Statesboro’s Turena Johnson Lane Qualifies for 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials…
Now let’s help send her there!!

Picture courtesy of Statesboro Herald, 10/28/03

November 11, 2003

To everyone who supports running in our community and would like to sponsor Statesboro’s one and only potential participant in the 2004 Olympic Team for Marathon Running, Ms. Turena Johnson Lane,

I am thrilled to announce that Turena Johnson Lane has qualified to compete in the Olympic Trials in April 2004 in St. Louis! (click here to download the Statesboro Herald, 10/28/03 article). For those who have missed out on this special Statesboro talent, she and her husband, Todd Lane, are alumni of Luther College, class of '97 and '95, respectively. And both are coaches here at Georgia Southern University. Turena is the Head Cross Country Coach & Assistant Track Coach and Todd is the Head Track & Field Coach. Currently, Todd is working on a second master's degree at Georgia Southern, this one in Exercise Science. His first was in Sport Mgmt. Turena also works part time at Georgia Southern's Office of Volunteer Services.When she isn't coaching or working in Volunteer Services, Turena is busy training for a chance to compete in the 2004 Olympics, with Todd coaching her. Thus far their hard work has truly paid off with Turena qualifying to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials this coming April. She qualified by running her first marathon in Twin Cities, Minnesota this past October 5th, with an incredible time of 2:40:12. In April, Turena will compete for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for marathon running (26.2 miles). To get to the Olympic Trials, Turena and Todd will need to pay for everything themselves!

The Health Science Majors' Club and the Exercise Science Majors Club decided to have a raffle to raise money for Turena's trip in April. Our goal is $2000.00 dollars. The grand (and only) prize is $125.00 Gift Certificate from Athletic Attic in Statesboro Mall. Drawing will be on DEC. 4th (winner need not be present). It is just in time for Christmas!

PLEASE consider supporting this GREAT and MOMENTOUS happening.

Here's what you can do:

1. Buy tickets at $1.00 each. Email me at hgraf@georgiasouthern.edu and I will mail you as many tickets as you request. Remember every dollar makes a difference! Checks can be made out to the Health Science Major Club (ALL PROCEEDS will go to Turena), I will mail the raffle tickets to you. My address is Dr. Helen Graf, Georgia Southern, P.O. Box is 8076 Statesboro, GA 30460.

2. If you have groups or organizations willing to sell tickets, let me know.

3. If you know any groups I can contact for sponsorship - I am willing to follow up on the details.

Todd and Turena have NOT asked me to do this. In fact, I am sure they will be embarrassed. But when I asked Todd about making a personal donation, his reply was "I wouldn't turn down any money."

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Helen Graf

Dr. Helen M. Graf, CHES
Associate Professor, Georgia Southern
Health Science Program Coordinator
Dept. of Public Health
P.O. Box 8076
Statesboro, GA 30460-8076
(912) 681-5137
Fax: (912) 681-0381
Helen Graf <hgraf@georgiasouthern.edu>

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