Cross-country standout's feelings for sport run deep
By NANCY MORGAN
Published May 25, 2003
Erin Giesa (Northside Christian) has been running since she was 10. She has no plans of stopping despite completing a four-year cross-country career at Samford University.
"Running definitely gets into your blood," said Giesa, 22. "Through all the years I've run, I've never lost my love for it. I run because it helps me relax and helps me concentrate," she said. Giesa balanced an athletic career and academics to achieve success. She recently was recognized as Samford's NCAA Woman of the Year.
After stellar performances that sparked Northside Christian to three state championships, the distance runner added to her resume at Samford, an NCAA Division I school in Alabama.
As a freshman, Giesa was 11th in the Atlantic Sun Conference meet and just missed all-league selection. She produced four top-15 finishes in seven events her sophomore season and was outstanding as a junior in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter races.
Giesa completed her senior year with a seventh-place showing at conference. "It was definitely a change for me coming to college, even though Samford is a small school compared to others," Giesa said.
"I was used to racing among a group of 30 instead of in a pack of up to 300. I had to figure out how to run with that many and how to move through the pack." Giesa approached the classroom with the same drive. As a result, she was an All-American Academic Team selection.
She made the Dean's List several times and was a member of the All-Conference Academic Team all but one semester.
Giesa's 3.45 GPA (with one grade yet to be calculated) exemplifies her dedication. "It was hard to commit to too many things in the community because of school and our training schedule," Giesa said.
"We did some all-day activities where we helped out in the community, and it really felt good to be involved."
Giesa was a four-year member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus and served three years on the Student Advisory Committee. She credits teammates with helping her attain such success in running and appreciates the guidance from her parents, Pat and Dave. "One of the highlights of my years at Samford and my time on the team are the lifelong friendships I've made," Giesa said.
"Being the team captain this year was very special. I was the only senior on the team and with five freshmen. I had lots of opportunities to help show them the ropes.
"My parents have always been so supportive of me that it's allowed me to be confident with myself," she said.
Giesa, who majored in business management with a sociology degree, expects to begin work on an MBA at South Florida this fall.
Her summer plans are indefinite. But Giesa is certain of one thing - she will be running.
"I'm planning on doing the triathlon circuit this summer and probably the Disney Marathon," Giesa said.
"There's no way I can stop running, even after all the miles I've run. It's in my blood."
TRACK & FIELD: Alexis McGaffagan (Largo) was on the winning 4x400-meter relay team that clinched South Florida's first Conference USA outdoor championship. The Bulls' Jimmy Baxter (Boca Ciega), attempting a league high jump title three-peat, had to settle for third place.
South Florida's Christa Benton (Keswick Christian) was third in the Conference USA 10,000 meters.
SOFTBALL: Gardner-Webb outfielder Stephanie Shrum (Palm Harbor University) was selected for the Verizon Academic All-District III first team. The junior has a 4.0 GPA. Saint Leo sophomore second baseman Denyue Duncan (Dunedin) was picked for the All-Sunshine State Conference second team. South Florida's Holly Groves (Seminole/UAB) was an All-Region first-team selection. Courtney Lewellen (Seminole) made the second squad. Groves, a junior outfielder, blasted 12 home runs. Lewellen, a senior, recorded career highs in hits (70), RBIs (41) and homers (3).
Diana Korcak (Countryside/Central Florida CC) completed her junior season after leading Jacksonville in batting (.346). Freshman catcher Janine Polumbo (Palm Harbor University) was second (.326). Pitcher Katie Dobson (Palm Harbor University) had a .175 ERA.
Heather Jennings (Lakewood) was among the athletes recognized during the Randolph-Macon Woman's College banquet. The freshman was selected the team's most improved player and also swam for the Wildcats. BASEBALL: Left-handed pitcher Dustin Sode (East Lake) has 3 saves, a 2-1 record and 5.59 ERA for UNC at Asheville.
Central Connecticut State junior second baseman Keith Stegbauer (Seminole) was selected for the All-Northeast Conference second team. Boca Ciega graduates Brad Baker and Jacob Naumann finished the season with Upper Iowa University. Baker batted .330, and Naumann hit .300. Craig Dour (Tarpon Springs/South Carolina) has begun his first season as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Jackals in the Independent League. SWIMMING: North Florida freshman Mallory Coulombe (Seminole) swam to an All-Southern States team selection in the freestyle and backstroke. DIVING: North Florida junior Randi Edwards (Seminole) competed in the 1- and 3-meter events and was selected to the All-Southern States Conference squad.
TENNIS: Seth Fischer (Dunedin) reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament. Fischer competed in singles and doubles to help Oxford College finish fifth in the tourney in Dallas.
Senior Michael Murray (Thom Howard) scored a doubles point, helping Wake Forest win its first NCAA Tournament match, a 4-3 decision over Brown.
GYMNASTICS: Penn State senior Duke Van Vleet (Countryside) was redshirted after sustaining a season-ending injury in practice.
- News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namgamma@gte.net or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, Fla. 33756.
