The Grand Valley State men’s and women’s swim and dive teams took a seven-hour trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to compete in a tri-squad meet against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals and the Northern Michigan Wildcats Saturday, Oct. 29.

The Laker men and women claimed second place in the meet to the Wildcats, who took first place for both categories.

For the men, Marius Mikalauskas had a productive day as usual. He took first in the 400-yard medley relay with the GVSU A-team (3:25.42) and second in the 100-yard breaststroke (57.68).

Ben Walling also had a banner day, touching third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:45.22), second in the 50-yard freestyle (21.04), second in the 100-yard freestyle (46.15) and second in the 400-yard freestyle relay with the GVSU A-team (3:04.70).

“I thought Ben Walling had a really great meet today,” said GVSU coach Andy Boyce. “50 free, 100 free, he was on the relays and I think he did a very good job.”

Tim Harris finished third in the 100-yard breaststroke (57.98), and finished third again in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:07.88)

Danny Abbott won the GLIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week and proved his worth by taking second place in the 400-yard freestyle relay with the GVSU A-team (3:04.70), third place in the 100-yard freestyle (46.50), third in the 50-yard freestyle (21.27), and first in the 400-yard medley relay with the GVSU A-team (3:25.42).

“I did pretty well, I’d say,” Abbott said. “(SVSU and NMU) are both competitive teams and we’re looking forward to seeing them again now.”

Diving for the men, GVSU’s Brad Dalrymple won both the 3-meter board and the 1-meter board (307.90). His 3-meter board score was 332.70, which was 70 points higher than the second-place finisher.

Finishing second for GVSU in diving was Jared Gregory taking second in both the 3-meter (262.15) and the 1-meter (270.20).

As for the women, the team finished in second with Northern Michigan claiming first.

A strong performance from Sam Postmus helped them take second. Postmus touched first in the 200-yard freestyle (1:53.84), third in the 200-yard backstroke (2:05.74), second in the 200-yard individual medley (2:03.80) and third as a part of the GVSU B-team in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:40.61).

Leonie Van Noort also displayed high-quality times, finishing first in the 1,000-yard freestyle (10.27.03), second in the 200-yard freestyle (1.56.79), first again in the 500-yard freestyle (5:03.50) and second in the 400-yard freestyle as part of the GVSU A-team (3:35.73).

This past week, Van Noort was also selected as the GLIAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week.

Meghan Falconer supplied the Lakers with some fast times as well in the Upper Peninsula. She earned a second place finish in the 400-yard relay (3:57.72), third in the 100-yard backstroke (59.75) and second in the 100-yard butterfly (58.59).

Hannah Richard joined the list of Lakers who had a quality meet. She finished second in the 400-yard medley relay as part of the GVSU A-team (3:57.72), and first in the 100-meter butterfly with a lifetime-best time of 57.84.

“I think I swam pretty well,” Richard said. “I think our team pulled out good swims when we needed to.”

When asked about her best time ever on the 100-yard butterfly, Richard was mainly focused on how it contributed to the team.

“I knew I needed to pull out a good swim,” Richard said. “I knew I needed a quick time and my teammates in my lane cheering me on really got me through the whole meet.”

GVSU will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 19 against Ball State at home.