Issue 34, June 10, 2019 - Grand Valley Lanthorn

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

!"#$%&'()*%( "(+,)$-,.$

GV claims 26th President’s Trophy

City commission candidate proposes cannabis tax to support communities SEE GRAND RAPIDS | A3

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Presents “Newsies” SEE THEATER | A9

! " # $ % &'( ) * # + '( , -'( . - , / ( 00( 1" 2 3( 4 5 ( # "3( 5 6

7 81 2 % # 9 : " ; #

2%#9:";#3<"!

!!%| "#$% NEWS BRIEFS LAKER EFFECT CAMPAIGN GOAL EXTENDED

The Laker Effect Campaign, organized by the Grand Valley University foundation, has exceeded its original goal of $85 million.

The goal has since been raised to $100 million, which officials hope to exceed before the campaign is over. President Thomas Haas announced the new goal at the GVU Foundation’s Enrichment Dinner June 4.

“Thank you to our donors for having the confidence and belief that Grand Valley delivers on its promises, and for expanding the Laker Effect for our students and our community,” Haas said.

The campaign, which helps provide scholarships to students in need, is Grand Valley State University’s second multiyear campaign. Both have exceeded their original goals. Along with providing scholarships, the Laker Effect Campaign funds campus development like the Jamie Hosford Football Center and the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.

FELLOWSHIP MEDAL AWARDED TO FORMER GOVERNOR, AMBASSADOR

The Col. Ralph W. Hauenstein Fellowship Medal was awarded to former ambassador and governor of South Carolina Nikki Haley.

The ceremony took place May 29 at the DeVos Place and was organized by the Grand Rapids Economic Club. This honor recognizes individuals who exhibit great leadership and service.

Haley previously served as the first female governor of South Carolina from 2011-2017.

She was also a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2017-2018. As the first IndianAmerican governor in the United States, Haley exemplified the ethical leadership the Hauenstein Center seeks for award recipients.

$+",-./0#

$&'()*+,-.*/012('34.50/6*(.7+373-28-.

(3.2'/.904/'46.:+24/.;27'/-.-1&338BY OLIVIA FELLOWS OFELLOWS@LANTHORN.COM

Since her gubernatorial race victory in November and inauguration in January, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made clear her plans for big budget issues in Michigan like healthcare reform, road construction and LGBTQ rights.

Whitmer also voiced her plans for Michigan’s education system reform and has introduced her education budget plan for 2020, which will target low-income areas and at-risk students in Michigan, with schools in the Grand Rapids area receiving more than $360 per student as proposed by increases in funding.

John Helmholdt, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs for Grand Rapids Public Schools, explained that the proposal and subsequent plan for additional revenues is a significant step forward and will help make progress toward schools’ goals, especially considering that the education quality of young students in the Grand Rapids area needs much improvement and support.

“Our goal is for every child to graduate from high school college — or career — ready,” Helmholdt said. “We know that in

PROPOSAL: Gov. Whitmer recently unveiled her education budget, which would provide in-need schools to receive more funding per pupil, taking effect in 2020. COURTESY | www.CHALKBEAT.ORG

high-poverty areas, students starting kindergarten are one to two years behind students in more affluent areas, and additional effort and resources are necessary to elevate students’ proficiency. It costs more to educate a high school student than an elemen-

tary student, and yet the per-pupil funding is based on a single flat rate.”

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

1-.$2

GV professor highlighted for continued expertise on PFAS

BY NICK MORAN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

KCON RECEIVES RECOGNITION IN NURSING PUBLICATION

The Kirkhof College of Nursing partnership with Spectrum Health was recognized in early May for their innovation in health care as a part of National Nurses Week. The partnership appeared in “American Nurse Today,” an official journal of the American Nurses Association. The publication seeks to provide practical, peer-reviewed content to inform nurses in their practice.

Established in 2017, the partnership pairs nursing students with doctors in order to collaborate and experience hands-on learning.

Students involved in the program recently worked on innovative solutions to decrease elderly falls in hospitals, prevent opioid overdose and improve primary care.

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'(

OVATION: GVSU professor Rick Rediske (left) appeared in Science Magazine for his work on PFAS levels. COURTESY | WWW.SCIENCEMAG.ORG

As researchers, politicians and citizens work towards resolving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Michigan, many look towards Rick Rediske, a Grand Valley State University professor, for guidance. Recently, Rediske was featured in Science Magazine for providing his expertise to Concerned Citizens for Responsible Remediation (CCRR), a group of citizen scientists who revealed PFAS contamination by tannery company Wolverine Worldwide.

