ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State track and field teams concluded the first day of action in the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships Thursday night.  The Lakers' shining moment of the day came from Judith Essemiah in the hammer throw, as she captured the national title with a launch of 62.62m.  The women finished the night with 22 points, while the men scored 15. 
 
Also earning a spot on the podium was Elli Kimes in the pole vault with a 4.15m clear, good for the crown as the National Runner-Up, as Carly Livingston took the ninth spot with a 3.80m clear.  In the 10,000m, Jessica Gockley met a fourth-place finish of 34:11.53, while Michelle Koetje crossed the line in 35:49.46.  
 
Earning spots in tomorrow's 1,500m finals are Allie Ludge (4:22.99) and Klaudia O'Malley (4:23.01), while Nicole Sreenan (400m; 53.97) and Jessica Eby (400H; 1:01.09) claimed spots in Saturday's finals for their respective races.  The women's 4x100m comprised of Ashley Perryman, Sreenan, Marcedes Chandler and Angelica Floyd took the top preliminary time, earning their chance to compete for the national title on Saturday.
 
The men accumulated 15 points in the first day, thanks to a thrilling runner-up finish in the 10,000m race by Isaac Harding (29:09.70), with Tanner Chada (29:16.71) and Enael Woldemichael (29:19.47) crossing the line in spots four and seven, respectively.  Jackson Blanchard (52.07) and Daniel Walker (52.22) will race in Saturday's 400H finals after their performance in the prelims.  In the hammer throw, Hunter Harding earned a 10th place finish with a mark of 60.64m.  
 
The Lakers first compete at 2:05 p.m. in the men's discus Friday afternoon.