ALLENDALE, MICH. – The Grand Valley State track and field team kicked off their 2023-2024 indoor season on Friday, December 8^th as they hosted their first indoor home meet of the year, the GVSU Holiday Open. The Lakers start off the new season strong after recording a combined total of 22 NCAA Division II provisional marks within their first meet.
 
Final Results
 
The men's jump crew took over the high jump bar at the Holiday Open, as they claimed the top three spots overall. Jonathan Rankins-James finished in first place for the Lakers with a huge new personal-best height of 2.22m, beating his previous best height of 2.18m. Javion Harrison placed second in his Grand Valley State debut, clearing a height of 2.18m. Eli Kosiba rounded out the top three for the jump squad, with a height of 2.09m. 
 
In the throwing circle, Erika Beistle led the women's shot put team as she finished in first place with a personal-best of 16.77m. Mackenzie Bohrer, Paige Westra, Reette Thorns and Margaret Stevenson finished 4-7 for the Lakers, with all five ladies surpassing the provisional mark of 13.60m. Alaina Omondoe and Shelby Ulven placed back to back in the weight throw invite, taking home third and fourth place overall. In addition, both Laker ladies hit the provisional mark of 17.00m. 
 
For the men's squad, Myles Kerner came out on top in the men's shot put invite as he recorded a distance of 18.53m earning himself first place overall. James MacKey and Shane Byrne finished within the top five in the weight throw invite, placing second (MacKey) and fourth (Byrne). 
 
On the track, the sprints crew opened their season with seven top five finishes on the day. Ethan Smith placed first in the men's 60m hurdles with a personal-best time of 8.16, surpassing the DII provisional mark of 8.20. The women's 4x400 relay consisting of Isabel Abdouch, Alaina Diaz, Ashtyn Gluck and Kate Zang recorded a first place finish overall with another personal-best of 3:48.88. In addition, the men's 4x400 relay made up of Zack Pray, Ben Ireland, Scott Spaanstra and Myles Rhodes finished in second place with a time of 3:15.17, hitting the provisional mark of 3:16.49 and recording a personal-best for this 4x400 squad. 
 
The distance crew continued to be dominate on the track as they opened their season with six top five finishes, including the title in the women's 5000m. Natalie Graber took over the 5000m race as she earned first place with a time of 16:08.98, 30 seconds ahead of the next runner. On the men's side, Scott Spaanstra and Patick Lyell both placed third place in their respective events. Spaanstra in the men's 800m with a time of 1:52.24 and Lyell in the men's mile in a time of 4:31.41. 
 
The Lakers will be back in action at the Kelly Family Sports Center on Saturday, January 13^th as they host the annual GVSU Bob Eubanks Open.