Division III hockey to host cancer research fundraiser

Grand Valley State’s Division III hockey club will be hosting the “Hockey Fights Cancer Game” on Jan. 30. The game will start at 4:30 against Adrian College, and all proceeds generated from the game will go directly to the Van Andel Institute for cancer research. There will be a 50/50 raffle, as well as a T-shirt sale. 

Those interested should arrive to the game early, as supplies are limited. The team is also doing fundraisers and activities throughout this week in Kirkhof Center, and all proceeds garnered from this will also go towards cancer research. For more information, visit purplecommunity.org.

Two Lakers earn Athlete of the Week honors

Grand Valley State track and field members Wuoi Mach and Darien Thornton have been named GLIAC Male Track and Field Athletes of the Week after standout showings at the GVSU Open on Jan. 22.

Mach placed first in the mile with a time of 4:08.82, giving him a provisional entry in the NCAA Division II National Championships in March. The time was good for first in the GLIAC and sixth in the country, and was .27 seconds away from breaking the GVSU school record set in 2006.

Thornton also earned a provisional standard with a shot put by hitting 17.26m in the event. This marks the second week in a row Thornton has received the honor, after setting the GVSU record in weight throw with a 22.03m heave.

GVSU basketball hits the road

Both the men’s and women’s Grand Valley State basketball teams will head to Saginaw Valley State on Jan. 28 for key in-conference matchups.

The Laker men (14-4, 8-4 GLIAC) are fighting to stay in the conversation for a GLIAC title, and will get a good chance to make a move forward with a tilt against the conference-leading Cardinals (14-4, 10-2 GLIAC). GVSU will face a test in trying to stop SVSU’s C.J. Turnage, who is averaging 16.2 points per game, good for 10th in the GLIAC.

The Laker women (14-4, 9-3 GLIAC) will look to build on a five game win streak with a clash against SVSU (12-5, 9-3 GLIAC) in a battle of top-ranked GLIAC North teams. SVSU’s Emily Wendling is leading the GLIAC with an average of 19.8 points per game, while also pulling down 9.0 rebounds per game.