Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's track and field teams achieved notable placements at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Nationals held in Pittsburg, Kansas. The men's team secured a second-place finish with a total of 56.5 points, trailing behind Pittsburg State, which scored 69 points. The women's team claimed fourth place with 48 points, following Minnesota State (54 points), Pittsburg State (64.5 points), and Adams State (67 points).

The event saw Grand Valley State athletes earn four individual National Champion titles on the second day of competition across both the men's and women's categories. In the men's events, three individual titles were won in shot put, high jump, and mile races, while the women claimed a title in shot put.

Myles Kerner successfully defended his indoor National title in the men's shot put with a throw of 19.31 meters, marking him as the first Laker to secure an individual title on day two.

In high jump events for men, Jaivon Harrison led by winning his first individual Division II National title with a height of 2.19 meters. Jonathan Rankins-James followed closely with a second-place finish at the same height, while Eli Kosiba tied for sixth place at 2.13 meters. This performance collectively contributed 20.5 points to Grand Valley's score.

Caleb Futter earned an individual crown for his performance in the men's mile race, finishing with a time of 4:18.02 and adding another 10 points to the team's tally.

For the women's team, Erika Beistle emerged victorious in the shot put event with a distance of 16.37 meters. Reette Thorns also performed well by securing seventh place with her throw of 14.73 meters.

Additional commendable performances included Klaudia O'Malley and Taryn Chapko each securing fourth places in their respective events—O'Malley in the women's mile with a personal-best time of 4:43.71 and Chapko in the 800m race recording a time of 2:09.15.

In the women's 3000m race, Lauren Kiley finished seventh setting a new personal best at 9:27.58 followed by Natalie Graber who came eighth clocking at 9:27.84.

Concluding their season, both teams maintained strong positions as defending GLIAC Champions; men as Division II National Runner-Ups and women securing fourth place nationally.