WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS

WMU News

2004 Air Race Classic 'flight log'

by Amanda Gruden and Sarah Tower

June 25, 2004

WICHITA, Kan.--We are back in Wichita! Yeah!

We landed in Wichita a little after 11 a.m. CDT. The first leg of our journey this morning started at 6:47 a.m. CDT from Sheboygan, Wis. It was the most calm ride we have had yet, we could see for miles. Hannibal, Mo., was a 20-minute stop on the ground, and off we went to Wichita. The ride was a little more bumpy this time, but still beautiful. The sun was shining the entire flight.

Sarah is already conjuring ideas for next year's race. She is looking forward to flying round robin from Purdue University. As for me this is my last race with WMU, and it was sentimental coming in for my last flyby today. I have enjoyed being a part of the whole experience. The race is gearing more towards younger women and more specifically the college environment. Everyone here has welcomed us with open arms and are glad that we are here. I will cherish the experiences and memories that I have gained from this race for a lifetime.

Last night at dinner we were listening to some of the women, who have been racing for many years, recollect previous races and their experiences. Just to see their enthusiasm after all these years really makes us appreciate all that they have done and overcome to make racing possible for us today.

We still have so much to learn from these women, but what we have already learned will stay with us now and in the future.

We are glad to be in Wichita so we can finally get some rest. The race does not officially end until tomorrow, and we won't know how we finished until Sunday evening. We will write when we know our final score and placing. The banquet is Monday, and Tuesday, we leave for Battle Creek.

--Amanda Gruden

Back to flight log

Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
269 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news