For the second time in program history, Grand Valley State University’s women’s basketball team won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championship. Making history on Friday, March 28, the Lakers achieved the highest honor in Division II women’s college basketball. The last time GVSU went to the championship was in 2006.

The Lakers began their championship journey on Monday, March 24 by competing in the NCAA Elite Eight against Gannon University. This was the third time in the last 10 seasons that the Lakers competed in the Elite Eight, and the third time advancing to the Final Four after defeating Gannon, 60-32. With a day’s rest, the Lakers took the Final Four win, 68-61, against Pittsburgh State on Wednesday, March 26 after a hard-fought, nail-biting match up.

After spending time in Pittsburgh adapting to the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse court, the Lakers found themselves in the final championship game against California State University, Dominguez Hills. In support of the big game, Laker Nation took over the fieldhouse, as GVSU supplied transportation for students, the marching band, cheerleaders and family. Additionally, other University athletic groups, such as the football and women’s volleyball teams, shared various posts of support and encouragement on Instagram.

“The support (from Laker Nation) has been like no other, and they truly love being there to support us,” said redshirt senior guard Ellie Droste. “Having them at the game on Friday was a game changer. I truly think they shifted the momentum of that game and were able to get in the other team’s head a bit.”

By 7 p.m. on Friday, reality was setting in. Despite the Lakers’ 38-2 record this year, which is also the most single season wins in program history, the championship game was the ultimate test.

To read more from Tori Byrne on this historic victory, click here.

GV track and field shatters records at home meet

The Grand Valley State University track and field teams competed in their first outdoor home meet of the season from Friday, April 4 to Saturday, April 5. There were plenty of notable moments from the weekend, none bigger than school records being broken.

The meet kicked off with sprints and hurdles, where GVSU saw plenty of success. In the 110m, two men and three women for the Lakers qualified for finals. In the finals, senior Ethan Smith finished first with a time of 14.60. For the women, all three runners finished in the top five. Junior Destini Dorkins led the way by running a 14.35, beating her personal record.

In the 100m, GVSU had five men and three women competing in the finals. Graduate student Myles Rhodes led the way for the men with a first place finish. Rhodes ran a 10.48, which tied his personal record. Second and third place also belonged to the Lakers, thanks to freshmen Jacob Machiniak and Desmond Chapa, respectively.

Women’s first, second and third place all belonged to the Lakers. Freshman Claire Neumann ran a personal best, which placed her first. Sophomore Catherine Guckenberger placed second and senior Melia Williams rounded it out at third.

Click here to read more from Griffin Missant on this first meet for the outdoor track and field season.

GV swim and dive secures first win of the semester

On Saturday, Jan. 11, Grand Valley State University’s swim and dive team competed against the Wayne State University Warriors at home. The Lakers came out on top, with leading scores in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The final score for the women was 215 to the Warriors’ 84, in addition to the men’s lead of 207 to 93.

The Lakers had standout performances across the board. Sophomore diver Macy Polasek displayed skill in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. In the 1-meter, Polasek came in first, which awarded nine points to the Lakers’ final score. During the 3-meter event, Polasek attempted a new dive, securing her third place in the event.

“Macy Polasek’s forward 3 ½ somersault is a new dive and she performed it very well,” said Steve Burciaga, both the men’s and women’s diving head coach.

In addition to strong diving performances, the women had other notable accomplishments in the pool– the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay. The Lakers triumphed in both events, securing a combined 22 points toward the team’s final score.

To read more from Arianna Westbrooks on the swim and dive team’s victory against Wayne State, click here.

GV women’s wrestling debuts at home against Northern Michigan

In front of a packed crowd at the Fieldhouse Arena, the Grand Valley State University women’s wrestling team debuted their inaugural dual against Northern

Michigan University, dominating their way to a win, 42-6.

Kicking things off for the Lakers was 160-pound junior Clarissa Agostini. She quickly scored her first points with a takedown over Sophia Bassino from NMU. Agostini maintained her early lead into the second period, where she scored four points from a takedown that resulted in her opponent being controlled on their back. Another quick takedown put Agostini up by 10 points, giving her the win by technical fall, 14-4.

Following GVSU scoring their first official points, 180-pound freshman Sabrina Nauss used her overpowering strength to quickly pin her opponent in only one minute and 40 seconds.

Off to a good start, 207-pound freshman Aaliyah Grandberry took the mat next for the Lakers. A strong first period put Grandberry up 7-0, but a quick pin by her opponent gave the Wildcats their only points of the duel. 103-pound junior Rayana Sahagun received an easy, automatic win for GVSU, as Northern Michigan then forfeited the match.

