Quick Hits 11/16

Zack Goodrow, Sports Editor

GV FOOTBALL PLAYER FINALIST FOR NATIONAL AWARD 

Senior linebacker Tyler Bradfield has been selected as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman. Bradfield is not only the lone representative for the GVSU Lakers, but he’s the only DII player to be named a finalist. 

“It’s a humbling experience,” Bradfield said. “I’m very honored to be named a finalist for the award. I really wasn’t expecting anything like this. It’s really cool. I’m happy GVSU and the program is getting some recognition for what we do here. I’m thankful to be the one representing the Lakers.” 

Bradfield has excelled in the classroom as he’s maintained a 3.99 GPA during his time as a Laker. He graduates this fall, so he’s focusing on his last six credits.

“The classroom and football field go hand in hand,” Bradfield said. “I set high goals for myself and try to achieve them. There’s nothing special to it. I just work extremely hard to achieve my goals.” 

He plans on returning back to GVSU for graduate school, which also means he’ll once again be on the football field to play his final season. Since the GLIAC cancelled the fall 2020 sports season, every athlete was granted a waiver to extend their eligibility by a year. Athletes who graduate and come back for graduate school can play one final season.  

ATHLETES TURN TO GV FOR NATIONAL RECRUITMENT DAY 

GVSU had a flurry of signings on National Recruitment Day this past week. Here’s a list of some of the new Lakers soon to join GVSU. 

Men’s Golf: Ryan Chafty (Kalamazoo, Michigan) and Braden Falk (Portage, Michigan) 

Men’s Basketball: Parker Day (Saginaw Heritage) 

Softball: Liberti Fair (Tecumseh, Michigan), Morgan Spicer (Valparaiso, Indiana), and Kelsey Komorous (Farmington Hills, Michigan) 

Women’s Lacrosse: Elizabeth Bernard (Elmhurst, Illinois – York HS), Chloe Dunham (Rockford, Michigan – Rockford HS), Brooke Wathen (Louisville, Kentucky – Kentucky Country Day School/duPont Manual HS), Isabella DeRegis (Syracuse, New York – Christian Brothers HS), Sema Hasanof (Lake Zurich, Illinois – Lake Zurich HS), Karleigh Rothe (Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Scioto HS), Ashleigh Rothe (Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Scioto HS), Zoe Ziegler (Lansing, Michigan – Okemos HS), and Kaylyn Cater (Chanhassen, Minnesota – Chanhassen HS).

Volleyball: Sophie Plate (Gowen, Michigan – Greenville High School) Henly Sleight (Jackson, Michigan – Jackson Northwest High School), and Julia Blaney (Saline, Michigan – Saline High School)

Women’s Basketball: Paige VanStee (Middleville, Michigan – Thornapple Kellogg HS), Abrie Cabana (Grass Lake, Michigan – Grass Lake HS), Lexi Plitzuwelt (Vermillion South Dakota – Vermillion HS), Nicole Kamin (Escanaba, Michigan – Escanaba HS), Megan Crow (Gladstone, Michigan – Gladstone HS), Molly Anderson (Cadillac, Michigan – Cadillac HS), and Macy Bisballe (Houghton Lake, Michigan – Houghton Lake HS) 

WINTER 2020 BASKETBALL SCHEDULES RELEASED 

On Nov. 12, both of GVSU’s basketball teams got good news when the GLIAC released their schedule for the winter 2021 semester. Schedules for teams will be reduced to an in conference only calendar and a conference tournament. This will not affect teams who don’t operate with a normal conference schedule, such as swimming and diving and track and field. 

For the past few months, the GLIAC has been evaluating the state of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been working to establish COVID-19 testing, safe travel, and safe training sessions. The GLIAC has yet to come to a final decision on how the testing requirements will look.