Lisa Brindley
Alma College
Former Falcon Lisa Brindley runs in a cross country race at the Disney Sports Complex in Orland, Florida for Alma College this past season.

ALMA COLLEGE - Lisa Brindley, one of two repeat recipients of this year's Dwayne Rau Memorial scholarships for Ogemaw Heights track and field alumni, continued to stretch herself both athletically and academically this past year.

The former Falcon pole vaulter, while tying her personal-best in the pole vault (8-0) this past year, also increased the number of running events in which she raced as well as competing on the cross country team for the first time.

"My second track season (was) a little up and down," she said in her scholarship application. "I tied my PR (personal record) in the pole vault and came within a second of of breaking my all-time PR in the 800."

As for her first cross country experience, "My times were not astonishing," she said. "I feel it was an accomplishment in itself to be on a college cross country team."

Brindley has found that the work ethic developed in track and cross country has taken root into other areas of her life.

"Many people who do well in school are runners," she said. "I am sure there is some correlation with (people who are) dedicated runners in school and their degree of success in life. This attitude starts as a kid, but carries with you as long as there is a finish line ahead of you. Even after you cross the finish line, there is another race."

The college experience itself has been such a race.

"I've had many amazing experiences as a college athlete," she said. "I have taken free trips to places like Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. I have, for the first time in my life, run on a cross country team. I've made many friends that I probably wouldn't have if it wasn't for this sport.

"It's a lot like high school in that respect, but you spend a lot more time with them (in college). Longer trips, longer practices and bus rides, you even live with them. You train together in the off-season, you hang out together whenever your college schedule permits it. Knowing the older athletes provides role models and sources for help on those tough college classes."

Brindley found that closeness was even more pronounced in cross country than in track.

"It's absolutely amazing how much closer a cross country team is than a track team," she said. "With a track team you have divisions by the events you do and you have different practice schedules and routines.

"With cross country, everyone is a distance runner, everyone has tendonitis somewhere, everyone needs an ice bath, and everyone by the end of the season doesn't want to run any more. The team is a lot smaller and so bonding is a lot easier and stronger.

"My only regret is that I didn't do it my first year here at Alma College."

Brindley is majoring in Exercise and Health Science - pre-physical therapy and currently carries a 3.7 GPA. She'll be competing in cross country again in the fall, but her track career will be on hiatus in the spring as she travels to Australia as part of a study-abroad program.

"I feel that being a runner -- being a track athlete -- has changed who I am and will always be a part of me," Brindley said. "As long as I live I will consider myself a runner ...I wish everybody could carry that into their adult life. I have no regrets about becoming a track athlete and I would not change that for the world. Whenever I go for a run, years from now, I believe that I will always hear the words of coaches in my head and see my fellow teammates cheering me on.

"Once a runner, always a runner."

 

Scholarship fund boosts educational opportunities for Ogemaw track alumni

Each year, money is raised through the Dwayne Rau Memorial Road Race / Walk that benefits Ogemaw Heights track and field alumni who have moved on to compete in college. This year, three scholarships of $500 will be awarded. The recipients are Lisa Brindley (Alma College), Mike McGregor (Central Michigan University) and Jessica Rutherford (McNeese State / Michigan State Universities). Profiles of each of the recipients will be published in the coming weeks.

Donations to the scholarship fund are tax deductible. Individuals or businesses interested may contact Margie Taylor (989-345-0901) or Doug Grezeszak (989-345-1088).

The seventh annual Dwayne Rau Memorial Road Race / Walk will be run Saturday, Aug. 11.