Lakers top preseason poll

Grand Valley State’s lacrosse team was voted first in the 2016 GLIAC preseason coaches’ poll. The Lakers received 36 total votes, including six first-place votes. Coaches from all of the GLIAC team took part in the voting, but couldn’t vote for their own team. Tiffin placed second, Findlay placed third, Lake Erie and McKendree tied for fourth, Indianapolis placed sixth, and Walsh placed last.

The Lakers are three-time defending GLIAC regular season and tournament champions, having won the conference every year since the sport started in 2013. They finished 15-4 last season, and ranked 14^th in the final IWLCA Division II poll. In the IWLCA’s preseason poll, the Lakers are 15^th.

The Lakers return nine starters this season, and have their sights set on a fourth consecutive GLIAC championship, and are still looking for their first NCAA tournament berth. They open the season at Florida Southern College on Feb. 18.

Lacrosse names three captains

In the process of seeking its fourth GLIAC championship in as many years, the Grand Valley State lacrosse team has tabbed four captains for the 2016 season.

Senior Carolyn Kraus, juniors Kira Dosenberry and Erika Neumen, and sophomore Ashley Bailey were all named Laker captains.

Wells named player of the week

Grand Valley State’s Sean Wells has been named the GLIAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week. This is the second time in a row a Laker has received the award, as his teammates Darien Thornton and Wuoi Mach shared the honor last week.

At the GVSU Mike Lints Alumni Open on Jan. 30, Wells placed second in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 7.93 seconds. The time gave Wells an NCAA provisional qualifying standard, and was good for first in the GLIAC and fourth overall in Division II.

Wrestling to host weekend meet

Grand Valley State’s club wrestling will host the Laker Classic wrestling meet on Feb. 6. The meet will feature several teams from the GLIAC, and the Lakers will look to build off of their recent success. On Feb. 7, the Lakers will also host a youth wrestling tournament that showcases the GVSU wrestling program and campus.

The Lakers placed second at the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national duals on Jan. 22-23, which was held in Dalton, Georgia.