GV Swimming and Diving dominates GLIAC tournament

This past weekend, both the men’s and women’s team claimed first in the conference at the GLIAC Championship Meet. This will be the men’s seventh straight title, racking up 1,702.5 points in their first place finish. The women scored 1,200 points on their path to victory and won 18 events. 

Awards from the season were also announced at the tournament. GVSU won all eight awards at the event:

• 2021 GLIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Year – Eric Hieber
• 2021 GLIAC Men’s Diver of the Year – Chris Kelly
• 2021 GLIAC Men’s Freshman of the Year – Eric Hieber 
• 2021 GLIAC Women’s Swimmer of the Year – Sam Laurich 
• 2021 GLIAC Women’s Diver of the Year – Sarah Puscas 
• Representing both the Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year – Andy Boyce 

A few notable performances from the men’s team came from Hieber in the 1,650 freestyle (15:31.79). Keegan Hawkins also won the 200 breast stroke (1:59.08).

For the women’s team, Neta Shiff finished first in the 1650 (16:53.39). Melina De Cort won the 200 backstroke (2:00.42) and Samantha Laurich won the 200 breaststroke (2:16.15). 

Men’s Basketball team splits weekend series against Tech 

The GVSU men’s basketball team won their first game of the weekend series against Michigan Tech 70-62.

It was the Lakers’ fourth straight win where Jake Van Tubbergen led the Lakers in scoring with 17 points while also grabbing eight rebounds. Christian Negron added another 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, blocked three shots and had two steals. Jordan Harris scored 14 points, dished out five assists and pulled down four rebounds. Deleon Brown also scored 14 points. 

The game was back and forth leading into the second half. In the second half, the Lakers clamped down on defense. Their perimeter defense held the Huskies in check from three as the team made only 8-29 shots from downtown. 

The second game of the series didn’t go as well for the Lakers as they lost 62-75. Harris led the team in scoring with 23 points and made four 3-point shots. Negron had seven points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Before fouling out, Van Tubbergen added another 11 points. 

After falling behind 22-2, the Laker offense was sparked by a 9-0 run. Going into halftime, the score was 40-26, with Tech in the lead.

The Lakers outscored the Huskies in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their first half deficit. This weekend series puts the Lakers overall record at 9-6.