GV Football senior Allante Leapheart for NFL Draft

During winter break, Grand Valley State University cornerback Allante Leapheart’s name appeared in an article posted by Draft Diamonds. Specializing in NFL draftees that attend smaller schools, Justin Berendzen talked to Leapheart about what makes him a diamond in the rough.

Leapheart’s unique background in both football and his life growing up has influenced his approach to the game of football in plenty of ways that make him stand out in a crowd. The quick-fire style interview allowed Leapheart to highlight his competitive nature on the field, his versatility as a corner back and safety that can go inside and outside, and a source for electric energy on a team.

“If there needs to be a spark, I’m that spark,” Leapheart said to Berendzen. “(To prepare for the draft) I have a senior bowl, and then just training my butt off, and then going to a pro day and just showing I belong.”

The 28-year-old football senior has certainly had a long journey on his way to live out his dream of being a pro, and with his last collegiate football season officially over, he’s now ready to move forward with his career and continue to give it everything he’s got.

GV men’s DI club hockey ties in OT at MSU

In a last minute COVID-19-induced cancellation of a back-to-back weekend against Davenport University, the Grand Valley State University men’s DI club hockey team was able to swing in at the last second with Michigan State University’s Division II club hockey team. MSU also had their weekend against Oakland University cancelled for similar reasons, and played against GVSU instead on Saturday, Jan. 8 in East Lansing.

The game started with an early goal by junior wing Shane Haggerty with an assist from junior wing Zach Kippe just 1:44 into the first period. Before the end of the first, MSU came back with three goals in a row.

To make a small dent in MSU’s lead, junior wing Zach Borchardt scored another GVSU goal 10 minutes into the second, assisted by junior defender Tyler Hofmann and freshman wing Josh Suzio. MSU rebounded with a goal one minute later, but sophomore center Nick Sommerfield put one more in the back of the net with an assist from junior defender Cam Beckwith to up the score 3-4.

In the third and final period, MSU scored the first goal 13 minutes in to bring their lead up by two points, but Borchardt returned the favor with a goal of his own assisted by Suzio and sophomore wing Sam Lechel. With the score up to 4-5, Borchardt stole the game with less than one minute left, scoring a goal assisted by Haggerty to tie it up 5-5.