NEW ORLEANS - Grand Valley State finally kicked off its outdoor season and took over the charts as the Lakers were named the No. 1 women's track and field program in this week's edition of the National Rating Index.
The group posted top performances across all disciplines this past weekend at the Florida Relays, the Raleigh Relays and the Embry-Riddle Spikes Classic, which included Allie Ludge (leads the nation in the 1500 and sixth overall in the 800), Rachel Walters (second in the 800), Gina Patterson (second in the 5000), Madison Goen (third in the 5000), Hanna Groeber (fourth in the 10,000) and Jessica Eby (fourth in the 400H).
The team's 4×100 and 4×400 units also posted times that rank them sixth overall nationally.
This is the first time that GVSU has been ranked No. 1 since Week 6 last year.
Holding steady in the No. 2 spot was SF State after spending the weekend at the Stanford Invitational and Mike Fanelli Track Classic. Leaping up a single-spot to No. 3 was West Texas A&M. Falling three spots to No. 4 was Angelo State.
GVSU leads Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams in the men's poll, coming in at fifth.
The Ashland women's team is 16th, while AU men's team is 21st.