Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's cross country team finished its regular season at the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Illinois. The event featured four races: men's and women's 8k and 6k white (open) races, followed by men's and women's 8k and 6k red (invite) races. Across these races, 19 Lakers achieved personal-best times.

In the men's white race, Evan Nosek led Grand Valley State, finishing third with a personal-best time of 25:08.48. Jacob Esser and Drennan Akins followed, placing sixth and seventh with times of 25:17.28 and 25:19.54. Colin Hanson and Dylan Esser completed the top five for the Lakers, finishing 12th and 13th. Other personal-best performances came from Ian Fowler and Kilian Whalen.

The women's white race saw Abby Young and Annie Alkema lead with personal-best times, finishing third and ninth. Addison Washler finished 13th, while Katrina Sandman and Sinead Noonan posted personal bests in 16th and 18th place. Carly Elkin also recorded a personal-best time.

In the men's red (invite) race, Iain Forrest was the top Laker, placing 18th. Kyler Dean, Logan Tracia, Connor Nolan, and Gabriel Connelly followed closely, all recording personal-best times. Seth Conner also achieved a personal best in his collegiate debut.

The women's red race included four personal-best performances and four collegiate debuts for GVSU athletes. Karen Kiratu led with a personal-best 6k time, followed by Megan Postma and Maria Widmann, who also set personal records. Annika Sandman and Violet Hrabovsky completed the top five, with Sandman recording a personal best and Hrabovsky finishing her collegiate 6k debut. Emma Gunnett, Ava Crews, and Mea D'Agostino also made their 6k debuts.

Grand Valley State cross country will begin postseason competition next week at the 2025 GLIAC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Davenport University at the Calvin University Cross Country course. Additional information will be available on gvsulakers.com in the coming days.