Pueblo, Colorado – The Grand Valley State men's and women's track and field team head into day two of the NCAA National Championships tomorrow (Friday, May 26^th) with women's squad tied for first place with 10 points and the men tied in third with 10 points. The Lakers crowned two National Champions in the women's and men's hammer throw to open up the 2023 NCAA Nationals.
 
Judith Essemiah defended her 2022 National Outdoor title and claimed her third career National title as a Grand Valley State Laker in the women's hammer throw on Thursday, May 25^th. Essemiah was crowned the National Champion with a new personal-best throw of 64.31m, breaking the school record of 64.21m previously held by Essemiah in 2021. 
 
Jacob Urban brought home Grand Valley State's second National title on the day, in the men's hammer throw. Urban threw a new personal-best distance of 66.05m beating out second place (64.62m) to earn the Laker men their first set of points. 
 
In the prelim races, Natalie Graber and Kayce Rypma will move onto the women's 3000m steeplechase finals tomorrow (Friday, May 26^th) at 7:15 p.m. (MT). Klaudia O'Malley finished third overall in the 1500m prelims with a time of 4:28.62 to move onto the finals on Saturday, May 27^th. While, Caleb Futter recorded a time of 9:16.71 in the men's 3000m steeplechase to move onto the finals tomorrow, beginning at 7:30 p.m. (MT). 

Schedule of Events
Live Results
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Friday, May 26^th Laker Schedule *EASTERN TIME*
Women
Erika Beistle – Discus Throw (4:00 p.m.)
Kelsi Hulit – Discus Throw (4:00 p.m.)
Emma Richards – Discus Throw (4:00 p.m.)
Margaret Stevenson – Discus Throw (4:00 p.m.)
Taryn Chapko – 800m prelims (8:00 p.m.)
Brooke Barkocy – 100m Hurdles prelims (8:35 p.m.)
Natalie Graber – 3000m Steeplechase (9:15 p.m.)
Kayce Rypma – 3000m Steeplechase (9:15 p.m.)

Men
James MacKey JR. – Discus Throw (7:00 p.m.)
Nathan Spitzley – Discus Throw (7:00 p.m.)
Scott Spaanstra – 800m prelims (8:15 p.m.)
Steven Harris – 110m Hurdles prelims (8:50 p.m.)
Caleb Futter – 3000m Steeplechase (9:30 p.m.)