Throwers win individual titles at Outdoor Championships
Brady Fredericksen
Jun 9, 2011
Success has become the standard for the Grand Valley State University track and field team, and that was apparent at this past month at the 2011 Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Turlock, Calif.
The Lakers, led by junior throwers Liz Murphy and Lauren Buresh, jumped on the competition early and often during the three-day event, and won the women’s championship after finishing in third and fourth the last two years.
“Winning the team title and being part of a program that has just made history by winning cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track is something special that many individuals never get a chance to do,” said junior Lauren Buresh, who won the shot put. “I am so blessed that I had the opportunity to be part of that history and part of such a great program.”
Buresh’s win was decided early and often throughout the event. Her winning throw of 51 feet 7 inches came on her second toss of the day. Three of Buresh’s six throws were good enough to win the event, and her success in the shot put gave GVSU 10 points and helped them to pad their lead.
“Winning an individual title for the second time is truly a dream come true,” said Buresh, who also won an individual shot put title during indoor season. “It comes down to a lot of hard work, a great coaching staff and teammates that push you everyday in practice.”
That camaraderie amongst the team is something that the Lakers have used to their advantage all season. Teammate Liz Murphy also joined Buresh as a national champion, winning the hammer throw.
Murphy’s effort in the hammer throw helped give GVSU an early day one lead that they would not relinquish. Her first throw of 59 feet 11 inches proved to be the longest of the entire event, and good enough to give her the individual title.
“In a meet like this it’s important for everyone to perform well,” said Murphy. “Yeah, we were the No. 1 ranked team coming in, but nobody was just going to hand us the national title.
“We all knew if we gave it our best effort we would walk away with a third national title, and we did.”
The win marked the third national championship of the season for GVSU and a high point for an outdoor team that has been close, but not close enough, to a title during the last three seasons.
