Posted: Sep 19, 2022
GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following Week 3 of competition of the 2022 cross country season. Grand Valley State swept the awards, with Tanner Chada earning GLIAC Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Week and Natalie Graber receiving GLIAC Women's Athlete of the Week recognition.
MEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Tanner Chada, Grand Valley State
Senior Tanner Chada earned his first victory of the 2022 cross country season on Friday (Sept. 16th) at the Spartan Invitational hosted in East Lansing, Michigan. Chada held roughly a 30 second lead thru the end of the race, crossing the finish line in a time of 24:03.70. Grand Valley State placed first overall for the second year in a row in the men’s 8k scoring 45 points, finishing in front of three NCAA Division I teams including No. 30 Michigan State.
WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Natalie Graber, Grand Valley State
Junior Natalie Graber was the first GVSU runner to cross the finish line with a time of 21:27.00, placing fourth overall in the women’s 6k at the Spartan Invitational. The Lakers ended with eleven runners finishing in the Top 50 awarding them a second place finish overall, falling shortly behind Michigan State. Grand Valley State has now placed second at the Spartan Invitational for four years in a row.