BAY CITY, Mich. -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced weekly awards following the fourth weekend of the 2017 outdoor track and field season. In women's competition, Saginaw Valley senior Taylor Stepanski earned GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week honors, while Grand Valley State junior Dajsha Avery captured GLIAC Field Athlete of the Week accolades. On the men's side, Tiffin's James Ngandu earned GLIAC Track Athlete of the Week distinction, while Grand Valley State senior Samora Nesbitt captured GLIAC Field Athlete of the Week recognition.

WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Taylor Stepanski, Saginaw Valley

Saginaw Valley senior Taylor Stepanski sealed a trip to the 2017 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships after her performance at the Bucknell Bison Outdoor Classic over the weekend. She posted an automatic qualifying mark in the 1,500 meters, finishing with a time of 4:23.37 that ranks 5th nationally and 2nd in the GLIAC. She added a provisional qualifying mark in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.63, which is the top time in the league and 10th-best in the nation. 

WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Dajsha Avery, Grand Valley State

GVSU junior Dajsha Avery placed sixth in the shot put at this weekend’s Beach Invitational hosted by Long Beach State. The Huber Heights, Ohio native threw a distance of 15.26m (50’ 0.75”), good enough for the top distance in the GLIAC and the fourth best mark in all of Division II. 

MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - James Ngandu, Tiffin

Tiffin's James Ngandu hit an automatic NCAA qualifying mark in the 5000 meters, posting a time of 13:46.63 at the Mt. Sac Relays in Torrance, California. It was the second fastest time in NCAA Division II this season, and is the top mark in the GLIAC. It also shattered his own school record by 22 seconds. 

MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Samora Nesbitt, Grand Valley State

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