GVSU track and field sweeps weekly GLIAC awards

After a series of productive performances at the Bob Eubanks Open on Saturday, Jan. 13, four members of the Grand Valley State men’s and women’s track and field teams were rewarded with GLIAC weekly honors, sweeping all four categories.

Dominating on the track for the Laker men’s team was senior Gary Hickman, who earned GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week. In the 60-meter hurdles, Hickman hit a provisional time of 8.08 seconds, currently the second best time in the GLIAC and tied for eighth in Division II. On the field, freshman Justin Scavarda earned GLIAC Field Athlete of the Week after claiming first place in the shot put with a mark of 17.76 meters and finishing second in the weight throw with 18.24 meters. His mark in the shot put is second in the GLIAC and fourth in Division II, while his weight throw distance is eighth in the GLIAC and 16th in Division II.

The women also had some noteworthy performances. On the track, senior Angela Ritter earned GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week after hitting 7.59 seconds in the 60-meter dash, along with a first-place finish Friday afternoon. Her time is the best in the GLIAC in the 60-meter dash and the third best in Division II. On the field, junior Bobbie Goodwin dominated the weight-throwing competition to win GLIAC Field Athlete of the Week after she hit a provisional mark of 19.03 meters. Goodwin’s mark ranks second in the GLIAC and fifth in Division II.

The Lakers will compete in their third straight weekend of competition at their home base, the Kelly Family Sports Center, in their host GVSU Open Invitational on Friday, Jan. 19.

GVSU rifle club competes in Camp Perry Open

Nine members from the Grand Valley State rifle club and all three coaches competed in the Camp Perry Open international air rifle event on Saturday, Jan. 13, and Sunday, Jan. 14, at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center. The match, which included 193 participants, consisted of 120 total shots fired from the standing position at 10 meters. The match attracts some of the best shooters in the U.S. and Canada, including prior Olympians and National Team members.

GVSU rifle club veteran and senior Christian Yap finished 39th overall. His total score was 1,194.8 (out of 1,308), leading the Laker club. His score of 597.5 (out of 654) on the first day of the match qualified him for the Super Final, an event in which shooters are eliminated as the match progresses. Yap was eliminated with half the field after 10 shots. His appearance marked the first time a Laker has qualified for the event in the program’s history.

The year-long season for the the GVSU rifle club is far from over, as the members will next compete in in the NRA Intercollegiate Sectional matches at home on Thursday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 27.