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Rower attributes success to family

/Contributed photo Beth Brun

Mercyhurst College Lakers rower Beth Brun (second from right) in action. Brun was a 2007 Chaminade Julienne graduate. Contributed photo

Contributed photo Mercyhurst College Lakers rower Beth Brun (second from right) in action. Brun was a 2007 Chaminade Julienne graduate. Contributed photo

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By Mickey Zezzo, Contributing Writer 9:39 AM Wednesday, July 29, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — When it comes to family togetherness, Bethany Brun pulls her weight, both at home and in college as a rowing star.

As team captain, the 2007 Chaminade Julienne grad led the Mercyhurst College Lakers to the NCAA Division II finals at Cooper River in Camden, N.J., before losing to a D-II opponent Western Washington for the first time this season.

The junior-to-be at the scenic Erie, Pa., school, who maintained the CJ connection on the Lakers, also reigns as captain of the kid ship at home in Dayton, where she’s the oldest of seven (she rows in the No. 7 seat in the Laker boat) in the Beavercreek family of Peg and Randy Brun.

Helping to keep her in shape are the many family backyard kickball “battles” that reflect family love.

Brun, who recently turned 21, said, “We had a wonderful year at ’Hurst, but losing in the finals was tough. During the regular season we were unbeaten against D-II boats with our only setback coming at the hands of a D-1 foe, Grand Valley State.

“And to top it off, our coach (Adrian Sprecklen) was named D-II Coach of the Year. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy and wonderful coach.”

But Brun, who says her family has been a major inspiration in her career, also had high praise for her original coach, Mike Miles of the Dayton Boat Club, who was the rowing coach at the University of Dayton for many years.

“I was with the DBC all four years of high school and I just love Mike Miles — he’s the greatest,” said Brun, who was also a volleyball star/captain for the Eagles.

“He looks at boat composition and respects his rowers, was always open-minded and knows how to make you a good and competitive rower.”

Brun is majoring in religious studies and sociology with a minor in marriage and family studies.

Mercyhurst, ranked No. I in D-II heading into the Camden showdown, has kept an eye trained toward southwestern Ohio generally and CJ in particular since another CJ product, Lillian Gehres, helped the Lakers to an NCAA championship in 2004.

Peg and Randy Brun were married 24 years ago in Huber Heights, where they lived for five years. They are Carroll High School graduates. Dad was the band’s drum major and Mom the Patriots’ outstanding drill teamer in ’79.

Other family members of the Brun crew include 18-month-old Samuel, Kevin, 6; John Luke, 9; Michelle, 13; Emily, 17; and David, 19, who’ll be a sophomore at the University of Dayton.

Emily was CJ’s high-jump star, and finished fifth at state this past spring. David, a mechanical engineering major, was a volleyball regular at CJ.

Bethany’s working this summer as a teller at the Centerville branch of Citizen’s National Bank.

Contact this writer at 937-236-6032; mickeyz@zoomtown.com.

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