While PFAS contamination has been making waves in Michigan because of its harmful effects on human and environmental health, it has also become an empty buzzword to those unfamiliar with it. Rediske describes PFAS as

compounds that do not degrade, typically used in waterproofing, non-stick coatings, stain resistance and fire fighting foams. When in the body, they bind to proteins and lead to immune system suppression, cancer and more.

The Wolverine Worldwide situation unveiled and prompted action upon new discoveries in the region, but dealing with this type of contention is nothing new for Rediske. He was involved in a legal battle in the 90s where consultants representing Whitehall Leather attempted to discredit his studies. The same firm was representing Wolverine when he was approached by CCRR. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

Check out !"#$New %&'$Improved$Website ((()*%&+,!#&)-!.

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'(

&'"(#"(%

!!%| "#$% ,/#5:0",:+/#

)*+,-./012-.*33-0,214*5612751-8,-/29,0:*;-<*2/*0;-=>=>

EDUCATION

| A2

CAMPUS

| A5

PRESIDENT’S CUP

| A6-7

BY SARAH EDGECOMB NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

THEATER

| A3

SOFTBALL

| A3

GOLF

| A3

W. TENNIS

| A3

AWARD -WINNER

| A3

To meet university standards, Lake Huron Hall will undergo renovations beginning January 2020 and ending in August 2020. The building update was unanimously approved at the Board of Trustees meeting on April 26, where $9.1 million was approved for the project. This funding will be provided by the Campus Development Fund.

Since its construction in 1963, Lake Huron Hall has not been updated. The building, which houses the English and Classics departments, is set to receive updated classrooms, study spaces, restrooms, furnishings and departmental suites according to Facilities Planning staff member Brad Newman.

Newman, who serves on the project management team, also said that Lake Huron Hall is scheduled to receive new plumbing, electrical and lighting systems along with a new roof, elevator and fire alarms.

Prep work has begun this summer and will not affect the use of the building. For students taking English or classics classes, the fall 2019 semester will not be affected by the renovation, but classes scheduled in Lake Huron Hall for winter and spring 2020 will be temporarily relocated.

#)$*+ !"+++%)*+ " #

!"#$%&'# EDITORIAL STAFF

(;D1E0&)./012&& .1;%8$476/<

)./0123/4356/78&& #+,-%./01# #991:/;07&)./012&& 20+1##$%-$00

(;D1E0&%79/C472& 9+9+1#1%0"2+/ PROMOTIONS

#991:/;07&)./012&& 1.3%.,#$$4 $7<9&)./012& 51016%$78$,/.2

F21B10/149&G;4;C72 6/44+$%% =+,-$4.1# ADVERTISING STAFF

=>1209&)./012&& -$44$#%9/55

#.H720/9/4C&G;4;C72&& !$55$%2$,-$0

(;?72&(/87&)./012&& 3512$41%8/47$#

#.H720/9/4C&G;4;C72 01,6$4%.//0$

#@)&)./012&& .103%01,$::$

BUSINESS STAFF

AB;C7&)./012&& 2$#!1.+#%6"#:

IE9/4799&G;4;C72& 01,6$4%0":8$05 #990J&IE9/4799&G;4;C72& !1,2/2%:134/0

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

FACELIFT: Lake Huron Hall will be receiving its first updates since its construction in 1963. The renovations will include new classrooms, study spaces, restrooms and offices. GVL | SARAH EDGECOMB

801#7%01=+75

First ward city commission candidate proposes cannabis tax to support hurt communities “We want to target this pilot, universal basic income program to communities hardest hit by the War on Drugs,” Lutz said.

The candidate described the War on Drugs as detrimental because people associated with cannabis found themselves incarcerated over charges now considered legal. After all, Michigan approved Proposal 1 last November, con-

sequently legalizing the possession and consumption of recreational cannabis throughout the state.

Nonetheless, Lutz mentioned some evidence suggests the War on Drugs served to control populations, particularly communities of color and the poor. A 2011 Forbes article cited over 25.4 million Americans were arrested on drug charges since 1980. One-third of those arrests included African Americans. Costs behind the War on Drugs extended to families being torn apart, Lutz said.

