GV Athletics launches ‘Laker Nation’ mobile app

Besides having the satisfaction of watching most of the Grand Valley State Athletics win on the field, court, track or in the pool, fans of the Laker sports may not get the recognition they deserve. 

That’s why GVSU Athletics developed and launched the GVSU “Laker Nation” mobile app, which records and rewards students and fans who regularly attend athletic events.

GVSU Athletics partnered up with SuperFanU, the leading fan-loyalty and engagement company in college sports, in the development of the app. 

The application will award attendees of GVSU athletic events with “reward points” that can be used to redeem unique experiences throughout the 2017-18 season. When fans are at a Laker athletic event, they have the ability to “check in” on the app to keep track of their points throughout the year. 

Aside from the reward system, the app will provide an accessible guide to the athletic event schedule, game-day guides and promotional offers from GVSU athletic sponsors.

Laker Nation is now running and currently available for free download in the Apple Store and Google Play.

Women’s cross country ranks No. 1 in preseason poll, men No. 2

The Grand Valley State men’s and women’s cross country teams have been two of the most successful athletic programs in the school’s history.

Both teams can add another accolade to their list of bragging rights as The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its preseason rankings where the women ranked No. 1 overall and the men ranked No. 2. 

The GVSU women are returning three runners from their championship meet with sophomore Stacey Metzger, senior Kelly Haubert and senior Rachel Bendewald. Metzger and Haubert both received All-American honors.

The women also totaled 199 points in the preseason poll and seven first-place votes. Adams State is second behind the Lakers with 193 points.

The GVSU men’s team isn’t far behind the women, coming in second overall with 190 total votes. Ashland State took the first overall spot with 200 points and eight first-place votes.

The men’s team will be in good hands as All-American recipients Zach Panning and senior Trevor Sharnas will be returning back for the Lakers this season. 

Both GVSU cross country teams will open their season Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Knight Invitational in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

GV club baseball, wrestling and tennis announce tryout dates

As the school year finally gets underway, so do the opportunities to join the various club sports that Grand Valley State offers. The three major club sports (baseball, wrestling and tennis) have announced their tryout dates for the 2017-18 season.

The club baseball team will be holding a three-day tryout from Friday, Sept. 8, through Sunday, Sept. 10, at Allendale Middle School. The first two days of the event will focus on testing each player’s position and skill work, while the last day will be scrimmages. The team will require each person to bring their own equipment to the event.

GVSU’s club wrestling team, winners of 15 of the last 17 conference championships, will be tabling at Campus Life Night Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The team will not be holding an official tryout, but will be hosting a prospect meeting Thursday, Sept. 7, at 4:30 p.m. in the GVSU Fieldhouse.

Lastly, the coed club tennis team will be hosting three separate days of tryouts. The women’s-only tryout will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Both the men and women will try out together Wednesday, Sept. 13, and the final tryout will be men’s only Thursday, Sept. 14.

For more information, check out www.gvsuclubsports.com.