Sports DIGEST : Memorial Scholarship Fund Planned in Honor of Runner

Plans are underway for the establishment of a Mara E. Lazdans Memorial Scholarship Fund, to honor the CSUN All-American cross-country runner who died Sunday in an automobile collision near Ontario.

Female track athletes studying to become physical educators and, specifically, women’s track coaches would be eligible for the scholarship that is pending approval from CSUN administrators.

“When Mara first came to school here, she was interested in physical therapy,” said CSUN track Coach Don Strametz. “But the more meets we attended, the more Mara realized that there were no women coaching the women’s teams. She had really decided that coaching was what she wanted to do.

“We used to talk a lot about coaching and coaching techniques. Mara spent time watching and listening to other coaches to broaden her own views.”

A memorial scholarship fund also is planned at Mira Costa College where Lazdans attended and participated in track.

“This scholarship would be available to a local girl like Mara, who is willing to do the extra work needed to become a good athlete,” Mira Costa track Coach Al Gilbert said. “The criteria wouldn’t emphasize the candidates’ talent. But, rather, her willingness to put in the extra ‘mile’ that was so characteristic of Mara.”

Peter Lazdans, Mara’s father, said he is happy his daughter’s memory will live on through the scholarships. “We like and support the efforts of Mara’s coaches and teamates in establishing these memorial scholarships,” he said.

Funeral services for Lazdans will be held Friday, at 10 a.m., at the Eternal Hills Mortuary,1999 El Camino Real Drive, in Oceanside.