July 16, 2012
In taking a look back at another successful year in Laker athletics, the Grand Valley State sports information department has put together a list of the top-10 highlights from the 2011-12 campaign. Today marks the top highlight from the past year in Laker athletics. Check below to find links to the entire top-10 list and honorable mention selections.
Top-10 GVSU Highlights from 2011-12
#1: Women's Track & Field Captures Third and Fourth Straight National Titles
Winning a team national championship in any sport at any level is a difficult accomplishment. When that sport is track and field where the participants mostly compete as individuals, the task becomes tougher, as it is hard to rely on just one athlete to carry the team.
To win both the indoor and outdoor track and field titles in the same year is an incredible achievement, but the Grand Valley State women's track and field team has somehow upped the ante. For the second consecutive season, GVSU has won both the indoor and outdoor Division II National Championships.
In doing so, the Grand Valley State women have won the last four NCAA Track & Field National Championships, capturing both titles in 2011 and 2012. The last Division II team to match this amazing feat is Abilene Christian, which did so in 1998 and 1999.
GVSU began its second straight repeat at Mankato, Minnesota in March, as the Lakers dominated the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships with a 43-point victory. In scoring 94 points to win the team title, Grand Valley State's winning score was the fourth-highest championship point total in Division II history.
The Lakers won indoor national championships in five events, as Lauren Buresh (shot put), Kristen Hixson (pole vault), Sam Lockhart (weight throw), and Rachel Patterson (5,000 meter run) finished first in their respective events. GVSU's distance medley relay team of Patterson, Lisa Galasso, Betsy Graney, and Leiah Hess also combined to win the national championship.
14 different Lakers brought home an All-America citation by finishing in the top-eight in their event, combining for a total of 20 All-America honors. Graney, Hess, Lockhart, Patterson, Chanelle Caldwell, and Kalena Franklin all received two All-America plaudits at the indoor meet.
To complete the back-to-back repeat cycle, GVSU scored 90 points at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Pueblo, Colorado in May, 11 points better than six-time national champion Lincoln (Mo.). The Lakers' point total was the highest at the national meet since 2006 and the fourth-highest figure in the last 10 years.
Grand Valley State won a pair of individual national championships on both the first and second days of competition. On day one, Patterson (10,000 meter run) and Liz Murphy (hammer throw) notched national titles, while Graney (3,000 meter steeplechase) and Hixson (pole vault) took home first-place finishes on day two.
The All-America accolades continued rolling in, as GVSU recorded 16 such honors by 12 different student-athletes. Graney, Lockhart, Patterson, and Brittney Banister took home two All-America laurels apiece at the outdoor competition.
After another outstanding year, it came as no surprise that the Grand Valley State women were named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association "Program of the Year" for the fourth consecutive time. Furthermore, GVSU head coach Jerry Baltes was named the USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
#1 - Women's Track & Field Captures Third and Fourth Straight National Titles
#2 - Beebe Becomes GVSU's First Swimming & Diving National Champion
#3 - Soccer Wins Shootout, Advances to Third Straight Title Game
#4 - Lacrosse Hosts First-Ever Home Game, Sets NCAA Record
#5 - Graney Notches Fastest Steeplechase Time in Division II History
#6 - Woods Records 800th Career Victory in 4-2 Win Over ODU
#7 - Brugnoni Smashes Four Homers in Four Straight At-Bats
#8 - Ebels Goes 13-for-13, Ties 14-Year Old NCAA Record
#9 - Patterson Wins 10K National Title on Final Turn
#10 - Thompson's 100-Yard Return Sparks Win Over SVSU
Honorable Mentions:
Women's Basketball Topples #7 Michigan Tech, 66-40
Hoffman Cards Lowest Round in School History
Thomas' Three-Pointer Pushes GVSU Over Huskies in Overtime
Men's Golf Captures Fifth GLIAC Title With 16-Stroke Victory
Martin's Three-Run Homer Gives Lakers 5-4 Win in NCAA Tournament
