The Grand Valley State University men’s cross-country team won its 11th-straight GLIAC conference championship on Oct. 20 and were led by senior Stephen Fuelling’s first-place finish in the event.

His performance earned him GLIAC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors. It also earned him recognition as the GVSU Student-Athlete of the Week.

With a time of 24 minutes, 22 seconds, Fuelling took home the individual title by over six seconds, ahead of GVSU sophomore Alan Peterson. It was also a personal-best time for Fuelling. As a team, the Lakers placed six of its runners in the top-11.

Fuelling and the Lakers will get another shot at competing when they head to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Championships on Saturday in Kenosha, Wisc., looking to defend their 2011 title.
They will then finish their season at the NCAA Division II National Championships on Nov. 17 in Joplin, Mo., looking to improve on their third-place finish there last season.

Botts honored with Athlete of the Week award
Grand Valley State University senior forward Ashley Botts was named the GLIAC women’s soccer Athlete of the Week on Oct. 22.

In wins against Michigan Technological University on Oct. 19 (5-0) and Northern Michigan University on Oct. 20 (8-0), Botts tallied three goals and an assist. Her strong play not only led the Lakers, but helped GVSU secure a tie for first place in the GLIAC.

Botts now has career totals of 58 goals and 27 assists. She is also leading the Lakers in points this season with 21.

It is the first time this year Botts has been recognized for this honor, but she is the third Laker to garner the accomplishment. Senior forward Maria Brown and senior goalkeeper Chelsea Parise are the other Laker standouts to have earned the award.

Botts will carry her solid efforts into postseason play as the GLIAC Conference Championships begin tomorrow. GVSU owns a 15-1-2 overall record and the No. 1 seed heading into the championships where they have seen much success in recent years.