Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University concluded the first day of the 2025 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Pueblo, Colorado. The women's team leads with 16 points, while the men's team is tied for seventh place with eight points.

In the men's pole vault, Dolan Gonzales achieved a personal best of 5.22 meters, placing sixth and ranking fourth in Grand Valley State history. Shelby Ulven earned the title of National Runner-Up in the women's hammer throw with a mark of 61.07 meters. Alaina Diaz also secured a runner-up position in long jump with her final attempt reaching 6.37 meters.

Michael Griffey finished fourth in men's hammer throw, earning his first outdoor All-American honor with a mark of 64.23 meters on his third attempt.

Five Lakers advanced to finals from preliminary events held during the day. The women's 4x100m relay team finished fifth in their heat and did not advance to finals. However, the men's relay squad set a school record at 39.56 seconds, advancing them to Saturday's finals.

Klaudia O'Malley will compete again on Saturday after finishing first in her heat during the 1500m preliminaries. Pat Lyell did not advance despite competing in the same event.

In men's 400m, Myles Rhodes qualified for finals with a personal-best time of 46.29 seconds, setting a program record, while Zach Pray also recorded a personal best but did not advance.

Maria Mitchell and Owen Westerkamp qualified for finals in the 3000m steeplechase scheduled for Friday evening.

Destini Dorkins competed in the 400m hurdles but did not advance to finals. In the women's and men's 10000m finals, Ana Tucker finished 16th and Abby VanderKooi placed 21st; Sam Martens was 20th among men.

The second day will feature fewer events for Grand Valley State athletes, including discus throws by Erika Beistle and Maggie Stevenson at 2 p.m., followed by Nathan Spitzley and James MacKey Jr. at 5 p.m., along with Kaylee Diamond's high jump competition at around 4:45 p.m.

Lilly Alberts and Megan Postma will run in the women's 800m preliminaries before Scott Spaanstra and Sam Allen take part at around 6:15 p.m., followed by Brooke Barkocy's participation in women's hurdles at approximately 6:35 p.m.

The day's events conclude with Maria Mitchell and Owen Westerkamp competing again in steeplechase finals, followed by both women’s and men’s relay teams aiming to qualify for Saturday's races.

Results and previews will be available on gvsulakers.com after each day's events conclude.