ALLENDALE, Mich. – Several Grand Valley State athletes will open the 2026 outdoor track and field season this weekend as they compete at Indiana Wesleyan's Polar Bear Classic. All event groups, aside from the Laker's distance squad, will be on display across the two-day competition.
 
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Grand Valley State enters the outdoor season fresh off men's team National Runner-Up and women's sixth place finishes at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Prior to the national stage, the Lakers claimed their 25th men's indoor conference title, collecting their 27th consecutive title on the women's side. 
 
The women's team will look to defend their 2025 National Outdoor Championship title as they compete this season, while the men hope to move up on the podium after placing third last season in Pueblo, Colo.
 
Thirty two men and 28 women will compete for GVSU the IWU Polar Bear Classic. Lakers begin competition on Friday at 12 p.m., with the women preceding the men in most events. Kennedy Jackson and Sofiabella Amirante compete for the women in shot ahead of Andrew Berryhill, Gerald Capaccio and Garrett Weeden. At the same time, Will Gaston will compete in javelin and Nolyn Johnson III and Prentice Gardner Jr. will triple jump.
 
Saturday's schedule is filled with the remaining track and field events, all of which will begin at 11 a.m. The men will follow the women in high jump, pole vault, discus and all track events. Men's athletes will lead the women in long jump and hammer throw.
 
Grand Valley State's first track event is the 400m, followed by the 100m, 110m/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles. The majority of GVSU athletes close out the day in the 200m.
 
A story recapping the events and final results of the meet will be posted to gvsulakers.com following the conclusion of the weekend. For updates, photos and more, follow @GVSUXCTF on Instagram and X.