Courtesy of Tanner Mickey, GVSU Athletic Communications Assistant

NEW ORLEANS -- The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has named Zach Panning their Division II Men's Track Athlete of the Week for the week of December 6. Panning won the 5000m at the GVSU Holiday Open taking down his conference foe James Ngandu from Tiffin, who defeated Panning during the cross country season at the GLIAC Championships and the NCAA Regional and National Championships. 

Panning broke the GVSU indoor record in the 5000m with his 14:02.23 performance at the season-opening Holiday Open. The Laker runner came into the meet fresh off of a fifth place finish at the NCAA National Cross Country Championships. Along with Panning, the Women's Division II Athlete of the Week was Kaitlyn Long of Winona State. 

GVSU does not compete again till January 13, when they host the GVSU Bob Eubanks Open at the Kelly Family Sports Center.