Superior seniors lead women’s track

The PSU women’s track team is off to a great start this season. They recently won the women’s open at Sacramento State where they competed against 14 teams. Although the team, as a whole, has a good number of younger and talented members, there are a handful of seniors serving as the backbone of the team.

Although each senior member of the Viking women’s track team holds their own, they each bring confidence, skill and endurance to benefit their whole team. With excellent Big Sky marks and all-time PSU records, these Viking stars look to beat up on the rest of the Big Sky.

Lisa Gunderson is an Administration of Justice major who likes sports. Gunderson lettered in track (4 years), cross country (2), basketball (3), and swimming (1) at Wilson High School prior to coming to Portland State. Born March 20, 1982, this senior has already earned great marks as a member of the Viking women’s track team. In the 2002 track season, Gunderson earned the Big Sky Indoor All-Conference honors in the high jump. Gunderson also set the Portland State high jump record in 2002 at 5’10”. Gunderson is the Portland State long jump record holder, and was All-Big Sky Conference (outdoor) in 2001, 2002, and 2003, and All-Big Sky Conference (indoor) in 2002 and 2003.

Andrea Schwartz is a graphic design major who aspires to become a graphic designer for NIKE. Schwartz was born on July 13, 1982 in Portland, Oregon where she attended high school and lettered all four years in both cross-country and track. Schwartz is the 5000-meter indoor record holder for Portland State. In the 2002 cross-country season, Schwartz ran all seven of PSU’s competitions and placed 117th at the NCAA Western Regionals and 36th at the Big Sky Championships. In 2003 track season, Schwartz was the top 5000-meter runner during indoor track with a time of 20:28.03 at the Big Sky meet. In 2002 and 2003 seasons, Schwartz made Academic All-Big Sky Conference in cross-country, and in 2003, she made Academic All-Big Sky Conference for both indoor and outdoor.

Mandy Peterson is an Elementary Education major and aspires to become a teacher. Peterson was born April 24, 1982, just outside Eugene in Springfield, Oregon. Peterson spends her free time enjoying the outdoors and participating in such activities as kayaking, camping, and rock climbing. Peterson is currently the PSU steeplechase record holder. Prior to attending Portland State, Peterson was a two time All-American (1500m and 3000m) and most valuable player in track. Peterson is currently the record holder for the steeplechase at PSU. In the 2003 track season, Peterson set the best mark in school history (11:11.6) for the steeplechase at the Oregon Twilight Meet. She also ran the 800m and 1500m, logging the second-best time on the team. In the 2003 cross-country season, Peterson finished in 64th place with a time of 18:41 at the Willamette Invite. At the Big Sky meet, Peterson placed 42nd at 19:40 in the 5k.

Jenny Hansberry ��is majoring in Social Science and Elementary Education and aspires to become both an elementary school teacher and track coach. Born on December 18, 1981, her hobbies are horseback riding, basketball and outdoor activities. During the 2003 track season, Hansberry ran the 200 and 400 meters in indoor competition and ran the 100 hurdles, 400m and 400 hurdles in outdoor track. Hansberry had the best 400 hurdles time on the team (1:03.81) which also ranks fourth best on the schools all-time list. Prior to PSU, Hansberry was a 400m hurdles All-American in 2001 and 2002 at Spokane Community College.

Brady Randall is a Social Science-Pre-Education major. Born on January 17, 1982, Randall’s career goal is to graduate form PSU then get her masters in Special Education. Randall admires her family for their love and support and enjoys fishing, hunting, and playing piano. Prior to PSU, Randall attended Mt. Hood Community College, where she earned two letters in track and field as well as cross-country. Randall was the NWAACC champion and All-American in the 400m hurdles and 4×400 relay team her freshman year. Randall was also Female Athlete of the Year (2002) at Mt. Hood CC her sophomore year. During the PSU 2003 track season, Randall led the team during the indoor season with a time of 1:00.13 in the 400m and a time of 59.28 in the 400m during the outdoor season. Randall clocked 1:04.25 in the 400 hurdles – the second best time on the team and ranking fifth on the PSU all-time list. Randall placed eighth at the Big Sky Meet in 400 hurdles in 2003.