General | September 25, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will induct the 2019 Hall of Fame class on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Fetzer Center. The inductees will also be honored the following day on Saturday, Sept. 28 during halftime of Western Michigan football's game against Central Michigan. This week www.wmubroncos.com will take a closer look at each of our inductees: Shawn Faulkner (football), David Gennero (men's tennis), Frederika Girsang (women's tennis), Bill Horn (ice hockey), Shaylen Jackson (volleyball), and Jeff Zylstra (men's track & field and cross country).

Jeff Zylstra
Jeff Zylstra starred for the WMU men's track and field and cross country programs from 1975-79. Zylstra was a member of the 1977 MAC Champion cross country team. After that he went on to with a MAC Title in the 10k and the steeplechase in 1978, leading to being honored as the MAC Championship Most Outstanding Performer. He repeated as a MAC champion in the steeplechase in 1979. Zylstra was a two-time NCAA Championship qualifier in the steeplechase, making it to the finals in 1979. He also finished in second place in the steeplechase at the 1979 Penn Relays with a time of 8:42.6, the second-fastest in program history. 

Q&A With Jeff's Wife Jan

Q. What was Jeff's reaction when he found out he was being inducted? 
Thrilled - as this is something he talked about for years! His Bronco Cross & Track buddies were especially happy to get his nomination in and were able to visit and gather stats with him before he passed away. It's so great they wanted to help be a part of honoring him and his accomplishments!

Q. What were some of Jeff's favorite moments that he shared with you about his time at Western Michigan? 
Too many to count and email, however, he mentions in 'his' speech (I'm using from the GHS awards) that being competitive, made he and his teammates better individuals and included the chance to run all over the country.