Therefore, the candidate proposed a tax on recreational cannabis sales that she stated would provide between $1 million and $5 million annually to Grand Rapids.

Half of the tax revenue would be invested into local infrastructure, but the other half would go towards the Universal Basic Income Pilot for Grand Rapids.

In the process, individuals would receive $1,000 monthly to address their needs.

REPARATIONS: To help those hurt by the War on Drugs, First Ward City Commissioner candidate Allison Lutz proposed pot taxes to give residents a basic income. COURTESY | WWW.LUTZFORGR.COM

www.lanthorn.com

BY LUCAS SWARTZENDRUBER NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Allison Lutz doesn’t plan on just becoming the first female first ward city commissioner.

On May 15, she introduced a plan before the West Michigan Cannabis Guild to address inequity from the War on Drugs.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

LOG ON TO: FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

!!!| "#$%$"%

"#$%!&'(!)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'(

When fake fans speak out, fandoms shudder

BY ATHENA JASMAN JUNIOR FILM & VIDEO EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

No one should wear merch if they aren’t really fans of what it represents, right? This may seem a little petty, but I think people who do this just undermine the true fans out there.

For example, has anyone else noticed how many kids get away with wearing dinosaur t-shirts? There’s no way Timmy is old enough to have seen the dinosaurs live — he isn’t even old enough to watch Jurassic Park.

Don’t even talk about dinosaurs

unless you own their vinyls. Even if Timmy invented time travel, flaunting dinosaur accessories is the evolutionary equivalent of wearing confederacy-chic. They lost, get over it.

Honestly, it’s like these kids don’t even know that they have evolved from the resilient tiny scavenger that lived in fear of that creature they’re proudly promoting.

Personally, I would get a shirt with a big meteor on the front. Why? Because I have pride in my evolutionary ancestors who actually survived mass extinction.

Mammals just do it better, sorry not sorry.

I felt the same way when I first noticed a specific quirky trend becoming popular among girls — well, people of all genders — trying to be idiosyncratic by displaying the NASA logo slapped on shirts and pins.

Cute embroidered jean jacket, McKenna, but do you even know what NASA means? Other than in a case like yours, where it stands for “Notifying All: Super Annoying” to warn all who walk behind someone with a NASA pin on their Fjallraven Kånken bag.

Of course, dear reader, the actual answer to that query stumping

the McKennas of this world is it stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. But did you know that?

Before you or someone you love is put at risk of becoming a major NASA-hype poser like McKenna, ask yourself a few other questions, too.

Can you name a single one of their expeditions? Do you actually think Apollo 15 was their biggest hit (like every other NASAhead wannabe with a radio)? Can you even list all 20 tracks in their Project Apollo album?

If your answers were yes, no, yes... Then you’re a liar, because track 18, 19 and 20 were never released due to NASA breaking up over creative differences, and that just proves you’re the topic of this article.

Of course, NASA’s comeback album, Challenger, wasn’t well received, and they never came back from that (according to the mainstream charts), but I honestly thought that it was straight fire.

Anyway, you can wear what you want, of course, but I hope this sheds some light on the toxicity of fake fans and that as a society, we cancel these fake Mesozoic Maniacs and NASA Nuts.

Lower Grand River dredging proposal is a bad idea

BY ERIC SNYDER BIOLOGY PROFESSOR EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

In re-reading a speech given by Luna Leopold, professor at University of California, Berkeley, entitled “Ethos, Equity and the Water Resource,” he makes the point that without a guiding principle, or ethos, for wise management, protection and preservation, the “unwritten assumption of fairness, equity, and the common good [will give] way to domination by a narrow class and special interests.” Leopold was referencing the failed expansion of Athens into Syracuse in the year 431 B.C. I think there are lessons to be learned here in our own backyard. A specific example is a recent proposal, called the Grand River Waterway Project, to dredge

GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

a 50-foot-wide, 7-foot-deep, 22.5-milelong corridor down the middle of the Lower Grand River that would extend from Bass River State Recreation Area near Eastmanville, past our Allendale campus where the GVSU rowing team practices, to the Fulton Street Bridge in Grand Rapids. There are some proposed economic benefits to this activity, including the potential for larger power boats to motor up and down the river. But, like Leopold cautions, this activity would benefit relatively few, while the negative consequences would be felt by many.

