The Grand Valley State track and field program completed that first weekend in the 2024 outdoor season in Charlotte, NC at the 49ers Classic and Tampa, FL at the USF Bulls Invitational. 

Final Results – 49ers Classic
Final Results – USF Bulls Invitational 
 
49ers Classic
The throws crew finished out their first outdoor weekend on Saturday, March 16^th as they competed in four events on day two. 

The men's hammer throw finished the remainder of their event after a delay last night due to lack of daylight. Shane Byrne held onto first place as he recorded a new personal-best throw of 61.95m. Matt Thomas finished in second place with another personal-best throw of 59.98m and James Mackey JR. claimed seventh place with a distance of 53.21m. 

Additionally, Thomas competed in the men's shot put where he earned second place with a throw of 18.18m. Mackey JR. also took on the men's discus alongside Nathan Spitzley, Mackey Jr. finished in fifth place with a personal-best of 54.76m and Spitzley in eighth with a throw of 50.18m.

For the women, Paige Westra finished in ninth place in the women's shot put recording a throw of 13.80m.

USF Bulls Invitational
Down in Tampa, FL the sprints team polished off the weekend with their relay teams. The women's 4x100m relay consisting of Catherine Guckenberger, Melia Williams, Alaina Diaz and Kate Zang finished in 11^th place recording a time of 46.28. 

Both men's and women's 4x400m relay ended day 2 at the USF Bulls Invitational, placing within the Top 10. The women's 4x400m team made up of Isabel Abdouch, Catherine Guckenberger, Ashtyn Gluck and Zate Zang finished in ninth place with a time of 3:45.11. While the men's 4x400m consisting of Steven Harris, Ben Ireland, Fallou Gaye and Myles Rhodes earned fifth place with a time of 3:11.47. 

Up Next
Next weekend the Lakers travel to Marion, Indiana to compete at the IWU Polar Bear Classic on March 22^nd through the 23^rd.