Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's track and field teams began their indoor season at the GVSU Holiday Open on December 6 in Allendale, Michigan. The event featured personal bests, facility records, team records, and a national record.

Eli Kosiba made headlines by clearing a height of 2.30 meters in the high jump, breaking his own indoor record and the Kelly Family Sports Center record. This achievement also tied the NCAA Division II men's indoor high jump record set in 2007. His teammates Marcus Gelpi and Jonathan "JayJay" Rankins-James secured second and third places with jumps of 2.09 meters.

Kaylee Diamond, competing for Grand Valley for the first time after transferring from Aquinas, tied the school's indoor high jump record with a leap of 1.76 meters, securing first place in the women's event.

In pole vaulting events, Dolan Gonzales won the men's competition with a height of 5.15 meters, while Colton Emeott came second at 4.80 meters. Brooke Bowers led the women's team with a third-place finish at 3.65 meters.

Luke Jelderks took first place in the men's long jump with a distance of 7.30 meters, followed by Chrisly Kelly-Cannon in second place at 7.19 meters. Among true freshmen women competitors, Nyla Reed placed fifth in her debut collegiate event with a jump of 5.36 meters.

The Lakers' sprinting squad saw Jake Machiniak take first place in the men's 60m dash preliminaries with a personal-best time of 6.83 seconds; he later finished second in the finals of the 200m race with another personal best of 21.40 seconds.

Joshua Hurt claimed victory in the men's 60m hurdles final with a personal-best time of 7.99 seconds.

In distance events, Quinton Bauer achieved third place in the men's 800m race with a personal-best time of 1:52.77 minutes, while Addison Washler marked her debut by winning the women's race at this distance.

The Lakers also excelled in throwing events as Myles Kerner won first place in shot put with an impressive throw of 19.44 meters and James MacKey Jr secured victory in weight throw at a distance of 20.52 meters.

Grand Valley's track and field teams will return to action on January 18 for the GVSU Bob Eubanks Open at their home venue.