Full Release

The U.S. Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association announced its winners for the NCAA Division II Men's Program of the Year and the Grand Valley State's men's track & field and cross country teams were named the 2018-19 USTFCCCA Program of the Year after they scored nine points in the final standings. Also known as the Damon Martin Division II Men's Program of the Year award, this is the Laker's second time that they have won Men's Program of the Year award, as they won it last year.
 
GVSU captured its second consecutive Program of the Year award, after they finished the 2018-19 academic year with three top-four team finishes at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and at the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The cross country team won its first national championship at the 2018 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. with 89 points. The Lakers then record a fourth place finish at the 2019 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships with 33.25 points in Pittsburg, Kan., before another fourth place finish in Kingsville, Texas at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships after they scored 35 points.
 
The top-five of the men's side was rounded out by Adams State (13.5 points), Queens (N.C.) (37.5 points), CSU-Pueblo (38.5 points) and Western Colorado (40 points).

The team will be honored in December at the annual USTFCCCA Convention in Orlando, Fla.