Balczak took first place in hgh jump.

Justin Balczak, a 2011 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, and freshman this year at Lake Superior State University, earned the title of All-American for finishing third in the men’s decathlon at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Colorado State-Pueblo last weekend.

Balczak competed in 10 events over a two-day period, setting six personal records. On day one he placed first in the high jump (6-08.25 – a personal record); placed third in the shot put (42-04.25 – a personal record); fourth in the 400-meter dash (50.33); fifth in the 100m dash (11.30 – a personal record) and seventh in the long jump (21-06.75).

He finished day one in third place overall, with 5 events to go on Friday, and stayed consistently strong.

On day two, Balczak finished second in the high hurdles (14.54 – a personal record); third in the discus (129-4 – a personal record); third in the javelin (172.07 – a personal record); ninth in the 1500m run (5.09:21); and tenth in the pole vault (12-.05.5).

Patrick Smith of Chico State won the decathlon with 7,366 points, followed by Darius Walker of Central Missouri State with 7,185 and Balczak with 7,072.

While in high school, Balczak was a state champion in the 110m high hurdles and holds school records in the high hurdles, 300m low hurdles, and the 800m relay. He is the son of Mark and Ann Balczak of Cedar Springs.

Congratulations, Justin!

Tyler Emmorey (class of 2007) and Justin Balczak (class of 2011) have both qualified for the NCAA Division II National Indoor Track and Field Finals to be held at Minnesota State-Mankato on March 9-10. Emmorey, competing in his last year at Grand Valley State University, qualified in the men’s 5000m run with at time of 4:19.88. He is seeded tenth in the nation in DII. Tyler is no stranger to the NCAA Finals as he qualified during the cross-country season for the Lakers and has been a steeple chase qualifier in his previous outdoor seasons during his five year collegiate career. This will be Tyler’s last competition as a collegiate athlete, as he has no eligibility remaining.

Balczak, competing for Lake Superior State University, is ranked third in the nation, and top freshman, in the decathlon event. Justin must compete in seven events against twelve other athletes over the two-day meet. They include the 60m dash, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault and the 1,000m run. Justin claims that the two days of events is much more demanding on the body and mind than he ever thought it would be. He credits his success to quality coaching at Lake State, including up to five-hour practices. This spring, he will periodically compete in the decathlon during the outdoor season.

During both of their high school careers, Emmorey was a state qualifier in the 3200m run and in cross-country, while Balczak was a state champion in the 110m high hurdles and holds school records in the high hurdles, 300m low hurdles, and the 800m relay.

The Grand Valley State men’s cross country team had another banner season, matching the program’s best finish at the NCAA Division II National Championship with a third place result in Spokane, Wash. The team won its 10th straight GLIAC Championship and their 10th straight NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship with their performances towards the end of the season. Senior Anthony Witt was named both the GLIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year and USTFCCCA Midwest Region Athlete of the Year after finishing in first place at both events.

Senior Tyler Emmorey (Cedar Springs, Mich.) was consistently at the top of the results in every event he ran this season.

Emmorey finished second at the Notre Dame Invite with a time of 25:01, second at the GLIAC Championships in a time of 25:28.72, second at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional with a time of 32:00.6, just two seconds behind the winner, fourth at the MSU Spartan Invite with a time of 24:34 and fifth at the Penn State National Invitational with a time of 26:29.

At the NCAA Division II National Championship, Emmorey finished in eighth and was the highest finishing Laker in the event, completing the course in a time of 31:25.0, just 40 seconds behind the national champion. He was honored as both a USTFCCCA All-Region runner as well as an All-American.