Big Meet means big opportunities for GVSU
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GVL / Megan Sinderson
Jordan Chester, Sophomore, running the mile at the GVSU quad meet.
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It’s safe to say few athletes will find themselves lonesome Friday or Saturday at the Kelly Family Sports Center. Last year, 1800 athletes and 80 teams competed in Grand Valley State University’s Big Meet and comparable attendance is expected this year.
“One of the cool things about it is that there are teams from all over,” said GVSU distance coach Nick Polk. “We’ve got Division II teams like Adams State coming, teams from the Midwest, a lot of teams we’ve competed against – Illinois schools, Ohio schools, Indiana schools – new people.”
Few athletes will be out purely for themselves either.
“Another cool thing about this meet is that people are just looking to run fast,” Polk said. “They’re not necessarily looking to win races – it’s more of a time trial atmosphere. Everyone’s here to help each other run fast.”
With only one more meet left after this weekend separating the Lakers from the GLIAC Championships, which will be held here at GVSU on Feb. 23 and 24 there won’t be a better opportunity for athletes to run fast the rest of the way.
“This is a big weekend for us,” said GVSU’s head track and field coach Jerry Baltes. “This is our qualifying weekend. In a lot of events, this is our last really, really big shot. We can still qualify those last two weeks, but this is our big weekend that we’ve been shooting for to get fast times.”
The GVSU men ranked back up to No. 5 this week in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association poll as the GVSU women narrowly held out at No. 1. Both teams are in good shape and there will be time to improve both placements in the coming weeks.
“Just across the board, I think there’s at least one person in every event where we can try and get a big mark,” said sprint, hurdle and relay coach Keith Roberts. “Conference (GLIAC Championship) is another week where we try to do that, but conference is more about that final score at the end of the day.”
For now, it’s the times, not the placement, which will need to be tended to.
“The goal is to just try to hit qualifying times,” Polk said. “I’m not really concerned if our guys are first, or fifth or tenth. As long as they hit the time we want them to hit.”
With the indoor season nearing a close, Baltes has his team paced for an exciting finish. With both conference and national titles up for grabs, it’s still anyone’s race and Baltes emphasizes that his program does not take the indoor season lightly.
“A lot of programs will train through the indoor season,” Baltes said. “We’re not training through the indoor season. We’re ready to go and we’re going to put our best foot forward.”
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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