ALLENDALDE, Mich. -  Eli Kosiba and Judith Essemiah put on their best performance of the season on Friday, Jan. 28 at the Bill Clinger Classic. Kosiba had the crowd watching as he competed on his own clearing the high jump bar at 2.10m, 2.13m, and 2.15m. Kosiba finished first with a personal-best height of 2.15m, and is currently ranked tied for first in the Nation - DII.  Judith Essemiah threw a personal-best distance of 20.43m in the weight throw on her second attempt of the day, winning the event by over two meters. For the third time this season, Essemiah finished first and continued to improve upon her previous marks. 

"Eli Kosiba had a great series in the high jump clearing three really high bars," said head coach Jerry Baltes. "Our throwers continue to make great progress with some big throws from Myles Kerner and Judith Essemiah. For our distance crew, Klaudia O'Malley and Hannah Becker ran a great race in the mile. Overall, I think we are in a good spot and will continue to make steady progress as we head towards the GLIAC and National Championships." 

Myles Kerner continued to send the shot put and weight soaring through the air, as he finished first in both events with personal-best distances. In shot put, Kerner finished first putting a distance of 18.54m and is currently third in Division II. Kerner also threw a personal-best distance of 19.90m in the weight throw ranking fifth in the Nation. Hunter Harding finished second in the weight throw with a distance of 19.23m, and Matt Thomas second in the shot put with a distance of 17.41m. 

Freshman Mackenzie Bohrer brings new light to the Lakers as she continued to finish first in shot put, putting a distance of 13.79m. Alaina Omonode placed second in shot put with a personal-best put of 13.76m moving her way up to 21st on the national qualifying list. She also finished second in the weight throw with a distance of 18.02m.

Jenna Doyle cleared a personal-best height of 1.67m in the high jump finishing first. Doyle is now 19th on the national list with only six weeks to go until Indoor Nationals. Jonathan Rankins-James placed second in the men's high jump clearing a height of 2.05m. Ashley Perryman had a season-best jump of 5.16m in the long jump finishing first.  Mac Mitchell placed first in triple jump with a distance of 13.63m. 

In pole vault, Elli Kimes claimed her second win of the season clearing the bar at 3.95m and remains eighth on the national list. Carly Livingston cleared a season-best height of 3.80m finishing second, and moving her way up to 22nd on the qualifying list.  

On the track, the Lakers were led by Klaudia O'Malley finishing first in the women's mile clocking in a personal-best time of 4:48.34. Hannah Becker placed second with a time of 4:52.23. O'Malley and Becker's times moved them up on the list to fourth and 11th, respectively. Taryn Chapko, now ranked 6th in the nation, finished second in the 800m with a personal-best time of 2:12.00. Jessica Glockey finished second in the 3000m stopping the clock at 9:41.91, landing her 11th overall for the season in Division II. 

The men's distance team put on a strong showing as five men made their way up onto the national qualifying list. John Groendyk claimed first in the 800m with a time of 1:50.68, followed by Scott Spaanstra in second (1:51.63) and Dennis Mbuta in third (1:51.85). The men are currently placed fifth, eighth, and 12th on the national list, respectively. Marcos Garcia made his way to first-place in the last lap of the 3000m clocking in with a personal-best time of 8:14.69. Andrew Hylen finished second with a personal-best time of 8:15.18. Gracia is now placed ninth, Hylen 11th, on the qualifying list for Nationals. 

The Lakers will next host the GVSU Snowdown Showdown on Feb. 4 at the Kelly Family Sports Center.