ALLENDALE, Mich. –  Though a smaller-than-average meet for the Lakers, Grand Valley State saw 13 updates to the all-time record book, including two program records. More than 35 athletes saw personal-best marks, as well, not including collegiate debuts.
 
FINAL RESULTS
 
The day began with women's weight throw, and it began with a bang. Five of the six women to compete in the invite flight recorded new personal-best throws. Shelby Ulven updated her spot in the record book with a 19.93m (65-4.75) throw that ranks her number six all-time. Emily Stinson and Kennedy Jackson followed suit, throwing for 18.36m (60-3) and 17.45m (57-3), respectively. Redshirt-freshmen Sofiabella Amirante (16.95m (55-7.5)) and Avery Lahti (16.76m (55-0)) rounded out the invite flight with PRs of their own. 
 
Sebastian Tesch and Brandon Schirck put on a show in the men's flight, ranking first and second overall. Tesch updated his personal-best yet again, throwing for 21.17m (69-5.5) to maintain his number two spot in the record book. Schirck, a transfer from the University of Texas, added his name to GVSU history with a personal-best throw of 21.13m (69-4), ranking third all-time.
 
Erika Beistle, once again, made history. With a 17.35m (56-11.25) shot put on her fifth attempt, Beistle shattered the GVSU program record (which she previously held) and positioned herself first in NCAA Division II and fifth across all divisions.
 
Two other athletes notched PRs in shot put. Multi-event athlete Andrew Kraft threw for 15.26m (50-0.75) to rank third in the open flight. Paige Westra moved to number six all-time with a personal-best shot of 15.29m (50-2).
 
Luke Jelderks was the first of the jumps crew to notch a new best. On his first attempt, Jelderks recorded a 7.54m (24-9) long jump mark to maintain his rank as number two all-time. Not only does he rank second at Grand Valley State, but he currently has possession of the number two spot in NCAA Division II.
 
Alec Crum and Peter Van Hulle landed two of their own, as well, jumping for 6.94m (22-9.25) and 6.85m (22-5.75), respectively.
 
Alaina Diaz notched not only a personal-best in long jump, but also caused a 24-year program record to fall. On her fifth jump, she cleared 6.17m (20-3) to break Icis Charles' mark of 6.03m (19-9.25), recorded in 2002. The mark currently ranks fourth across NCAA Division II, as well. Diaz now holds both indoor and outdoor long jump records at Grand Valley State.
 
Sophomore Nyla Reed also recorded a personal-best long jump this afternoon. On just her second attempt, she jumped for 5.66m (18-7). The mark ranks her number seven in GVSU record books.
 
Two more jumpers added a PR to their résumés this afternoon. Braden Prielipp was the first to do so, clearing a 2.16m (7-1) mark in the event, ranking fifth in GVSU program history. Lauren Rokos followed Prielipp in the women's event; she cleared 1.60m (5-3) to notch a new personal-best mark.
 
Men's pole vault had a big day. They claimed first through sixth in the event and four Lakers earned new best-marks. True freshmen Samuel Paeth and Brock Bryant led the event with matching personal-best marks of 5.16m (16-11), ranking them fifth in program history. Vince Choukas cleared a new best with a clearance of 4.66m (15-3.5) and multi-event athlete Andrew Kraft PRed with a pole vault height of 4.06m (13-3.75).
 
The first running events of the day included the 60m hurdles and 60m dash. The hurdles saw two personal-bests; Dominic Downes tied for number seven all-time with a preliminary time of 8.07 and Lance Riddle recorded a best time of 8.34 in the prelims.
 
Sam Coyle was the lone Laker to record a best finish in the 60m dash; he tied his 2025 PR of 6.87 in the preliminary round to qualify for the finals.
 
Alaina Diaz continued to put on a show, landing the number two all-time spot in program history with a 200m finish at 24.16. Freshman Madison Cooke and Kennedy Gardner also finished with new records under their belt at 26.86 and 26.91, respectively.
 
The only GVSU athlete to race in the 800m was redshirt-freshman Owen Patton; he finished second at a personal-best 1:53.87.
 
Nearly every Laker racing in the mile finished at their best time. The women's heat saw Abby Olson finish third at 5:02.23, Annika Sandman finish fifth at 5:02.76 and Abby Young finish 19th at 5:17.24.
 
Eight Lakers finished at a personal-best time in the men's heat: Ian Fowler finished first at 4:11.17, Jacob Esser finished second at 4:12.02, Iain Forrest crossed the finish line fourth at 4:13.55, Dylan Esser finished sixth at 4:14.09, Isaac Staib PRed with a ninth place finish at 4:15.90, Justin Hoffman finished 10th at 4:16.63, Joey Rinke crossed the finish line 20th at 4:22.09 and Adair Artis finished 21st at 4:22.23.
 
The day ended with the 3000m. Four Lakers raced and four finished with personal-bests. Tyler Heath finished 11th at 8:31.70, Colin Vanderschaaf finished 14th at 8:34.44, Lleyton Axline crossed the finish line 15^th at 8:35.51 and Ethan Parker rounded out the day with a 17th place finish at 8:44.55.
 
Grand Valley State track and field will be back in action on Friday, January 23rd as they host the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic. More information will be posted to gvsulakers.com and social media in the coming days.