Some sacrifices were made before Ferris’ track and field teams traveled to Central Michigan for their first indoor meet of the year.
Senior distance runner, Anna Rudd, was given news that her parents’ home burned down before she stepped up to the starting line in the Central Michigan Open at Mt. Pleasant.
“Everyone’s safe and that’s all that matters,” Rudd said. “Home is wherever we’re together.”
Rudd, a nursing major at Ferris, didn’t allow the news to phase her while on the track at CMU. She collected two first place finishes at the meet. She won the women’s mile out of 22 runners and women’s 3000 meter events in a field of 28.
“I wouldn’t run as fast as I do if I didn’t have one of my teammates there to push me,” Rudd said.
Rudd’s family was able to support her at CMU. Rudd’s teammates have welcomed her family with open arms, before knowing Rudd’s family as personally as the track and field team does now.
Rudd said she cherishes her close relationship with her team members and the support that Ferris Athletics and the track and field team have shown during this time of adversity.
“I can’t put into words how grateful my family and I are for what the team has done for us. Their strength and support is what helps me be strong for my family,” Rudd said.
Several fundraisers were put in place for the Rudd family when Ferris Athletics heard the news. The Rudd family will hope to have a new home built within 90 days.
Rudd acts as a veteran leader for the women’s track and field team. She has been named an All-American in both track and field, and cross country. During the 2011-12 campaign, Rudd garnered All-American laurels at the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championship Nov. 19 in Spokane, Wash.
“She is very devoted. She is an encouraging person,” Ferris freshman distance runner Erika Roe said.
Rudd then finished in fifth place May 24 at the 2012 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Pueblo, Colo, to earn All-American status on the track.
She will complete this year’s indoor season and then redshirt the outdoor campaign so Rudd has a full year of eligibility in each of her sports at Ferris next year.