Grand Valley State senior Darien Thornton recorded the fourth-longest throw in NCAA Division II men’s weight throw history during the GVSU Open on Jan. 22, as the Lakers defended their home turf with both the men and women earning meet victories.

His toss of 22.06 meters broke the previous GVSU weight throw record of 21.91 set by Thornton in 2015.

“I’m speechless,” he said. “I’m excited. I’ve been trying to throw that for a while now and I finally got there.”

Thornton is convinced he can throw it even farther. He’d love to hit 23 meters, but ultimately he’s going to keep throwing as far as he can until he can’t throw anymore, he said.

His throw cleared the distance necessary for an automatic NCAA qualification mark, but, having already qualified during the Bob Eubanks Open, Thornton’s record-breaking throw will simply further cement his position as one of the best.

“He’s been the NCAA runner-up the last two years,” said GVSU head coach Jerry Baltes. “Hopefully he can keep improving and be ready on the day, come March, to get stuff done. He’s doing a really good job of leading our team by setting a good example and being a positive team member.”

Redshirt sophomore Wuoi Mach flirted with the GVSU record in the mile, posting a time of 4:08.82. Senior Ethan Barnes finished just behind with a time of 4:09.54. Both were NCAA provisional qualifying times.

“Mach has really come around, training-wise,” Baltes said. “He really understands our training model and the process. I’m excited to see what he can do in the next few weeks.”

Mach didn’t know how close he was to the record as he came down the final stretch, but with teammates cheering on the side and Barnes nipping at his heels, there was no lack of inspiration to finish strong.

“Ethan’s fast,” he said. “As you saw, he was right on my heels. He really pushes me in workouts. I pretty much bounce off what he does and follow him around.”

Mach and Barnes represented two of GVSU’s 18 total provisional qualifying marks met at the meet. Of the 18 marks, 16 were season-bests.

The GVSU throwers continued their dominance. In the men’s weight throw, Thornton took the cake with his automatic mark, but Blake Donson, Mike Moon and Jay Lechner didn’t disappoint. Donson and Lechner posted improved provisional marks with throws of 19.37 and 18.04 meters, respectively. Moon’s previous throw of 19.18 meters is still his season best.

In the women’s weight throw, Kyra Hull and Kaylyn Hill beat their previous bests. Hull threw 18.21 meters and Hill threw 17.59. Jenae Linville joined the provisional mark club with a 16.34-meter toss.

In the women’s shot put, Dajsha Avery set a new provisional best with a distance of 13.87 meters. For the men, Thornton beat his previous provisional mark with a heave of 17.26 meters.

Tor’i Brooks added his name to the list of student-athletes to reach the provisional mark in the men’s long jump with a jump of 7.14 meters.

In the women’s high jump, Kathryn Mills reached a mark by clearing at 1.69 meters.

Women’s pole vaulter Jaime Roberts reached a provisional mark as well, sailing over the bar at 3.84 meters.

Amy Cymerman posted a time of 9:43.12 in the women’s 3000 meter run to clear the provisional qualifying time by about 16 seconds.

GVSU achieved two more provisional times in the 60 meter hurdles. For the men, Gary Hickman finished in 8.18 seconds, and for the women, Beatriz Indurain crossed the finish line in 8.74.

GVSU also got a qualifying mark in the women’s mile, as Kendra Foley finished in 4:53.94.

“I thought we had great team energy,” Baltes said. “In a smaller meet setting, you have to find support for one another because a lot of the time the competition isn’t there from the other teams. I thought we did a great job rallying for each other and getting excited for each other.”

The Lakers next host the GVSU Lints Alumni Meet in the Kelly Family Sports Center on Jan. 30.