Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) athletes and coaches have received top honors from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) following their performances in the 2025 indoor track and field season. The announcement came after the NCAA Division II Championships, where GVSU's athletes excelled.

Scott Spaanstra was named the men's track athlete of the year. He reflected on his season saying it was "the best season of [his] life." Spaanstra's achievements included a first-place finish in both the 800m and distance medley relay (DMR) at the GLIAC Indoor Championships, leading to GVSU's 24th indoor conference title. He earned All-America honors with a sixth-place finish in the 800m at the NCAA DII Indoor Championships.

Lauren Kiley was recognized as the women's track athlete of the year. She competed in several events throughout the season, securing top national rankings. At the GLIAC Indoor Championships, she won the 3000m event and anchored her team to victory in the DMR. Kiley also claimed an NCAA DII Individual Champion title in the 3000m.

Eli Kosiba was awarded men's field athlete of the year for his consistent high jump performances, including tying a record set by Jim Dilling in 2007. Kosiba achieved National Champion status at the NCAA DII Championships with a jump of 2.23m (7-3.75).

Kaylee Diamond received women's field athlete of the year honors after breaking multiple records during her season, culminating in a National Champion title at the NCAA DII Indoor Championships with a jump of 1.81m (5-11.25).

GVSU head coach Jerry Baltes and his staff were named GLIAC Coaching Staff of the Year as they led both men's and women's teams to conference titles. Assistant coaches Steve Jones and Alan Peterson were recognized as men's and women's assistant coaches of the year, respectively.

Jones' coaching prowess was evident as his athletes performed strongly throughout the season, contributing significantly to GVSU's success at both conference and national levels.

Peterson's mid-distance/distance crew scored highly at both GLIAC Indoor Championships and NCAA DII Indoor Championships, adding to GVSU's impressive team performance.