GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced weekly awards following Week Six of the 2018-19 indoor track and field season. Grand Valley State took honors in women's track (Rachael Walters), women's field (Elli Kimes) and men's field (Jacob Battani). Northwood's Mason Phillips was the men's track athlete of the week.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Rachael Walters – Grand Valley State
Senior Rachael Walters (Belding, Mich.) was the top collegiate athlete in the women's 800-meter run at Saturday's Meyo Invitational hosted by Notre Dame. She finished second a NCAA automatic qualifying time of 2:06.93 and helped GVSU's 4x400-meter relay place fifth in 3:46.94. Walters is ranked first in the GLIAC and third nationally in the 800.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Elli Kimes – Grand Valley State
Sophomore Elli Kimes (Cashmere, Wash.) placed second in the women's pole vault Friday at the Hillsdale Wide-Track Classic. She cleared a provisional qualifying height of 3.92 meters (12-10 ¼), which ranks first in the GLIAC and sixth nationally. She was one of four GVSU vaulters who attained provisional heights.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Mason Phillips – Northwood
Sophomore Mason Phillips (Canton, Mich.) broke his own school record in the men's 60-meter dash with a time of :06.73, which was good for second place at the Hillsdale Wide-Track Classic last weekend. His time is .01 shy of the NCAA automatic qualifying time and ranks second nationally. He was part of the Timberwolves' distance medley relay that placed first in a school-record time of 10:02.29 (converted to 9:54.22). Northwood's DMR ranks seventh nationally.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Jacob Battani – Grand Valley State
Junior Jacob Battani (Almont, Mich.) won the men's pole vault at the Hillsdale Wide-Track Classic Friday by clearing 5.02 meters (16-5 ½), which is a NCAA provisional qualifying mark. He ranks first in the GLIAC and 12th nationally in the event.