02.19.10

Sophomore thrower Jake Maloney embraces senior thrower Charity Sunderman after she threw her second consecutive record-breaking throw of 62 feet, 6 inches, which broke Kari Taylor’s record, 60 feet, 6 and one-half inches, by nearly two full feet. The toss made Sunderman an NCAA Provisional qualifier for the first time in her career. "It didn't hit me right away," she said. "But once I realized I broke the school record, I was like 'Oh my God! I totally just did that.' It's like the best day of my life."

02.18.10

Friendship.

02.12.10

Lansing freshman Virginia Bernero is the daughter of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who has announced running for governor of Michigan recently. "It's going to be very hectic, but very exciting," Virginia Bernero said. "It's definitely a new chapter in our lives."

02.11.10

Gymnastics Coach Jerry Reighard and his wife Nancy, assistant gymnastics coach, laugh while fighting over a piece of foam in the foam pit at the gymnastics practice room Thursday in Rose Arena. The two met in 1972: Nancy on the women's gymnastics team at CMU; Jerry on the men's team. Every day after practice, Jerry walked Nancy home to her dorm room in Sweeney Hall. The two have been married for 36 years. "I was in love with her. That's why I did it," Jerry said. "And I still love her just as much today. I just know her a bit better now, that's all."

02.07.10

02.06.10

Seven-year-old Sophia Putman, of Allendale, smiles as she takes a break from activties, sitting on the ground watching others play inflatable games and make music videos. Putman's face was painted, but she said she wasn't really a fan until she saw the final result. "I didn't know what I wanted, so she gave me makeover in her own way. I didn't have a clue what to expect, but I love it," Putman said.

02.03.10

01.31.10

Westland junior Dessi Tzankova, right, flips through the pages of a commemorative Elvis Presley book, reading facts of his life and looking at pictures of the singer with Renee Ringel, a 45-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, at her home Sunday afternoon. Elvis is Ringel's favorite musician. Tzankova and Ringel were paired through the Best Buddies program, a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "Renee is outgoing, fun-loving, caring, talkative and actually sometimes shy," Tzankova said. "Everywhere we go, someone knows her by name. She make a big impact on people."