As a scientist trained in stream and river ecology, I can unequivocally state that dredging such a large portion of a river is going to have significant negative impacts on fish and wildlife, and the ecosystem services that intact, healthy rivers provide.

BC&DE50.11.&)5127

These services include nutrient processing, water filtration and cleaning, and the maintenance of a diverse food web, from microbes and aquatic insect on up to freshwater mussels, fish and waterfowl. In addition, the portion of the river proposed for dredging is already open to smaller watercraft, including significant use by canoers, kayakers and others.

Rivers are dynamic, disturbance-driven ecosystems that routinely flood, shift course and patently don’t stay where we would like them to stay. This disturbance process is not only natural, but maintains biological diversity and ecosystem services. Any attempt to dredge a channel in river system becomes an epic, Sisyphean attempt that never ends.

Couple this with concerns about increased shoreline erosion including archeologically important sites such as Blendon Landing here on the GVSU campus, decreased water quality in the Lower Grand River and Lake Michigan, where our drinking water originates, and the documented presence in the river corridor of approximately 50 species listed by the state and/ or federal governments as being imperiled or species of concern because of their low abundance or limited distribution, all add growing weight to the argument that this is an environmentally destructive proposal with few benefits. There is ample science to back up these concerns and I’d encourage you to view the summary of this science published by the Michigan Sea Grant.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com

<=>?=@?>A

./01230456547182379:2;

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

EDITORIAL

The experiment of a universal basic income

F

First Ward City Commission candidate Allison Lutz is advocating for Grand Rapids to use the money gathered from marijuana tax revenue to support local communities most affected by the War on Drugs. She proposes half of the money be used for infrastructure, and the other half be used to implement a universal basic income for a small population of residents.

If this plan were to be implemented, it would act as a form of justice for the low-income areas that suffered from heavy drug policing. It would be a practical way to help uplift some of the poorer areas of Grand Rapids.

Lutz’s plan would only grant the universal income to between 40 and 200 residents, so it likely would not have much of an effect on the community at large.

However, it would still be interesting to see the impact on the affected residents.

There are advocates that say implementing a universal income on a wide scale could greatly benefit society. Such a system would help more people receive an education and have the tools to rise out of poverty.

It could help families afford childcare, or even allow

parents to stay home with their children while they are young. It could give the workforce more bargaining power against their employer as they would be less reliant on their job. Some argue that it may become almost necessary as more jobs are lost to automation.

Some are, of course, less optimistic about the prospect of a universal income.

Critics fear that it could just lead to widespread laziness since it would not be necessary to work to survive.

People also wonder if it would even be fiscally feasible, and worry the resulting tax increases and budget cuts that would be necessary for its implementation would do more harm than the system would do good.

While it seems that the United States is far from implementing some form of universal income on a large scale, this experiment, if implemented, could prove important in the nationwide debate.

For now, we will just need to wait and see if Allison Lutz is elected and if she is able to put this universal basic income experiment into effect. Maybe her example is what we need — for better or for worse.

GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs.

The content, information and views expressed are not approved by—nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500-650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'(

!!%| "#$%

+,-."/

&'("%)*(+,-./0(1234(51,44605754( 8-952,:;(<=7940(>!51(.75-2.7==:

BY NICK MORAN EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University’s National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team triumphed over its district to claim the top spot in the region, moving forward to claim 15th state at nationals and solidifying an unprecedented win streak for the team.

GVSU NSAC has taken first place three times and third place twice in the past five years.

NSAC competitions anonymously pin schools against each other in preparing advertising campaigns, plan books and presentations and their success is judged by industry professionals.

GVSU NSAC adviser Robin Spring said that the team’s performance showcased their grit and prowess throughout the school year, resulting in their string of successes.

“I’m most proud of how this team bonded and pulled each other through a rigorous, exhausting and exhilarating competition,” Spring said. “Not only is the NSAC competition a time to pull all the skills and knowledge they’ve learned throughout their collegiate career, but it’s a particularly special way to develop strong collaborative skills and flex their creativity.”

Spring said that American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 6 is considered a “mega-district” due to the large number of midwestern schools

with advertising programs. During district regionals, all teams gather a year’sworth of work and present their efforts.

