Four Lakers earn All-GLIAC laurels

The Grand Valley State women’s basketball team was well represented in the nominations for All-GLIAC awards. Seniors Janae Langs, Piper Tucker, Taylor Lutz and Bailey Cairnduff all received recognition from the GLIAC for their efforts on the court this season.

For the first time in her career, Langs earned a spot on the All-GLIAC First Team. She leads GVSU in scoring (10) and rebounds (5.8) per game while her 87 assists is tied for the team lead. The 5’4” point guard has five games with 10 or more rebounds with three of them going for double-doubles.

Tucker and Cairnduff represent the Lakers on the All-GLIAC Second Team. Cairnduff is averaging 9.6 points per game while knocking down a team-high 56 3-pointers this season. Tucker’s ability on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball earned her a spot on the Second Team and with a spot on the All-GLIAC Defensive Team.

Lutz joins Tucker on the All-GLIAC Defensive Team with her second consecutive nomination to the team. Lutz is a key component to GVSU’s top-ranked defense in the nation that allows only 53.3 points per game.

Ferguson’s fight pulled from UFC 209 card

Grand Valley State grad Tony Ferguson was slated to fight undefeated and interim-lightweight belt holder Khabib Nurmagomedov in UFC 209 Saturday, March 4, before the fight was pulled from the card. Nurmagomedov spent time in the hospital before the fight due to medical complications he suffered from cutting weight.

The cancellation marked the third time that a fight between both fighters did not make it to the ring. The previous two times happened due to injuries.

Connor McGregor currently holds the official lightweight belt, but a fight between Ferguson and Nurmagomedov will likely happen in the near future to decide an interim champion. The winner of that fight will have the best chance to fight McGregor for the official belt.

GVSU wrestling finishes fourth in the nation

At the National Collegiate Wrestling Championships in Allen, Texas, the Grand Valley State men’s club wrestling team finished in fourth place. Six Lakers earned All-American awards in their respective weight classes.

As a team, the Lakers scored 137.5 points in the three day tournament. The Lakers trailed only Central Florida, Liberty and first-place Emmanuel in the overall standings. GVSU edged out fifth place Air Force by 37 points.

Harun Bogdanic finished as the national runner up in the 235 weight class. Bogdanic lost to last season’s runner up Stevan Webb from Connecticut.

GVSU’s Ahmad Khatib finished in fifth place in the 184 weight class. Three-time All-American Bailey Bischer also finished fifth in the 174 weight class.

Freshman Dylan Dwyer finished in third place in the 149 weight class. Junior Nick Reddy finished seventh in the 133 weight class.

Rounding out the All-Americans for the Lakers was fourth place finisher Brendan Hazelton at the 125 weight class. Hazelton, a sophomore, earned his second All-American honor in his two-year GVSU career.

Along with the team being honored, GVSU coach Rick Bolhuis was inducted into the NCWA Circle of Champions Hall of Fame Friday, March 10, at the NCWA National Tournament.