Click here to read more from Brady Kemmerling on the debut of the new women’s wrestling program.

The Grand Valley State University football team hosted their biggest rival, Ferris State University, in a packed Lubbers Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 26. Despite the Lakers’ confidence going into the game, Ferris controlled all four quarters. GVSU fell to the Bulldogs 34-7, giving the Lakers their first loss of the season.

From the very beginning, many fans could feel the energy in the air– there was something off about this game. Students waited in line for hours just to get inside, the cheerleaders showed up late and even the players themselves had a delayed arrival.

This game being against Ferris only added to the chaotic atmosphere. If there was any question as to whether these schools truly despise each other, look no further than GVSU players gesturing that the Bulldogs stunk while running out of the tunnel. While funny in the moment, this overconfidence came to bite the Lakers later on.

Read more of Griffin Missant’s coverage on GVSU’s shocking defeat against Ferris State here.

GV cross country earns over 25 personal records at Joe Piane Notre Dame Invite

The Grand Valley State University’s men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, which saw over 25 Lakers earn their personal bests.

Oct 4. marked the first time GVSU’s cross country teams have attended Notre Dame’s invitational in over a decade. The teams ran in four of the six races– the Women’s Blue 5k, the Men’s Blue 8k, the Women’s Open 5k and the Men’s Open

8k. The teams saw success in all four of these races. Of the nine total Lakers who ran in the Women’s Blue 5k, each of them finished with a personal record, with senior Abby Olson placing first for the women’s team. Olson finished with a time of 16:59.2, landing in forty-ninth place of 191 racers.

The Lakers saw similar success in the Men’s Blue 8k. The top five racers for GVSU all earned personal bests. Leading the pack was senior Caleb Futter who placed sevente

enth out of 166 runners. He finished the race with 22:58.6 as his new record.

Read more of Ethan Outman’s coverage of GVSU cross country’s success at the Notre Dame Invite here.

GV men’s DI hockey club sweeps Western Michigan in home, away games

The No. 21 ranked Grand Valley State University Division I men’s hockey club faced off against the Western Michigan University Stallions on Friday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 23. The first game of the competition was away, in Stallion territory, and the second was at home.

Going into the doubleheader, the Lakers were fourth in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Great Lakes Six Conference, with an 8-4 record. However, the Lakers were on a two-game losing streak to local rivals Calvin (1-4) and Davenport (1-7). Undergoing the tough losses, the team also had five injuries within the two games– one being junior captain Carson Wood. With multiple injuries and half the season gone, the Lakers were luckily granted a bye week, due to facility issues at Ohio University. The time off gave the Lakers the ability to heal their injuries and regroup after their losses.

Coming off the losing streak and the bye week, third-year head coach Matthew Sekosan expressed that team members have been having conversations regarding positioning and strengths.

“We are on this teetering point of either going toward our successful route or going in the route no team wants to go,” said Sekosan. “The games where we’ve been the most successful (are) when we’re the loosest and having the most fun as a group.”

Read more on Tori Byrne’s coverage of GVSU’s men’s DI club hockey team here.

GV volleyball triumphs over Saginaw Valley, Lake Superior State in three set sweeps

Grand Valley State University’s volleyball team swept Lake Superior State University and Saginaw Valley State University 3-0 in both of their games this weekend.

On Friday, Sept. 27, the GVSU Lakers dominated against LSSU with a 3-0 sweep. They won their sets with scores of 25-19, 25-18 and 25-22. This win for the Lakers counted as their thirty-fifth consecutive victory over LSSU, with the record dating back to 2002.

With GVSU’s current dominant record and ranking, teams such as LSSU can easily be brushed off by the Lakers. However, the team’s head coach Jason Johnson feels that regardless of the opponent’s record, playing away games is essential to being a skilled team.

“No matter what the record of a team might be, travel is a great equalizer,” Johnson said. “You must go and play in someone else’s gym, and manage what their strengths are. We still have a lot to work on and get better at, so every match we play is another opportunity to do that.”

Read more of Arianna Westbrook’s coverage on the two sweeps by GVSU women’s volleyball here.

GV women’s wrestling debuts at home against Northern Michigan

In front of a packed crowd at the Fieldhouse Arena, the Grand Valley State University women’s wrestling team debuted their inaugural dual against Northern Michigan University, dominating their way to a win, 42-6.

Kicking things off for the Lakers was 160-pound junior Clarissa Agostini. She quickly scored her first points with a takedown over Sophia Bassino from NMU. Agostini maintained her early lead into the second period, where she scored four points from a takedown that resulted in her opponent being controlled on their back. Another quick takedown put Agostini up by 10 points, giving her the win by technical fall, 14-4.