“There are a lot a sweaty palms and white knuckles,” Spring said. “Of course, everyone is professional, but we are all filled with angst all day throughout the competition and until the winners are announced at the awards ceremony that evening. I can’t think of a more anxiety producing situation because we’ve got one shot to present the campaign we’ve worked on so hard for two semesters.”

Surviving District 6 is a feat in and of itself, Spring said. Faced against judges with high, subjective standards and NSAC teams from schools like Michigan State, Ball State and Columbia College, the competition can be intense.

“It’s always intimidating competing at District 6 because the competition is so good,” Spring said. “I mean, this is a serious competition. Everyone is in it to win.

I respect the other teams who have performed consistently well because I know how hard it is to earn first place.”

Moving toward nations and facing the top 19 teams from their districts, Spring said that the competition takes another step up.

Students have 15 minutes to participate in a question and answer conference call with new professionals regarding their work.

Presenting on a year’s worth of work in

15 minutes is always difficult, but Spring said that if the team improves their semi-final performance, they’ll build upon their already impressive resumes.

“Our team poured their heart and soul into this competition and they killed it,” Spring said. “They impressed everyone. They performed their best and that’s all I could ever ask for. It’s a tough competition.”

With the wind at their backs, the GVSU

NSAC team looks toward the 2019-20 season with their sights on trumping the competition in their district once more and climbing the ranks at nationals. With their hard work, they’ll always have at least one die-hard supporter.

“I am so proud of each and everyone of the students that made up the NSAC’19 team,” Spring said. “They all know that I am their biggest fan.”

CHAMPIONS: GVSU’s NSAC team poses at a competition, where they placed first. The group takes two full semesters to prepare for the regional and national competitions. COURTESY | ROBIN SPRING

01+,0

Douglas holds first LGBTQ pride event

BY KYLIE ELWELL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

CELEBRATION: For its first pride event, Douglas organized a gathering with 40 vendors, along with performances, LGBTQ speakers and events for children. COURTESY | WWW.DOUGLASMICHIGAN.COM

On Saturday, June 1, the city of Douglas, Michigan held an event for the LGTBQ community in celebration of Pride Month.

Besides Grand Rapids, Douglas and Ludington are some of the only towns in west Michigan to have pride events.

Before the 1970s, it was socially unacceptable to live openly as a member of the LGBTQ community, with both people and police alike displaying distaste toward the community. This event was arranged to honor the iconic Stonewall uprising and its impact on equality in the U.S. “Everyone is invited to this community event,” said Dale Lower, the organizer of this event. “All are welcome to come and learn more about Stonewall and celebrate the fight for equality with us.”

The Douglas Pride Committee, composed of six community activists, spent three months planning the event, ranging

from deciding the main events to what information they would be presenting to guests.“Each of us had a unique talent and we melded beautifully,” said committee member Liz Engel. “(We are) a respectful group with only good intentions in mind.”

While Douglas is known for their LGBTQ history and support, this is the first pride event held by the city. Over 750 people attended, with about 40 vendors participating. Singers, speakers, activities for children, a car show and more made this first event memorable and special.

“We were excited for our first Pride event,” Engel said. “(We are) excited that all are welcome and that we had a giving community that welcomed the event.”

In June 1969, a police raid on Stonewall Inn in New York City led to violent demonstrations against police by the LGBTQ community. The riots soon led to protests and a fight for equality. In commemoration of the Stonewall riots, June has been named LGBTQ Pride Month.

JUNE 10, 2019 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

“We play to w VICTORY

GVSU captures 26th Presid

BY KELLEN VOSS SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

For the 21st consecutive year, Grand Valley State has captured the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) President’s Cup trophy, the all-sports award handed out to at the end of the year to the conference member that shows general success in all sports. This award for the 2018-19 season marks the 26th time winning the award for the Lakers.

In addition to winning every Presidents’ Trophy from 1998-99 to 2018-19, GVSU also hoisted the all-sports trophy in 1978-79, 197778, 1974-75, 1973-74 and 1972-73.

While the trophy case for these awards has become rather full at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena, the entire GVSU athletic program is still proud of their continued success.

We never look past the President’s Cup, we never take it for granted. I never get sick of celebrating any of the victories that we have, and certainly the President’s Cup is a culmination of all of those things.”

