Ferris State University junior libero led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen for the third consecutive year this past fall. The three-time All-GLIAC honoree ranked among the league and national leaders with 539 total digs this season, reaching double-digits in digs in 28 of FSU's 35 outings. Bylut, a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team choice, claimed GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week honors this year and was an academic all-district honoree. She helped lead FSU to the GLIAC Tournament Championship for the third-straight time in her collegiate career and notchecd a school-record with 42 digs in a single match at the NCAA Tournament. Bylut has also previously been chosen as the GLIAC's Libero of the Year as a collegiate student-athlete.

Natalie Graber finished out her 2023 Cross Country season leading the Grand Valley State Lakers women’s team to their seventh Division II National Championship Title, as they scored a total of 59 points. Graber finished third at the NCAA Nationals, recording new personal-best 6k time of 19:50.3, in addition to earning USTFCCCA All-American honors. At the 2023 Midwest Regional Championships, Graber finished in third-place with a time of 20:09.2 earning First-Team All-Region, as the Lakers captured their 22nd consecutive Midwest Regional title with a team score of 28 points. Additionally, Graber lead Grand Valley State to their 22nd consecutive GLIAC Title and third consecutive perfect score of 15 points, as she claimed first-place in a time of 20:58.8. Graber was named the GLIAC Women’s Runner of the Year at her performance at the 2023 GLIAC Championships. Furthermore, Graber added onto her successful year with a first-place finish at the Live in Lou XC Classic as she finished the 5k with a time of 16:58.3, competing amongst Division I and II athletes. Academically, Graber was awarded with the USTFCCCA All-Academic honors and the GLIAC Academic Excellence honors, after earning a cumulative GPA of 3.9 this semester as she finishes her Doctorate degree in physical therapy.

A dominant force in the midfield for the Wildcats, Brooke Pietila excelled in her role as a permanent fixture in the starting eleven. Having only missed a few games due to injury, Pietila started in 19 matches, was fourth in minutes played among field players, second in assists, and fourth in points among the ‘Cats. Pietila earned plenty of hardware this season being one of the most important pieces for NMU; her 2023 season now includes a GLIAC Commissioners Award, Second-Team Scholar All-America, First-Team All-Region, First-Team All-GLIAC, GLIAC All-Tournament Team, and CSC Academic All-District.

Senior forward Taylor Reid earned United Coaches All-American honors for the second consecutive season. Reid was also named to the Midwest All-Region first team and the All-GLIAC first team for the second straight year. She appeared in all 24 games making 23 starts. Reid led the team in scoring with five goals, three assists, and 13 points. She also led the team with 61 shots and 28 shots on goal. Reid scored three game-winning goals including the game- winning goal against Ashland to help the Lakers win the Midwest Regional Championship. In the classroom, Reid earned a 3.85 cumulative GPA. Reid was additionally named a CoSida third team Scholar All-American.

A key piece in the Wildcat starting eleven, Maria Storm started every match and logged the second-most minutes played of field players for the 'Cats. Storm filled her trophy case this season, and rightfully so as she was one of the most important pieces for the 'Cats defensive core; her 2023 season now includes a GLIAC Commissioners Award, Third-Team All-America, First-Team Scholar All-America, First-Team All-Region, GLIAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GLIAC, and GLIAC All-Tournament Team, and CSC Academic All-District. Along with her defensive output, Storm scored two goals this season, both game-winning goals.

Senior Sarah Wight closed out her time in Allendale with the best season of her career. Wight earned All-American honors for the first time in her career, as she was named a Second-Team All-American by both the AVCA and D2SIDA. She also earned GLIAC First-Team honors, as well as AVCA and D2SIDA First-Team All-Region accolades. The middle hitter led the GLIAC, and ranked 12^th nationally, with a .391 hitting percentage, while recording 293 kills. Wight's .391 hitting percentage was the second highest mark in a single season in Grand Valley State history. Additionally, she led the Lakers with 123 total blocks , 39 service aces, and 1.12 blocks per set, ranking second in the conference. Wight played a key role in helping GVSU capture the regular season GLIAC title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament round of 32.

