Posted: Oct 23, 2023
GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its third weekly awards of the 2023-24 swimming & diving season. Grand Valley State swept the awards for the second straight week, with Matt Bosch and Lucy Hedley earning GLIAC Swimmer of the Week honors and Matthew Blommel and Maddie Kooistra receiving GLIAC Diver of the Week recognition.
MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Matt Bosch, Grand Valley State
Junior Matt Bosch earns GLIAC Men’s Swimmer of the Week after posting NCAA B standard times while winning both the 100 free and the 200 free. Bosch won three events Saturday against defending NCAA Division II Champions Indianapolis. He secured NCAA B standards of 45.27 in the 100 freestyle and 1:39.90 in the 200 freestyle. The Westville, South Africa native provided the fastest split time, 44.59, while anchoring the 400 freestyle relay to victory. Additionally, Bosch and his teammates shattered the GVSU Fieldhouse Poll record in the 400 freestyle relay. The new record of 3:02.89 is almost two seconds faster than the previous record of 3:04.70. Bosch also scored points in the 50 freestyle. The honor is Bosch’s second of his career.
WOMEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Lucy Hedley, Grand Valley State
Sophomore Lucy Hedley opens the season with back-to-back GLIAC Women’s Swimmer of the Week honors. Hedley broke three GVSU Fieldhouse Pool records while leading the No.12 Lakers to an upset over No.3 Indianapolis. The Whitley Bay, England native posted 23.62 in the 50 freestyle, 50.99 in the 100 freestyle, and 1:51.18 in the 200 freestyle. All three times are NCAA B standards. Additionally, she anchored a come-from-behind victory with a split time of 23.24 in the 200 medley relay. Hedley has broken four total records in two meets this season. Although just a sophomore, this is Hedley’s eighth career GLIAC Swimmer of the Week award.
MEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Matthew Blommel, Grand Valley State
Freshman Matthew Blommel opens his career with back-to-back GLIAC Men’s Diver of the Week accolades after posting an NCAA B standard of 288.89 in the 1-meter dive Saturday. Blommel defeated the 2022 NCAA Division II Men’s 1-meter Dive Runner-up in the process. The product of Winter Springs, Fla. Also scored points in the 3-meter dive.
WOMEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Maddie Kooistra, Grand Valley State
Junior Maddie Kooistra earns GLIAC Women’s Diver of the Week for a second consecutive time to open up for 2023-24 campaign. Kooistra helped lead the No.12 Lakers to an upset victory over No.3 Indianapolis by winning the 3-meter dive. The Allendale, Mich. native secured her second NCAA point standard of the season with a score of 272.90 through six dives. Kooistra also notched her second NCAA point standard in the 1-meter dive, posting 262.79 through six dives. The honor is Kooistra’s fourth of her career.