Keri Becker GVSU Athletic Director “We never look past the President’s Cup, we never take it for granted,” said GVSU athletic director Keri Becker. “I never get sick of celebrating any of the victories that we have, and certainly the President’s Cup is a culmination of all those things. It signifies success on the court; we play to win the game. We have the right people in the right places, doing the right thing” Grand Valley State finished with 166.0 points, several points ahead of second place Ashland (132.0), third place Saginaw Valley State (108.5) and fourth place Wayne State (100.0).

The Lakers claimed 14 GLIAC titles during the 2018-19 campaign, with the women scoring 100.0 points and the men 66.0. The standings are based on final regular season standings except for the following sports, which are based on conference tournament finish: cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track & field, and swimming and diving.

RACKING UP WINS: For the 26th time total and 21st time in a row, Grand Valley State University claims the President’s Cup. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

A6&7 | SPORTS

win the game”

dent’s Cup in school history

12 GLAC TITLES 166 GLIAC POINTS 26 PRESIDENT’S CUPS 21 CONSECUTIVE WINS 5 ALL-­SPORT TROPHIES 12 COMPETING SCHOOLS

GVSU won women’s GLIAC Championships in cross country, soccer, tennis, indoor track & field, swimming & diving, golf, basketball and outdoor track & field, while the men were able to capture GLIAC titles in cross country, swimming & diving, indoor and outdoor track & field and basketball, with the latter being one of the titles that Becker is most proud of the school for earning.

None of our accomplishments are done alone, so we have to engage our campus community.”

Keri Becker GVSU Athletic Director “Men’s basketball comes to mind, it was a long time coming for them,” Becker said. “What they had to do to overcome and get there was special, in terms of that team coming together at the right time” In order to keep the dynasty that is GVSU athletics thriving, Becker and GVSU make sure to provide athletes with the best chance to succeed.

They attempt to make their impact felt in three ways: emphasizing academic success, creating a championship mindset and creating a positive culture with the college community “We want to achieve student athlete success,” Becker said. “We do that athletically, academically and socially. The second way is creating championship excellence in all that we do, being collaborative and innovative, personally and professionally growing, using best practices, keeping that tradition and doing everything with integrity.”

“None of our accomplishments are done alone, so we have to engage our campus community, secure resources, take ownership — which in turn helps us create our own revenue — develop our fans, manage our brand and certainly building relationships is the key to maintaining that success,” she said. “We’ll figure out the ‘what’ along the way in each area in terms of defining success and what those small victories are, the Grand Valley athletic impact plan gives us the ‘how,’ to achieve our overall purpose of creating the best student athlete experience possible and developing champions for life.”

GVSU competes for a chance to win national championships in softball and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field this week.

!!%| "#$%&'&()$(#$"*)+()$ +,$-+$.

,-./0&#.1203&42526&$78.9-8&1-838/93&:)8;3283<

BY ALLISON RAFFERTY ARAFFERTY@LANTHORN.COM

PERFORMING ARTS: At the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, performers share their rendition of the musical “Newsies” with the West Michigan community. COURTESY | GRAND RAPIDS CIVIC THEATRE

/01$%2"304

East Grand Rapids Concerts in the Park

BY MARY RACETTE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

East Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation and Consumers Credit Union are collaborating this summer to liven up Monday nights in the city with their summer concert series.

For six Monday nights during June and July, local bands will perform in John Collins Park from 7-8:30 p.m. Along with the free night of family-friendly entertainment, the sponsoring bank will provide special treats at several of the concerts, including root beer floats on one of the nights.

Leisure supervisor Pam Slater said the night offers a relaxing environment for people to spend time together and enjoy the outdoors.

“The bands aren’t overwhelming, so you can still hold a conversation unless you’re sitting right in the front,” Slater said.

Slater said she encourages people to bring blankets and chairs so everyone can comfortably enjoy the night. As the band plays, Slater said she often sees people play cards, throw around a football and spend time with friends

RELAX AT ROSA CONCERT SERIES FILLS GRAND RAPIDS WITH SOUND

REEDS LAKE ART FESTIVAL RALLYS COMMUNITY IN EAST GRAND RAPIDS

LOG ON TO: FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

ARTS AT A GLANCE

Grand Rapids’ summer concert series returns for its fifth season of lunchtime entertainment at Rosa Parks Circle. Relax at Rosa will run until September 19. The lineup includes a variety of artists and genres.

