5K in Potterville recalls, celebrates | lansingstatejournal.com | Lansing State Journal
5K in Potterville recalls, celebrates
Saturday event in memory of 4-year-old girl

Dick Hoekstra • For the Lansing State Journal • June 9, 2009 • From Lansing State Journal

One of the toughest things – and maybe even the hardest thing – that can happen to somebody in this life is to have one of their young children die.
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That happened to Dan and Julie Brunk, and they organized a race in memory of their daughter Ally.

She was four years old when she died in 2003 from the effects of Mitochondrial Disease, which inhibits the body’s ability to process vitamins and nutrients. These deficiencies made her susceptible to viruses.

Mitochondrial Disease attacks cells, prompting the body’s systems to fail.

The couple founded the Ally Brunk Memorial 5K in 2004 in part to raise funds for the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Saturday’s race begins at 9 a.m. near the Potterville Library, and is part of the town’s annual Gizzard Fest.

Carman-Ainsworth’s Rashad seeks second All-American track berth at NCAA Championships; Davison grad to compete for first time – Flint, Michigan Sports News – The Flint Journal – MLive.com
Carman-Ainsworth’s Rashad seeks second All-American track berth at NCAA Championships; Davison grad to compete for first time
by The Flint Journal
Tuesday June 09, 2009, 10:37 AM

Carman-Ainsworth graduate Ahmad Rashad is seeking All-American recognition for the second time in his collegiate track career this week at the NCAA Division 1 Championships Wednesday-Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Rashad, a University of Southern California junior, was an All-American as a freshman when he finished eighth in the 200-meter dash. Injuries forced him to miss last year’s meet.

Also competing are Grand Blanc graduate Geena Gall and Davison graduate Lisa Senakiewich.

Gall, a University of Michigan senior, is seeking a second straight 800 championship and and fourth top-five finish after taking fifth as a sophomore and fourth as a freshman. She is ranked second with a time of 2:02.29.

University of Michigan track athletes to compete at NCAA Championships this week – Michigan Wolverines Hockey and Other Sports – MLive.com
University of Michigan track athletes to compete at NCAA Championships this week
by John Heuser | The Ann Arbor News
Monday June 08, 2009, 9:07 AM

When University of Michigan senior sprinter Adam Harris broke the school record in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, coach Fred LaPlante said his first thought was this: It’s about time.

When University of Michigan senior sprinter Adam Harris broke the school record in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, coach Fred LaPlante said his first thought was this: It’s about time.

Zeeland East’s Nitz will be among athletes at Midwest track meet – MLive.com

Jeff Chaney | The Grand Rapids Press, June 09, 2009 2:42 a.m.
Zeeland East senior Sara Nitz won the Division 2 state title with a jump of 5-feet, 6 inches. – (Grand Rapids Press File Photo)
East Kentwood senior Tyrone Green will compete in the 100 meters and 400-meter relay at the Midwest Meet of Champions. – (Grand Rapids Press File Photo)

Sara Nitz set high goals for her senior high school track and field season.

The Zeeland East high jumper wanted to beat her personal best jump of 5 feet, 9 inches — a local record she set as a junior — and win a Division 2 state championship.

Nitz came up short on her first goal, but accomplished the second by winning the state title May 30 with a jump of 5-6.

She now has a chance to see how she stacks up against others top female jumpers in the Midwest on Saturday in the Midwest Meet of Champions at Jackson’s Withington Stadium.