GVSU baseball and softball picked as favorites to win GLIAC

In the 2017 GLIAC Preseason Polls for baseball and softball, the league’s head coaches in their respective sports voted the Grand Valley State baseball and softball teams to win the league title. The baseball team won the GLIAC tournament in the 2016 season while the softball team was stunned, losing the first two games of the tournament last season.

The baseball team accumulated 94 points in the poll, nine points more than second place Wayne State who received one first-place vote. Ashland received three first-place votes but only managed 81 points in the poll for third place. Walsh (73 points) and Northwood (54 points) rounded out the top five. Nationally, the Lakers were ranked preseason No. 13 by the National College Baseball Writers Association.

The softball team, coming off its third trip to the College World Series in program history, just edged out Wayne State for the top spot in the GLIAC. While both teams received six first-place votes, the Lakers mustered 116 points in the poll, one more point than reigning GLIAC Champion Wayne State. Ashland (95 points), Saginaw Valley State (88 points) and Ferris State (80 points) rounded out the top five. Nationally, the Lakers rank sixth in the NFCA Top-25 Preseason Poll.

Lakers sweep track GLIAC Athletes of the Week

The Grand Valley State men’s and women’s track and field teams both represented an athlete in the GLIAC Athlete of the Week award. On the men’s side, Zach Panning earned the award while Rachael Walters earned the same award on the women’s side.

At the Meyo Invitational, Panning broke the GVSU record in the 3000m with a time of 8:05.19. The time marked the fastest time in the GLIAC and is second fastest in the nation at the Division II level. Panning’s performance helped the Lakers jump over Tiffin for the No. 3 ranking behind Ashland and Adams State.

Also during the Meyo Invitational, Walters placed fourth in the 800m with a time of 2:08.41 which was good enough for a NCAA Automatic qualifying time. Walters’ time marked the fastest in the GLIAC and the third fastest in the nation at the Division II level. Her performance helped the Lakers retain their No. 1 ranking for the third consecutive week. GVSU ranks ahead of Adams State and Pittsburgh State.

Men’s and women’s swimming and diving climbs national rankings

In the final College Swim Coaches Association of America top-25 poll, the Grand Valley State men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both jumped two spots. The women finished the season No. 6 while the men finished No. 7 before the GLIAC Championships.

Along with the final rankings, the CSCAA announced the 2016 Fall Scholar All-American teams. The award recognizes teams that achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The men’s team finished with a 3.11 team GPA with five swimmers achieving a 3.5 or better, and the women’s team recorded a 3.17 team GPA with seven swimmers at a 3.5 or better.

Both teams will compete at the 2017 GLIAC Swimming and Diving Championships Wednesday, Feb. 8. through Saturday, Feb. 11 at Saginaw Valley State. The men have won five titles since 2005, and the women have finished among the top two in 11 of the last 12 years.