Holland Reporter

Next week, 43 athletes from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) will participate in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The event is scheduled to take place over three days, from May 22 to May 24, in Pueblo, Colorado.

Both GVSU teams are entering the competition with strong performances at the recent GLIAC Championship titles. The women's team has been leading in three event groups—800m, discus, and shot put—while the men's team is ranked fourth nationally.

The women's team will have 19 individual entries and two relay teams competing across a total of 15 events. This includes participation in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. In total, 21 women will represent GVSU at the championships.

On the men's side, 22 athletes are heading to Pueblo. They will compete in 11 individual events as well as two relay events.

Several individual athletes from GVSU also hold top national rankings across all divisions. Jaivon Harrison and Erika Beistle are both ranked second in their respective events—high jump and discus—with Harrison achieving a mark of 2.26m (7-4) and Beistle throwing a distance of 66.63m (218-7). Alaina Diaz ranks eighth in long jump with a mark of 6.41m (21-0.5).

Klaudia O'Malley stands out with her performance in two events; she leads Division II with a time of 15:42.43 in the 5000m event and ranks fourth with a finish of 4:18.43 in the 1500m.

Other notable athletes include Jonathan Rankins-James, who ranks second in high jump; Brooke Bowers, second in pole vault; Maggie Stevenson, second in discus; Maria Mitchell, third in the 3000m steeplechase; Shelby Ulven, fourth in hammer throw; the men's 4x100m relay squad ranked fourth; and Michael Griffey ranked fifth in hammer throw.

A comprehensive list of GVSU athletes and their event rankings can be accessed on TFRRS.org.