Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's track and field teams have claimed all Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) athlete of the week awards for the week of March 31, 2025. This announcement marks a successful weekend for the Lakers, as several athletes competed in events across multiple meets. The honored athletes are Klaudia O'Malley, Myles Rhodes, Erika Beistle, and Jaivon Harrison.

Klaudia O'Malley, a mid-distance and distance runner, received the first GLIAC women's track athlete of the week honors of the 2025 outdoor season. During her season debut at the Raleigh Relays hosted by NC State, O'Malley secured a personal-best time in the women's 1500m, completing the race in 4:18.43. This performance ties her for the second-fastest in Grand Valley State's history and positions her first in the NCAA Division II standings. O'Malley also ran in the 800m and 4x400m relay events during the weekend, where her 800m finish of 2:10.51 ranked her 12th in Division II.

Senior sprinter Myles Rhodes earned the GLIAC men's track athlete of the week honors following his participation in both the Bobcat Invitational and Texas Relays. At the Bobcat Invitational, Rhodes set personal bests in the 200m and 400m events. His 21.06 time in the 200m placed him 11th in NCAA Division II and fifth in the school's history. In the 400m, Rhodes shattered the Grand Valley State program record with a 46.37 finish, placing second and ranking third in Division II. Additionally, Rhodes competed in two 4x100m and one 4x400m relay events, anchoring all three and achieving a top-three finish in GVSU history in the 4x100m with a time of 40.34.

Erika Beistle was named GLIAC women's field athlete of the week after participating in the Texas Relays and Bobcat Invitational. As the defending DII outdoor discus champion, Beistle excelled with a 60.46m throw, placing second at the Texas Relays. Her performance at the Bobcat Invitational included a second-place throw of 49.40m. Beistle ranks first in NCAA Division II and fifth nationwide across all divisions.

Jaivon Harrison, a men's high jumper, received the GLIAC men's field athlete of the week honors. In his season debut at the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, Texas, Harrison matched the first-place mark of 2.19m on his second attempt, ultimately securing second place based on countback. This achievement positions him first in NCAA Division II and ties him for fifth in the nation across all divisions.