Feb. 5, 2014

Bay City, Mich. - In a release from the league offices on Wednesday (Feb. 5) evening, five Grand Valley State student-athletes were among the 12 GLIAC Fall 2013 Commissioner's Award winners. Women's soccer player Tayler Ward, women's cross country runners Jessica Janecke and Courtney Brewis, along with men's cross country standouts Spencer Pageau and Alan Peterson were recognized for their work on the field and in the classroom.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must be either a junior or senior, a starter or key reserve, and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5. The GLIAC selected six male and six female student-athletes from the fall sports to comprise the 12-member team.

Ward, a 2013 All-GLIAC First Team honoree and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, helped GVSU capture its third NCAA Division II national championship in the past five seasons and a ninth straight GLIAC title. The senior defender also helped the Lakers match the second-longest shutout streak in Division II history (13 games) this year. During her time at GVSU, Ward appeared in 99 games, was part of 74 shutouts and amassed an 86-4-10 overall record. The Grand Blanc, Mich. native has maintained a 3.71 grade-point average while majoring in exercise science.

Janecke, a sophomore from Scales Mound, Ill., guided the Lakers to a second straight national championship. The two-time USTFCCCA All-American finished ninth overall at the 2013 NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship meet with a time of 21:18.2. She also came in second place at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship and finished third at the GLIAC Championship. Janecke boasts a 3.81 GPA and is a biomedical science major.

Brewis also earned USTFCCCA All-America honors this season by finishing 17th at the Division II National Championship meet with a time of 21:32.0. The Dearborn, Mich. product helped GVSU win the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship the GLIAC Championship as well. During her time as a Laker, Brewis has been a part of four GLIAC titles and has earned a 3.91 GPA as a physical therapy major.

Pageau was named to the All-GLIAC First Team and USTFCCA All-Midwest Region First Team as a sophomore. In the process, the Jackson, Mich. native guided the Lakers to NCAA Division II Midwest Region and GLIAC Championships this season. The Lumen Christi High School alum placed seventh at the GLIAC Championship. Pageau is an biomedical sciences/pre-med major with a 3.91 GPA.

Peterson finished second at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championship and fourth at the GLIAC Championship. The junior earned USTFCCCA All-America honors by finishing 16th at the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship meet with a time of 30:56.4. He also garnered a USTFCCCA All-Midwest Region plaudit in 2012. The Ironwood, Mich. product carries a 3.70 GPA as an exercise science major.

The rest of the Fall 2013 Commissioner's Award winners are as follows: Samantha Johnson (Ferris State cross country), Darina Berkova (Northwood tennis), Danielle Taflinger (Findlay volleyball), Jason Vander Laan (Ferris State football), Justin Zimmer (Ferris State football), Mark Miller (Ohio Dominican football) and Chet Privett (Wayne State football).