Following GVSU scoring their first official points, 180-pound freshman Sabrina Nauss used her overpowering strength to quickly pin her opponent in only one minute and 40 seconds.

Off to a good start, 207-pound freshman Aaliyah Grandberry took the mat next for the Lakers. A strong first period put Grandberry up 7-0, but a quick pin by her opponent gave the Wildcats their only points of the duel. 103-pound junior Rayana Sahagun received an easy, automatic win for GVSU, as Northern Michigan then forfeited the match.

Read more of Brady Kemmerling’s coverage on the first home match for the new women’s wrestling program here.

Oct 4. marked the first time GVSU’s cross country teams have attended Notre Dame’s invitational in over a decade. The teams ran in four of the six races– the Women’s Blue 5k, the Men’s Blue 8k, the Women’s Open 5k and the Men’s Open 8k. The teams saw success in all four of these races.

Of the nine total Lakers who ran in the Women’s Blue 5k, each of them finished with a personal record, with senior Abby Olson placing first for the women’s team. Olson finished with a time of 16:59.2, landing in forty-ninth place of 191 racers.

The Lakers saw similar success in the Men’s Blue 8k. The top five racers for GVSU all earned personal bests. Leading the pack was senior Caleb Futter who placed seventeenth out of 166 runners. He finished the race with 22:58.6 as his new record.

Building off their first two races, all four of Grand Valley’s racers in the Women’s Open 5k earned their personal records. The top finisher for the Lakers in this race was junior Madison Ebright with a time of 17:57.8. Having four women all run their best times meant that every single runner from the GVSU women’s cross country team earned a PR at the invitational.

The men followed this up with all seven of GVSU’s racers earning their personal records in the Men’s Open 8k. Senior Patrick Lyell led the Lakers in this race, with a time of 24:21.1. The impressive run earned him twenty-second place.

Among the racers who achieved their personal bests was redshirt junior Colin Hanson, who shared the mentality needed to earn a PR.

“I just try to make sure my mind is in a calm place, so I’ll listen to some chill music,” said Hanson. “I just remind myself that all the hard work is done at that point, I just have to be mentally ready to put it together in the race.”

Hanson admitted to having some nervousness right before the race.

“The pre-race nerves are always going to be there, but you learn to use that as an advantage rather than a detriment,” Hanson said. “You have to acknowledge that it’s going to hurt pretty bad at some point in the race, and just be mentally ready to embrace that.”

Although Hanson was able to maintain this mindset and achieve a PR of 25:10.0 in the Men’s Open 8k, he took little time to revel in his success, and remains focused on the future.

“(I) just enjoy it for a little bit, and move onto the next race,” said Hanson.”Really, the end goal is preparing for nationals and seeing how good we can be both individually and as a team.”

The teams hope to build onto their momentum when they compete in the Lewis Crossover Invite in Romeoville, Illinois and the Muskegon Jayhawk Invite, both on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Coming off a largely successful home opener win against Central State University 58-0, the Lakers returned their vintage blue uniforms for their white jerseys, hoping to build off their start-of-season momentum against the Thunderwolves.

Both teams were undefeated coming into the matchup, with the Lakers having won against Central and the Thunderwolves having won two games against the South Dakota Mines 35-6 and the University of Texas Permian Basin 40-23. The winning streak of both teams was at stake during the game.

The last time the Lakers competed against the Thunderwolves was September 2023 during a home game. The game was competitive, lasting over three and a half hours, and going into double overtime. The matchup concluded in a 57-49 win for the Lakers. Since GVSU had played CSU Pueblo in their last season, the Lakers were aware of the Thunderwolves’ aggressive, passing playing style, and were able to prepare for the game accordingly.

The Lakers dominated the entire first half of Saturday’s game. The team locked down CSU Pueblo and was able to capitalize on any mistakes their opponent made.

Immediately after CSU Pueblo’s first possession, GVSU went on a 78-yard drive, which ended in the first touchdown of the game. 47 of these yards were headed by sophomore running back Khalil Eichelberger.

The Lakers followed this up with another impressive drive that ended in a 24-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Kellen Reed. 

After closing out both touchdowns with successful point-after attempts by freshman redshirt kicker Matthew Bacik, the Lakers ended the first quarter with a 14-0 lead.

In the beginning of the second quarter, Bacik continued his success with a 41-yard field goal, giving the Lakers a total of 17 points on the scoreboard. The first half ended in a 17-0 lead for GVSU.

Khalil Eichelberger shared that offensive’s strategy for the game’s first half was to dominate in specific aspects of the matchup.

