Grand Valley State University senior pole vaulter Kristen Hixson was recently named the GLIAC Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week after an impressive performance in the Mike Lints Alumni Open on Jan. 17.

Hixson claimed the top spot in the pole vault by clearing a height of 4.15 meters and, by doing so, became the first GVSU athlete this year to earn a trip to the national championship with an automatic qualifying mark.

She not only won the event, but also set the best mark in all of the NCAA Division II this season by more than five inches.

The formal national champion was also named the GVSU Student-Athlete of the Week.

The No. 2 Laker women and No. 4 Laker men will return to action in the GVSU 5-way on Feb. 1 at 1 p.m.