ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State track and field program welcomed their 2023 season on Saturday, January 14^th as they hosted the annual Bob Eubanks Open. Both the men's and women's teams continue to remain dominant on the track and the field early on this season.
 
The lady Lakers took over on the track claiming the Top 4 spots in both the 60m dash as well as the 200m dash. Kate Zang led the pack for the Lakers claiming first place in both the 60m dash and the 200m dash. Zang completed the 60m dash in 7.79 seconds followed by Angelica Floyd at 7.85, Melia Williams at 7.93 and Timia Robinson rounding out the Top 4 with a time of 7.97.
 
 In the 200m dash, Zang crossed the line clocking a time of 25.23 with Isabel Abdouch shortly behind at 25.66. Melia Williams and Timia Robinson claimed third and fourth recording times of 25.86 (Williams) and 26.52 (Robinson) for the Lakers. Destin Dorkin and Lindsey Strutz finished back-to-back in the 60m hurdles securing first and second on the day. Dorkin finished in 9.49 seconds followed by Strutz with a time of 9.59.
 
On the men's side, the Lakers ended the day with a total of twelve Top 5 finishes competing in five events. In the 60m dash, Max Darling finished first in 6.93 seconds followed by Jacody Sikora in second with a time of 6.95 and Jalen Kyles in fourth with a time of 7.09. 
 
Grand Valley State took over the 200m dash recording first through fourth places, Myles Rhodes led the group with a time of 21.79 seconds. Jalen Kyles followed right behind at 21.80, Max Darling placed third clocking in at 22.32 seconds and Jackson Blanchard finished it out with a time of 22.48. 
 
In the field, the women secured four Top 5 finishes in the shot put event taking home first, second, fourth and fifth. Erika Beistle led the Lakers with a shot put distance of 14.39m followed by Emma Richards with a distance of 14.08m, both beating out the NCAA Provisional mark. Margaret Stevenson placed fourth throwing a distance of 13.33m and Reette Thorns claiming fifth recording a distance of 13.02m. 
 
Judith Essemiah earned first place in the women's weight throw, in addition, surpassed the NCAA Provisional mark of 17.00m with a weight throw distance of 19.20m. Alaina Omonode also exceeded the Provisional mark throwing a distance of 18.13m, claiming second place for the Lakers. 
 
In the men's weight throw, the Lakers finished in the Top 3 spots, as well as two Lakers surpassing the 17.98m NCAA Provisional mark. Jacob Urban finished first for the men with a throw distance of 19.90m, Bryce Reynolds claimed second with a distance of 17.92m and Shane Byrne in third with a distance of 17.54m. 
 
Caleb Taylor and Luke Jelderks claimed first and second in the men's long jump with jumps of 6.92m (Taylor) and 6.84m (Jelderks). In addition, Harold Gee took home a first-place finish in the men's triple jump with a distance of 12.54m.
 
The Lakers are back at the Kelly Family Sports Center on Saturday, January 21^st for the GVSU Mike Lints Alumni Meet starting at 1 p.m.

Bob Eubanks Open Results