GV Basketball split Parkside series

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at GVSU split their series against Parkside last weekend. 

In their first game of the series, the women’s team (5-1) lost 64-68 to Parkside in Kenosha, Wisconsin. While they did lose, junior forward Hannah Kulas scored a career high 28 points. Junior guard Emily Spitzley also had a career high 22 points, also contributing eight rebounds and four blocks. After leading Parkside coming into the second half, Parkside came back and took over the lead at the end of the third quarter. The Lakers cut the lead to two nearing the end of the fourth, but they were unable to seal the victory. 

The Lakers would have to wait for the following day to earn their first victory last weekend. They beat Parkside 77-54 and were led by Spitzley who scored 20 points. Freshman guard Ellie Droste scored a career-high 13 points along with grabbing four rebounds and having three assists. Freshman guard Hadley Miller also had a big game, scoring 12 points and grabbing seven boards. After falling behind by five in the first quarter, the Lakers regained the lead and never looked back for the rest of the game in their dominant win. 

It was an opposite story for the men’s team (4-2), who won their first game against Parkside and lost their second in Allendale. In an assertive defensive performance, the Lakers won 59-42. Seniors Jake Van Tubbergen and Christian Negron scored 12 points apiece to lead the team. The Lakers defense forced Parkisde to shoot just 28% from the field and 16% from the three. 

In the second game of the series, the Lakers fell to Parkside 63-76. Tubbergen scored a season-high 24 points and five rebounds. In this game, Parkside came to play draining threes from all over the court. They shot 52% from the three and 51% from the field. It was a close battle for most of the game, but the Lakers couldn’t overcome Parkside’s shooting from behind the arc. 

Swimming and diving sweeps Hope, Saginaw Valley

The GVSU swimming and diving team has started off hot this year. They have won both the meets they’ve competed in this year and swept Hope and Saginaw Valley last week. The men beat Hope 150-90 and beat Saginaw Valley 143.5-91.5. The women beat Hope 167-74 and Saginaw Valley 148-90. 

Senior Cade Vruggink won both the 1,000-yard freestyle (9:35.63) and the 100-yard freestyle (47.93). Freshman Eric Hieber won the 500-yard freestyle (4:32.31) and the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.59). Senior Chris Kelly won the one-meter diving event with a score of 290.05 and made the NCAA cut. 

Sophomore Kelly Peasley won the 50-meter freestyle (24.61) and the 100-yard freestyle (52.62). Junior Melina De Cort won the 100-meter backstroke (57.12). Sophomore Delaney Wihebrink won the 100-meter breaststroke (1:03.87) and made the NCAA B cut.

Track and Field shatters pair of records

At the Mike Lints Alumni Open in Allendale, two Lakers broke a pair of school records. Senior Isaac Harding broke the mile record for men. He finished the event clocking in at 4:03.14 and junior Tanner Chada was close behind him 4:03.74. Senior Nicole Sreenan broke the school record in the 400-meter with a time of 53.47 and she also the 200-meter at a time of 24.01.