GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its first weekly awards following the start of the 2022-23 indoor track & field season. Grand Valley State swept the honors with Nicholas Hoffman (men's track athlete), Eli Kosiba (men's field athlete), Taryn Chapko (women's track athlete) and Emma Richards (women's field athlete) receiving recognition.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Nicholas Hoffman, Grand Valley State
Senior Nicholas Hoffman claimed a third-place finish for the Lakers in the men’s 800m last weekend at the annual Mike Lints Alumni Open. Hoffman recorded a time of 1:52.04, finishing within the NCAA Division II provisional mark of 1:52.63.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Taryn Chapko, Grand Valley State
Sophomore Taryn Chapko led the Lakers on the track, bringing home a first and second place finish on the day. Chapko placed first in the women’s mile clocking in at a time of 4:56.51, making it within the NCAA Division II provisional mark of 4:57.54. In the 400m dash, Chapko claimed second place with a time of 1:01.00.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Eli Kosiba, Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State junior Eli Kosiba broke the Grand Valley State school record in the men's high jump on Saturday, January 21 at the annual Mike Lints Alumni Open with a personal-best height of 2.23m. The previous Grand Valley State school record was set by Kosiba earlier this season at the Holiday Open on December 9th, where he reached a height of 2.20m. In addition, Kosiba surpassed the NCAA Division II provisional mark of 2.03m, making this his second time in the season to qualify.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Emma Richards, Grand Valley State
Junior Emma Richards led the women’s throw team by taking home first place for Grand Valley State at the Mike Lints Alumni Open in the women’s shot put invite with a distance of 15.00m. Richards distance of 15.00m surpassed the NCAA Division II mark of 13.63m, making this her first time this season to qualify.