GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its first weekly awards following the start of the 2021-22 indoor track and field season. Grand Valley State sophomore Isaac Harding and Saginaw Valley State junior Cheyenne Willamson earned the track athlete of the week awards while Northwood senior Nathan Powers and Grand Valley State junior Emma Richards were named field athletes of the week.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Isaac Harding, Grand Valley State
Sophomore Isaac Harding (Grand Rapids, Mich.) set a new indoor school record in the men's 5000m at the GVSU Holiday Open on Dec. 3. Harding crossed the line with a personal-best time of 13:41.78, the third fastest time in NCAA DII history. Harding's time easily makes it within the NCAA DII provisional mark by more than 45 seconds.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Nathan Powers, Northwood
Senior Nathan Powers (Saline, Mich.) set a new Northwood school record in the weight throw, tossing 20.18 meters for an NCAA Provisional mark. That was the top mark from a DII athlete at the event and good for third overall. His toss broke the record of former NU All-American Paul Evans (20.11 meters). Powers’ mark currently sits him second in Division II in the event.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Cheyenne Williamson, Saginaw Valley State
Junior Cheyenne Williamson (Essexville, Mich.) set a new school record in the 60-meter hurdles with a winning time of 8.38 seconds. She also took first place in the long jump with a leap of 6.21 meters, and sixth in the shot put with a toss of 11.94. Williamson was a part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team that had a time of 3:55.75.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Emma Richards, Grand Valley State
Junior Emma Richards (Fredonia, Wis.) took first at the GVSU Holiday Open in the shot put event, putting a personal-best distance of 15.16m. Richards' mark makes it is the fourth best indoor record in GVSU history, and is well within the NCAA DII provisional mark of 13.70m.
