Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's track and field teams completed the first day of a two-day weekend at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, and the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana. Over 30 athletes from the Lakers participated in these events.

A standout performance was delivered by Kaylee Diamond, who broke a 32-year-old school record in the indoor high jump. The junior transfer from Aquinas cleared 1.78 meters (5-10.25) on her first attempt, surpassing Kelly O'Brien's 1993 record of 1.76 meters (5-9.25). Diamond had previously tied this record at December's GVSU Holiday Open.

Mason Floria achieved a personal best in the men's 60-meter event within the heptathlon, clocking in at 7.03 seconds. This result not only secured him first place but also added 872 points to his heptathlon score.

Lucas Lesher set a personal best at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invite with a weight throw of 16.79 meters (55-1). Other notable performances included James MacKey Jr.'s third-place finish with a weight throw of 19.01 meters (62-4.5), Colton Emeott's fourth-place pole vault of 4.74 meters (15-6.5), and Michael Griffey's fourth-place weight throw of 18.84 meters (61-9.75).

At the Midwest Classic, several Lakers qualified for finals based on their preliminary times and positions in the 60-meter race: Taylor Kyle finished second in her heat with a time of 7.69 seconds; Myles Rhodes and Michael McNeil also advanced to finals with times of 6.86 and 6.90 seconds respectively.

In the men's 200-meter event, McNeil improved his standing by tying for eighth place in GVSU history with a time of 21.66 seconds, while Desmond Chapa achieved an eighth-place finish at 21.82 seconds after breaking his previous personal best.

The women's team saw Alaina Diaz improve her personal best to finish eighth in the women's 200-meter race with a time of 24.51 seconds, while freshman Claire Neumann set a new personal record finishing fourteenth at 25.04 seconds.

In women's weight throw events, Alexandra DiCanio threw for twelfth place at 14.80 meters (48-6.75), Sophia Snellenberger placed fourteenth with a throw of 14.49 meters (47-6.5), and Natalia Pluff came fifteenth with a distance of 14.03 meters (46-0).

The Lakers will continue their participation tomorrow across three events: PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, Midwest Classic, and Notre Dame Meyo Invitational.