Brandon senior Kelsey Carmean is now the second Blackhawk in as many years to join Oakland University’s women’s cross country and track teams.
Carmean signed a letter of intent with Oakland to compete in the two sports for the Golden Grizzlies. She joins former Brandon teammate Kayla Doan, now a freshman with Oakland’s women’s cross country and track teams.
Brandon girls cross country coach Janelle Gutzeit said Carmean narrowed her choices to Oakland and Central Michigan University before signing with the Golden Grizzlies.
‘They offered her more scholarship money, plus it’s closer to home and her old cross country coach (Rod Yeacker) is on the (Oakland) team as an assistant coach,? she said.
In addition, Gutzeit said Carmean’s friendships with Doan and two Goodrich High School students who will be joining the Golden Grizzlies next year (Kelsey Krych and Kelsey Meyers) helped sway her toward Oakland.
Oakland University women’s cross country and track coach Paul Rice said Carmean will be a good addition to the program.
‘We are very excited about Kelsey joining the Grizzlies,? he said. ‘She has the potential to make an immediate impact on our team. She has a tremendous work ethic and is well respected by other athletes. She will make a solid collegiate athlete.?
This season, Carmean was the Blackhawks? top finisher in each race, and her personal best time of 19:06 ranks second in Brandon girls? cross country history. She placed 35th in the state Division 2 cross country meet with a time of 19:21.