Quick hits: Football and cross country GLIAC honors, “Downtown Thursdays”

GVSU football Garrett Pougnet named GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week

With six total tackles, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery resulting in a 37-yard defensive touchdown during the Lakers’ 34-6 victory over Saginaw Valley State, it would be an understatement to say it was a quiet day for Grand Valley State football player Garrett Pougnet.

The senior linebacker was rewarded for his dominance by being named the GLIAC Defensive Player of the Week by the league offense Monday, Oct. 2. He is the first Laker to be selected for the honor so far this season. 

Pougnet currently leads the team in tackles with 32 (15 solo, 17 assisted), while also adding three tackles for loss and one sack. During the span of his career, Pougnet has recorded 219 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions.

Pougnet and the rest of the Laker defense will face a tough task against the offensive-heavy Wayne State Warriors on the road Saturday, Oct. 7. 

Two GVSU cross country runners sweep GLIAC honors

After strong performances against mostly Division I cross country programs at the Greater Louisville Classic Saturday, Sept. 30, men’s runner Wuoi Mach and women’s runner Allie Ludge were both rewarded with GLIAC weekly awards.

Senior Mach broke the men’s school record with time of 23:40.9 to earn the nomination of GLIAC Men’s Athlete of the Week. The time was the best out of all Division II runners and ninth overall in the field. This is Mach’s second time this season being rewarded with the GLIAC nod.

Sophomore Ludge was also the top Division II runner, finishing with a time of 17:33.3. The finish was enough to land the Lakers top honors in the Division II race. More surprisingly, this was Ludge’s first time competing for the Lakers so far this season.

Currently, the women’s team is ranked No. 1 nationally in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Association rankings (USTFCCA), while the men’s team currently holds the No. 2 spot.

GVSU basketball programs announce DeltaPlex dates

In coordination with Grand Valley State Athletics, the GVSU men’s and women’s basketball teams announced that they will play three games in downtown Grand Rapids in the months of December, January and February. 

“Downtown Thursdays,” sponsored by Campus View, will be played at the DeltaPlex, the home of the Detroit Pistons’ G-League team, the Grand Rapids Drive. 

The three installments of “Downtown Thursdays” will occur Dec. 7 versus Michigan Technological University, Jan. 18 versus Lake Superior State and Feb. 8 versus Wayne State. All of the men’s games will occur at 6 p.m., while the women will play at 8 p.m.

Grandstand seating begins at just $10 per game, with bonus discounts for GVSU students, faculty and staff. For groups of 10 or more, each ticket will be $2 cheaper.

For more information, log onto www.gvsulakers.com or visit www.deltaplex.com/box-office/.