Carter named finalist for Harlon Hill Award

Martayveus Carter of the Grand Valley State football team was named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, which is given to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. Carter, a sophomore running back, is one of nine national finalists.

The top two players from the three super regions advanced to the final voting, but due to a tie in Super Region 4, three advanced from that region. The nine finalists include six quarterbacks, two running backs and a receiver. Five of the player’s were on teams competing in the NCAA Quarterfinals, and seven helped their teams to the playoffs.

Carter has had a breakout sophomore campaign, rushing for 1,908 yards, running for 20 touchdowns and catching one more. He even completed one of his two passing attempts for a 32 yard gain.

Carter ranks first among running backs in the nation with 7.6 yards per carry for running backs with 200 or more carries. He was named the GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year and tallied seven runs of 50 yards or more in the season. He was named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week three times and broke the GVSU single-game rushing record with 298 yards against Northern Michigan Sept. 17.

He is the first GVSU running back nominated for the award since Eric Lynch in 1990. Lynch was a finalist in 1989 and 1990. Former GVSU quarterback Curt Anes is the last Laker to win the award in 2002.

The winner of the 2016 Harlon Hill Award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 16 via webcast. The winner will be honored at a luncheon at the University of North Alabama campus Jan. 6, 2017.

Three Lakers named NSCAA All-Americans

The Grand Valley State women’s soccer team was well represented in the NSCAA All-American teams. Midfielder Marti Corby and forward Gabriella Mencotti were named NSCAA All-American First Team, and defender Clare Carlson earned a spot on the Second Team.

With the nomination, Corby, the two-time NSCAA Player of the Year, is now a four-time NSCAA All-American. This season, Corby led the nation in assists with 24, and scored four goals in five games in the NCAA tournament. She ranks first in GVSU history in assists (61), fourth in goals (59) and third in points (179).

Mencotti earned an All-American honor for the first time in her career. She led the nation in goals with 29 and points with 70. Her junior season included eight multi-goal games and two games with four or more goals. She was also named the D2CCA Player of the Year and will be in contention for the NSCAA Player of the Year.

With this year’s selection, Carlson makes her second straight appearance as an All-American for her contributions on the GVSU defense. The Lakers’ defense recorded 20 shutouts throughout the season. Carlson was also named a D2CCA All-American First Team selection.