Every Thursday from 12-1:30 p.m. the park will be occupied by food trucks and live music for the public to enjoy. While listening to the live music, people are invited to play with the oversized outdoor games.

From May 31 through June 23, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is presenting the musical “Newsies” to West Michigan audiences.

Based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name, this lively performance follows newsboy Jack during the 1899 newsboys’ strike.

Described by the show’s director, Allyson Paris, as “relevant” and by lead actor Casey Huls as “empowering,” “Newsies” tells the story of young members of society standing up to the injustices instilled by those in power.

Though set in the 20th century, Paris said that many of the actors expressed that the themes and sentiments of the show remain true to today’s youth. www.lanthorn.com

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'(

GATHER: Family and Friends relax together at John Collins Park. COURTESY | LOCALSPINS.COM

and family.

While organizers encourage bringing outside food and activities to the event, alcohol,

grilling and open fires are prohibited in John Collins Park.

In addition to family and friend groups, Slater said these events are common for neighborhoods, retirement communities and other facilities to meet up and join the fun.

“We see little kids up on stage dancing, but we also often see big kids up there dancing too,” Slater said.

Slater said they wanted to get a variety of genres of music. This year, Concerts in the Park will feature jazz, big band, folk and more. She said the age groups in attendance varies depending on the evening and the style of music.

Kicking off the concert series on June 10 will be West Michigan’s JMM Jazz, covering hits from the Rat Pack era and other jazz standards. Typically ranging from a full ten-piece band to a trio, JMM Jazz can be found playing every Thursday Night at Noto’s Old World Italian in Grand Rapids, as well as other local venues.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

West Michigan’s oldest art organization, Grand Valley Artists, is sponsoring the 54th Reeds Lake Art Festival. Beginning at Lakeside Drive and ending at Croswell Street in East Grand Rapids, there will be art in over eighty booths from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 15.

Browsers and shoppers will find art from a variety of mediums including paintings, ceramics, photography, literature and more.

Food venders will be included along with the art booths.

GRAND RIVER WATER FESTIVAL ILLUSTRATES HIDDEN WATERWAYS

The Grand River Water Festival intends to entertain and educate the Grand Rapids community on environmental issues. On June 22 at Riverside Park, the ninth annual event will include a day of live music with speakers in between each performance.

In collaboration with GVSU faculty member Sarah King and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, the Community Watershed Artists Program is hiring muralists to paint the sidewalks to reveal the “Hidden Waterways” of the city to spark conversations about stormwater pollution.

OPERA GRAND RAPIDS’ “LA TRAVIATA” OPENS JUNE 14

Opera Grand Rapids presents “La Traviata” at the St. Cecelia Music Center on June 14, 15 and 16. Metropolitan Opera star soprano Sarah Joy Miller and Tenor Zach Borichevsky will be starring in the production.

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” is the story which inspired films “Camille,” “Pretty Woman” and “Moulin Rouge.” Set in the 1920s, the tragedy is based on the true story of Parisian courtesan Marie Duplessis.

,-./0&#.1203&7=393&978&>?97&.//@.A&B83925.A&=C&978&"-93

BY ARIE NIENHUIS ANIENHUIS@LANTHORN.COM

With events such as ArtPrize and venues like the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Valley State University’s closest major city has situated itself as one of the premier artistic communities in the Midwest. When it comes to celebrating this heritage, the annual Festival of the Arts covers all of the bases. This city-wide celebration of art and local culture has be-

come one of Grand Rapids’ strongest traditions, and their 50th iteration was one of the largest the city has seen.

Local business owner, art-lover and new Festival of the Arts Director David Abbott headed this year’s festival, which provided activities for all ages, including live music, art, food and family activities spread across the city.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

CELEBRATE: Community memebers browse the venders of Grand Rapids as the city celebrates local artists and entertainers during the 50th annual Festival of the Arts. COURTESY | CHRISTINE FISHER

!<,| #=>?@# QUICK HITS

()*+,-./,0.-1 !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'()%

!"#$%&''

ALLISON LIPOVSKY SELECTED IN FIRST ROUND OF ASBA SOFTBALL DRAFT

Former Grand Valley State softball player Allison Lipovsky was drafted third in the American Softball Association (ASBA) 2019 draft Wednesday, June 6, by the Performance Lab team.

