Cisco leads SSU indoor track programs at Grand Valley State with NAIA National 'B' Standard in 5,000 meter run

ALLENDALE, Mich. -- It's no secret that Olivia Cisco is a disciplined and determined runner who continues to improve on a week-by-week basis.

The junior from Waverly continued to build on an outstanding calendar year -- as Cisco not only set a new personal best time in the 5,000 meter run, but won the 28-runner event and set a NAIA National 'B' Standard time in the process to begin her junior indoor track and field season in grand fashion Friday afternoon at the prestigeous Grand Valley State Holiday Open.

Cisco, who ran a 17:39.11 to win the 5,000 meter run by 1.85 seconds, beat seven NCAA Division II runners and set a massive personal best that was almost 19 full seconds faster than her previous personal best in a 5,000 meter run (17:58.43). Cisco was also the only runner in her heat to post a time better than 17:40 in doing so.

"Olivia Cisco has truly put together one of the best three-month spans that I've seen or coached, and deserves all of it," Conner Flynn, Shawnee State's Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, said. "Watching her hit her first-ever indoor standard was special. She continues to show up each time out, and that quality is undervalued in this sport."

Following Cisco, the men's program was well represented as Dylan French ran a 14:52.63 to finish sixth in his heat while sitting on the fringe of a NAIA National Standard time himself in an impressive run that has the senior well within grasp to pounce on a national standard at future meets. In doing so, French posted a personal best of over 35 seconds in his own 5,000 meter jaunt.

"Dylan capped off his fall semester with a third straight big day," Flynn said. "He's brought his running to a whole new level these past 30 days, and it's great to see."

Isaiah Lanoy, who nabbed a 14:56.42, finished 18th in his heat while Trevor Lanoy (15:08.29), Shawn Little (15:47.42) and Garrett Carver (16:15.32) all ran effectively to begin the year at GVSU. Isaiah Lanoy posted a personal best of nearly 13 full seconds while Lanoy, who posted a five-second improvement to nab his own new standard, and Carver, who PB'ed by nearly 38 full seconds, all showcased marked improvement from previous performances in the 5,000 meter run.

"Isaiah and Trevor were both trapped early and had to play catch up, but I am still proud of their fight despite that," Flynn said. "I have no doubt that those two will shine this track season. Garrett works as hard as anybody out there and is loved by his teammates. He's the kind of athlete that you can't help but root for."

More updates will be coming from the performances of the Shawnee State men's and women's track and field programs from Indiana Tech later this evening.