Wayne State University men’s cross country student-athlete Ransom Allen (Ithaca, Mich.) has earned his second consecutive GLIAC Commissioner’s Award.  Allen, who also received the honor for Fall 2022, finished his decorated collegiate career with numerous accolades, including being named Division II Men’s Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA for the Midwest Region.  Allen placed 13th at the NCAA Championship, which made him the first male runner at WSU to become a three-time All-American by the USTFCCCA.  He stamped his name into the record books at Wayne State by winning the 10K race at the NCAA Midwest Regional.  Allen also was named GLIAC Runner of the Year following his win in the 8K race at the GLIAC Championships.  The graduate student was the first Warrior since 2003 to win either the conference or regional meet.  Other accomplishments included being First Team All-GLIAC for a third straight season and being named USTFCCCA men’s Division II M-F National Athlete of the Week after his victory in the 8K Men’s Maroon Race at the Roy Griak Invitational.  Allen twice earned GLIAC Athlete of the Week honors last fall – once after finishing third at the Lewis Crossover Invite and the other for his race-winning effort at the Warrior Challenge.  Academically, Allen received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering last May and began pursuing his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering during the fall semester.  He earned a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight undergraduate semesters and will be a four-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team selection.  Allen garnered CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-America accolades for the second straight year in 2022-23.

Koby Fraaza ended the 2023 Cross Country season with a Midwest Regional Team Title, GLIAC Championship Team Title and seventh place team finish at the NCAA Division II Nationals. Fraaza earned fourth place with a time of 24:36.3 at the 2023 GLIAC Championships, as the Lakers captured their 21st consecutive title. At the Midwest Regional Championships, Fraaza placed eighth in the men’s 10k with a time of 31:10.4 earning First-Team All-Region and helping Grand Valley State secure their 21st consecutive title. Fraaza recorded a new personal-best 10k time at the NCAA Divison II Nationals where he finished in 31st place with a time of 30:11.3. Additionally, Fraaza was awarded USTFCCCA All-American honors for his performance at the Division II Nationals. In the classroom, Fraaza earned the USTFCCCA All-Academic honors and the GLIAC Academic Excellence honors, after earning a cumulative GPA of 3.9 this semester as he finishes his degree in Biomedical Sciences.

Grand Valley State senior defensive end Colton Hyble turned in a stellar senior season en route to being named a recipient of the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award. In addition, Hyble was a College Sports Communicators First-Team Academic All-American, First-Team All-GLIAC and was also honored as a member of the 2023 AFCA All-State All-Good Works Team. Hyble tallied 41 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss (-19), 2.5 quarterback sacks (-13), five quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries and three pass break ups during the 2023 campaign. In addition, Hyble was a key figure in a defense that led the nation in QB sacks with 51 and ranked seventh in TFL with 95. For his career McCarroll tallied 151 career tackles, 15.0 QB sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss. Hyble was a key performer in the Lakers' 2023 GLIAC Championship and a final ranking of number three in the country. 

Sam Kinne, hailing from Metamora, Michigan, earned the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award for the first time in his career. This marks the second GLIAC award Kinne has received this season, as he was tabbed as the 2023 recipient of the GLIAC's Jack H. McAvoy Award, which is presented annually to a GLIAC football player who best combines outstanding character and leadership on the field, in the classroom and the community. On the gridiron, Kinne was a team captain for the 2023 season, being tabbed to the Second Team All-GLIAC (defense), playing in all 10 games. He played in 30 games for Tech over his career, competing in every game in the 2019, 2021 and 2023 seasons, totaling 136 tackles and seven sacks. Kinne concluded his career with his best season, producing 62 total tackles, three sacks and a fumble recovery he returned for a 47-yard touchdown in the season and home opener against Hillsdale. Academically, Kinne was a three-time GLIAC Academic Excellence team member and completed his chemical engineering degree last spring, holding a 3.82 GPA and will be completing his MBA this spring. He also was named to the CSC Academic All-District team.

Alejandro Martinez has been recognized for his play both on and off the pitch this season by receiving the GLIAC Commissioner’s Award. In the classroom Martinez carried a 3.58 GPA coming into the fall semester. Martinez was on a tear this season leading the Rangers in multiple categories, including goals (8), points (20), and shots on goal (29). His remarkable play on the field has led to a plethora of awards. Martinez was voted as a GLIAC First-Team midfielder, Midwest All-Region First Team, and Third Team All-American. During the season the Spaniard also received GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for week one. The midfielder capped off his 2023 season by recording two goals the NCAA Tournament match against Maryville.

Ferris State University senior defensive end Olalere Oladipo concluded a stellar collegiate career this past fall, earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-America First Team recognition. The three-time GLIAC Commissioner's Award recipient claimed academic all-america laurels for the second-straight year and finished his college career as a two-time national champion on the defensive front. Oladipo totaled a team-high 10 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior while ranking among the squad leaders with 43 total stops, including 23 solo tackles. Oladipo was also a three-time GLIAC All-Academic Excellence team member on the college level and claimed All-GLIAC First Team honors this past season as the Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs for a nation-leading ninth consecutive campaign.