ALLENDALE, Mich. – Grand Valley State's No. 1 ranked men's and No. 3 ranked women's track and field teams are set to host their second home meet of the season this weekend: the newly renamed GVSU Al & Sue Owens Classic. The two-day meet begins tomorrow (Friday, Apr. 10) with action continuing through Saturday. Several pole vaulters will spend their weekend on the road as they compete at the South Florida Invitational (Tampa, Fla.).
 
GVSU Al & Sue Owens Classic – Schedule | Live Results | Watch on FloCollege | Tickets
South Florida Invitational – Schedule | Live Results
 
Pole vaulters competing in Florida on Friday are Dolan Gonzales, Brock Bryant, Sam Paeth and Camryn Battjes. The four begin the men's trials at 2 p.m., hopefully advancing to the proceeding finals. Brooke Bowers and Shaylee McCain will compete on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.
 
According to the most recent U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Track & Field Rankings Index (TFRI), Grand Valley State's men come in at No. 1 in the nation and the women are ranked third. Three men rank first in the nation in their respective events: Koby Fraaza (10000m, 28:52.63), Sebastian Tesch (hammer, 66.91m / 219-6) and Owen Westerkamp (3000m steeplechase, 8:46.22). Bowers leads DII in women's pole vault with a 4.15m (13-7.5).
 
More than 1,000 athletes will compete at the GVSU Track & Field/Lacrosse Complex this weekend.
 
Competition begins Friday at noon; the open sections of hammer throw begin first, followed by the invite sections (women then men) and men's javelin precedes the women's section. Triple jump closes out the day at 3 p.m. with the women's flights proceeding the men.
 
Saturday's events begin at 11 a.m. as shot put and discus throwers, high jumpers and pole vaulters compete in the first field events of the day. The 5000m open heats (women's heat 2, men's heat 2 and 3) take the track at this time, as well.
 
All outdoor track and field events, including relays and steeplechase, will be represented throughout the two-day competition. The final event of the weekend, the 4x400m relay (two women's heats, two men's heats) is anticipated to begin at 6:20 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Fans can watch the Lakers in action in person at the GVSU Track & Field/Lacrosse Complex by purchasing tickets at the gate or in advance at gvsulakers.com. Fans can also tune in on FloCollege or follow along with live results provided by Fairchild Sports Timing on Athletic.net.
 
Be sure to follow @GVSUXCTF on Instagram and X and GVSU CC and TF on Facebook for photos, live updates and more. A story recapping the day's events and final results of the meet will be posted to gvsulakers.com following the conclusion of the meet.