ALLENDALE, MICH. – After a successful regular outdoor season, the Grand Valley State track and field program closed out their regular season with several Lakers competing in "last chance" meets across multiple states this weekend. In hopes to qualify for the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Nationals. 

In Allendale at the GVSU 10 Event Last Chance Meet, Erika Beistle took care of business in the women's discus throw, as she broke the Grand Valley State school record. Beistle threw a new personal-best distance of 58.89m to secure her first spot in the record book. Additionally, Margaret Stevenson and Paige Westra had themselves a day in the discus, both setting new personal bests. Stevenson with a huge throw of 55.51m and Westra a distance of 48.00m. 

The women's shot put team finished 1-5 led by Erika Beistle. Beistle threw a distance of 16.75m, just shy of a new personal-best. Mackenize Bohrer finished in second place with a throw of 15.36m, followed by Reette Thorns in third with a distance of 14.45m, Margaret Stevenson in fourth with a throw of 14.42m and Paige Westra in fifth recording a distance of 14.10m. 

Shelby Ulven and Alaina Omonode finished back-to-back in the women's weight throw recording a first and second place finish. Ulven threw a distance of 57.67m and Omonode a distance of 56.99. 
In the pole vault, Taylor DeHommel finished in second clearing a height of 4.08m followed by Lily Renfrew in fifth with a height of 3.84m.

On the men's side, Bobby Maxwell earned first place in the javelin with a throw of 65.56m followed by Will Gaston in third with a distance of 50.35m.

In the men's weight throw, Nathan Spitzley finished in third place with a distance of 53.75m followed by James Mackey JR. in fifth with a throw of 52.90m.

Wyatt Alwine led the Lakers in the men's pole vault, recording a new personal-best height of 5.23m to earn first place. Dolan Gonzales finished in second place clearing a huge new personal-best height of 5.18m followed by Colton Emeott in third with a height of 5.08m. 

In North Carolina, the men's 4x100m relay squad consisting of Antonio Passarelli, Andrew Pizzicio, Nicholas Walper and Myles Rhodes didn't take this last chance lightly, as they closed out the regular season for the Lakers with a new record-breaking time down at the Lenior-Rhyne Last Chance Meet. The relay team finished in a time of 39.97, surpassing the previous Grand Valley State school record of 40.12. 

The women's 4x100m team made up of Melia Williams, Taylor Kyle, Alaina Diaz and Kate Zang finished in second place for the Lakers with a new personal-best time of 45.61.  

In the men's 110m hurdles, Grand Valley State went 3-5 lead by Steven Harris who recorded a time of 14.05. Ethan Smith finished in fourth place with a time of 14.44 and Joshua Hurt in fifth in a time of 14.62. 

The men's and women's 4x400m relay teams both finished in first place to end the night at the Lenior-Rhyne Last Chance Meet. The women's crew recorded a time of 3:44.40 while the men's team recorded a time of 3:10.98. 

At the Lee Last Chance Meet in Tennessee, Patrick Lyell joined in the recording breaking fun, as he set a new Grand Valley State record of 3:42.88 in the men's 1500m. Additionally, Lyell broke the Lee Last Chance Meet record. Elias Bergman finished in sixth place in the 1500m with a time of 3:45.17.

Taryn Chapko finished in third place in the 800m with a time of 2:10.27 while Scott Spaanstra recorded a time of 1:52.00 in the men's 800m. 

The NCAA will announce the final championships selections for the 2024 Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Tuesday, May 14^th. This year's Nationals will be held in Emporia, Kansas on May 23^rd through the 25^th.