GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its third weekly awards of the 2022-23 outdoor track & field season. Grand Valley State graduate student Jackson Blanchard (men's track), Saginaw Valley State senior Lauren Buckner (women's track), Davenport senior Noah Evers (men's field) and Lake Superior State junior Jenna Fleming (women's field) were honored.
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Jackson Blanchard, Grand Valley State
Jackson Blanchard was named the GLIAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week for the first time in the 2023 outdoor track season, after competing at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational last weekend. Blanchard placed first in the men's 400m hurdles for the Lakers with a time of 52.09, surpassing the NCAA Division II provisional mark of 53.32. Currently, Blanchard ranks first in the Division II Midwest Region after last weekend's performance and seventh on the USTFCCCA National List (Division II).
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Lauren Buckner, Saginaw Valley State
Lauren Buckner, hit a NCAA Division II provisional this week in the 800-meter run at the Golden Grizzly T&F Invite in Rochester, Michigan. The senior took the crown for the event by over three seconds clocking a 2:11.87 qualifying her for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in May. Buckner moved to the sixth best time in the GLIAC for the outdoor season thus far. Buckner joins five others in the conference to qualify for the National Championships in the 800m run.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Noah Evers, Davenport
Noah Evers placed second in the shot put at the Oakland Golden Grizzly Invitational on Saturday. He improved on his provisional mark in the process and is currently ninth in Division II (57-10.25).
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK - Jenna Fleming, Lake Superior State
Jenna Fleming (Hilton Beach, Ont.) earned a first place finish in the javelin throw at the Golden Grizzlies Invitational, hosted by Oakland University, in dominant fashion, throwing for a distance of 44.33 meters, nearly eight meters farther than the second place finisher. Fleming bested nine NCAA Division I throwers during the event for the 12th first place finish in the javelin throw of her career. She currently ranks eighth on the USTFCCA National List (Division II).