“(The strategy was to) be the more physical team,” Eichelberger said. “Dominate up front, in the back field and in the pass game, since they played a lot of man-to-man coverage.”

The GVSU offense wasn’t the only success story on the field. The defensive line was also able to shut down any rushing yards from CSU Pueblo. At the end of the game, the Thunderwolves were only able to get 68 rushing yards, compared to the Lakers’ whopping 239 rushing yards.

This accomplishment on the defensive line was what allowed GVSU’s offense to earn a 17-point lead in the first half.

Eichelberger noted that the defensive line’s contributions allow the rest of the team to have confidence in their ability to win.

“The defensive line did amazing per usual,” Eichelberger said. “It’s one of those things where we can sit back and relax because we know they (the defensive line) will win.”

Despite the Lakers’ tremendous success in the first half, CSU Pueblo was able to close in on the 17-point lead in the second half. In the third quarter, the Thunderwolves completed one successful touchdown, closing the gap 17-7.

However, the Lakers were able to follow this up with their own touchdown, bringing the score to 24-7 by the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Thunderwolves were able to take control of the field, scoring another two touchdowns and ending the fourth quarter with 14 points added, resulting in a 24-21 score. Despite their attempts in the final quarter of the game, the Thunderwolves’ offensive strategy was no match for the strong lead that the Lakers were able to establish in the first quarter. The game ended in a second straight win for GVSU, and first away-game win of the season 24-21, ending the Thunderwolves winning streak.

Despite the win, Eichelberger observed that the team wasn’t up to its usual standard. Looking to use the experience as a boost forward, he emphasized his excitement for the season’s coming games. 

“I thought we played a solid game, nowhere near our best brand of Grand Valley football,” said Eichelberger. “We have so much left in store and (we’re) just looking forward to keep building on that and preparing for the next game.”

The Lakers will be looking to continue their winning streak in their second home game of the season at Lubbers Stadium. The matchup will be on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Incoming freshman Esteban Núñez del Prado competed at the 2024 Olympics, representing his country, Bolivia. Competing in heat one of the men’s 200-meter individual medley against competitors from Paraguay and Seychelles, he placed third with a time of 2:08:10, ranking twenty-third overall.

Following the 2024 Olympics, he will be part of the GVSU swimming and diving team.

“We’ve never had someone (from the GVSU swimming and diving team) compete in the Olympic games before,” said Head Coach Andrew Boyce.

Being the first Olympian to join the team, Núñez del Prado is already making waves at GVSU.

Núñez del Prado’s recruitment process looked quite different from recruitment for an athlete residing in Michigan. For Núñez del Prado, he first heard about GVSU from a friend at the University.

“I talked with a friend and he told me how good (everything is) there, so I talked with the coach and he was a super nice person,” Núñez del Prado said.

Boyce noted that the recruitment process is often a different experience for everyone.

“We do a lot of Zoom meetings and phone calls, but with Esteban in particular, he had a friend on the team that told him about the school,” Boyce said. “We just went from there, and the rest is history.” 

It was as simple as that, and the Bolivian Olympic athlete had his attention turned out of the country and towards Allendale, Michigan. 

The GVSU Men’s swimming and diving team currently holds 13 GLIAC titles. This past February, the team secured their tenth consecutive win, finishing with a total of 915 points. 

In a sport like swimming, it is important to have a strong team dynamic. Boyce is hoping that the addition of Núñez del Prado to the team will have a positive impact on the group’s dynamic and enhance their overall success.

“We continue to strive to be one of the top teams in Division II,” said Boyce. “We have a lot of athletes that push each other to be the best they can be. I think with an athlete at his caliber, he will know how to push the team and himself to the best of their abilities, and I can’t wait to see how he interacts with the students on campus and the team as well.”

Núñez del Prado competing in the Olympics will bring an entirely new perspective to the team dynamic.

“(The Olympics) are completely different (from) any other competition I have been to,” Núñez del Prado said.

Núñez del Prado will be bringing a lot of knowledge from the international competition to the GVSU swimming and diving team, but even with this life-changing experience, he hopes to learn even more during his time here. 

“I hope to learn how to manage my schedule as (well) as possible and make great friends,” said Núñez del Prado.

Many students and supporters in the GVSU community are excited to see the impact that Núñez del Prado leaves on the University. On an Instagram post made by the swim and dive team, one of the comments reads, “This makes me so proud to be a GV swim alum!”

For Núñez del Prado, his time on campus is just as important as his time on the team. When asked what he was most excited about coming to GVSU, Núñez del Prado said, “To live the college experience. I think (it) will be great.”