Eastern Michigan Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Gianna Salzbrunn, Women's Track and Field
4/14/2020 10:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field, General
EMU Athletics will recognize and share stories of the Class of 2020
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – An accomplished member of the 2020 senior class, co-captain Gianna Salzbrunn (North Aurora, Ill.-Montini Catholic) began her track and field career at EMU by competing in three events at the GVSU Holiday Open, Dec. 2, 2016, representing the Green and White in the 4x400-meter relay, high jump, and long jump.
Specializing in multis during her time with the Eagles, Salzbrunn took part in the pentathlon at four straight Mid-American Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning top-10 finishes in each of the last three seasons. She also competed in the long jump at the 2020 conference meet as Eastern earned its second MAC indoor title in three years. In the spring, Salzbrunn competed in the heptathlon and javelin throw at three consecutive MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In all, Salzbrunn earned three consecutive top-10 finishes in the heptathlon, and ranked 10th in the javelin throw at the 2019 conference meet with a personal-best distance of 38.48 meters.
Reflecting on her track and field career, Salzbrunn penned a letter to the sport. "Dear Track & Field, 10 years ago when I first walked onto the limestone track at Yorkville Middle School, I never imagined the places we would go together. If I could go back and tell 12-year-old Gianna just half of it, she wouldn't believe me. She wouldn't've been able to wrap her head around the championships, the PRs, the friendships, the mentors. She just wanted to run, and run fast. She didn't know how far she would go.
Track & Field, I fell in love with you at Montini Catholic High School. We had fun, made a lot of friends, gained amazing mentors (hi Pete and Coach Casey), and even won a few races. I could see how much you played a role in my life, but I didn't appreciate you fully. I thought just committing to Eastern Michigan was the biggest step we would take together, but I was wrong.
At Eastern, you pushed me hard. You challenged me in ways I had never been challenged before, and I almost broke a few times. But with every workout I thought I couldn't finish, and every competition where I didn't do what I wanted, you were building something greater. You were building a base of confidence, capability, and fortitude. I am endlessly thankful you led me to Eastern. The culture of hard work, excellence, and passion present here is very hard to find. That, paired with the constant support of my coaches, Assistant Coach Evan Brusich, Assistant Head Coach Chris Best, and Head Coach Sue Parks, and the rest of the Athletic Department, built the perfect home for me.
I was recently reflecting on my career and realized you have given me so much love these last 10 years, and I'm finally truly loving you back for what you really are. I see all that has come from you- not just the times or the marks or the rings- but the character I've developed, the patience I've had to practice, the people I've gotten to meet and form connections with, the different places I've gotten to go, and the education I have gotten because of you.
Saying goodbye to you is not easy. You are a big piece of me and helped in the formation of some big parts of my identity. I will always think back on our time together with thanks and appreciation. I promise I will take these lessons you've drilled into me to my next adventure, and do my very best to teach them to my children, but I know they'll never fully understand until they find a love as I have in you. So, this will be my last time saying this as an Eagle. Thank you, Track & Field. I had an unbelievable time with you."
In addition to her on-track accomplishments, Salzbrunn was a three-time Indoor Academic All-MAC honoree and a two-time Outdoor Academic All-MAC recipient. She will be graduating with a degree in sport management.
Specializing in multis during her time with the Eagles, Salzbrunn took part in the pentathlon at four straight Mid-American Indoor Track and Field Championships, earning top-10 finishes in each of the last three seasons. She also competed in the long jump at the 2020 conference meet as Eastern earned its second MAC indoor title in three years. In the spring, Salzbrunn competed in the heptathlon and javelin throw at three consecutive MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In all, Salzbrunn earned three consecutive top-10 finishes in the heptathlon, and ranked 10th in the javelin throw at the 2019 conference meet with a personal-best distance of 38.48 meters.
Reflecting on her track and field career, Salzbrunn penned a letter to the sport. "Dear Track & Field, 10 years ago when I first walked onto the limestone track at Yorkville Middle School, I never imagined the places we would go together. If I could go back and tell 12-year-old Gianna just half of it, she wouldn't believe me. She wouldn't've been able to wrap her head around the championships, the PRs, the friendships, the mentors. She just wanted to run, and run fast. She didn't know how far she would go.
Track & Field, I fell in love with you at Montini Catholic High School. We had fun, made a lot of friends, gained amazing mentors (hi Pete and Coach Casey), and even won a few races. I could see how much you played a role in my life, but I didn't appreciate you fully. I thought just committing to Eastern Michigan was the biggest step we would take together, but I was wrong.
At Eastern, you pushed me hard. You challenged me in ways I had never been challenged before, and I almost broke a few times. But with every workout I thought I couldn't finish, and every competition where I didn't do what I wanted, you were building something greater. You were building a base of confidence, capability, and fortitude. I am endlessly thankful you led me to Eastern. The culture of hard work, excellence, and passion present here is very hard to find. That, paired with the constant support of my coaches, Assistant Coach Evan Brusich, Assistant Head Coach Chris Best, and Head Coach Sue Parks, and the rest of the Athletic Department, built the perfect home for me.
I was recently reflecting on my career and realized you have given me so much love these last 10 years, and I'm finally truly loving you back for what you really are. I see all that has come from you- not just the times or the marks or the rings- but the character I've developed, the patience I've had to practice, the people I've gotten to meet and form connections with, the different places I've gotten to go, and the education I have gotten because of you.
Saying goodbye to you is not easy. You are a big piece of me and helped in the formation of some big parts of my identity. I will always think back on our time together with thanks and appreciation. I promise I will take these lessons you've drilled into me to my next adventure, and do my very best to teach them to my children, but I know they'll never fully understand until they find a love as I have in you. So, this will be my last time saying this as an Eagle. Thank you, Track & Field. I had an unbelievable time with you."
In addition to her on-track accomplishments, Salzbrunn was a three-time Indoor Academic All-MAC honoree and a two-time Outdoor Academic All-MAC recipient. She will be graduating with a degree in sport management.
Players Mentioned
Multis
/ Women's Track & FieldNew Outdoor Track & Field Facility Ribbon Cutting
Tuesday, September 23
Track & Field at 2025 Spartan Invitational
Tuesday, April 08
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Cinematic Recap
Wednesday, March 05
2025 MAC Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 1 Highlights
Saturday, March 01