The ASBA, based in Mobile, Alabama, is one step below the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF), the top professional softball league in the country.

The right-handed pitcher posted a 33-4 overall record – a new program record – with a 0.94 ERA and a nation-leading 18 shutouts. She also led the entire country with 362 strikeouts while giving up just 51 walks in her 252.0 innings in the circle.

GRAND VALLEY STATE INCREASES LEAD IN DIRECTOR’S CUP STANDINGS

Grand Valley State increased its already respectable lead in the 2018-19 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Learfield IMG Directors’ Cup. Current standings were announced

by NACDA Thursday, May 30.

The Lakers have scored 1,179.5 points in 17 sports, 393 ahead of second-place University of Indianapolis (786.50) and third-place Queens University of Charlotte(776.75). Ashland (14th) has the next highest total among GLIAC members with 505.50 points. The final NCAA Division II standings will be released June 12.

Grand Valley State turned in a successful spring season, scoring 464.5 points in seven sports, highlighted by four top 10 finishes. Softball (83.0) and women’s outdoor track & field (85.0) each finished third, while men’s outdoor track & field finished fourth (80) and women’s tennis ninth (64.0). Closing out the spring season, men’s golf finished 11th (66.0), women’s golf 14th (61.5) and men’s tennis 33rd (25.0). GVSU scored 400 points in the winter and 315 in the fall for the 1,179.5 total.

CARLY SHISLER SELECTED TO PLAY IWLCA ALL-STAR GAME

Recent Grand Valley State graduate Carly Shisler has been selected to participate in the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) 2019 Senior All-Star Game.

All three divisions of NCAA women’s lacrosse played their respective games on Tierney Field at the U.S. Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, Maryland on Saturday, June 1. Shisler’s South Team took the Division II contest 14-13, with the game tied into the last 21 seconds.

Shisler’s successful senior year earned her first team All-GLIAC and IWLCA AllRegion honors, as well as GLIAC Midfielder of the Year. She scored 66 goals and dished another 22 assists for 88 points on the season and twice-earned GLIAC Player of the Week honors — one defensive and one offensive. Her 93 draw controls set the GVSU all-time, single-season record while also causing 24 turnovers and scooping 43 ground balls.

RECORDS: Launching herself forward to deliver a pitch, Grand Valley State softball pitcher Allison Lipovsky tries to shut out the competition. The Lakers ended their season ranked No. 5 and racking up a 51-10 overall record before falling in the college world series semifinals. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

!"#$%&'()*+,,%(+,,&%-.%&/0-(-.+,&%'(%1',,/2/% 3'4,5%&/4-/&6%)'7%89%3-.&%-.%:9;<%&/+&'.

BY KELLEN VOSS SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The No. 5 ranked Grand Valley State softball team’s successful season came to an end Saturday, May 25, when they lost in the semifinals of the College World Series to No.4 ranked Texas A&M Kingsville, 3-2.

After losing to Texas A&M Kingsville in the opening round of the tournament, they fought their way through the loser’s bracket, beating No. 1 ranked LIU Post, 2-0, and beating No. 2 ranked West Florida on a walkoff, 3-2, before the second loss to the Javelinas ultimately ended their season after a fun experience at the College World Series “It’s always a tremendous experience for the players and coaches,” said head coach Dana Callahan. ”Just being able to take away the fact that we competed at that level, the NCAA treats us pretty well as far as the atmosphere, so it’s definitely a worthwhile experience, despite the outcome.”

Freshman infielder Lydia Goble came up clutch in both of those wins, hitting what ended up being the game-winning two-run dinger in the LIU Post before driving home the game and winning in the eighth inning the following day

against West Florida with a deep sacrifice fly that allowed senior Shannon Flaherty to come home and secure victory for the Lakers.

“Lydia (Goble) has been consistent all year long, just doing what she needed to do to generate the runs,” Callahan said. “She just went up there with the mindset that she was going to put the bat on the ball and hit the ball hard and they just kept going. Both the home runs she hit were line drives. She did what she intended to do and what she’s been doing all year.”

As is always the case at the end of a season ending in a loss, it was quite bittersweet for the GVSU softball team, as even though they had a lot to be proud of, having to say goodbye to some talented seniors is a hard pill to swallow, as seniors Kaylie Rhynard, Rachel Terwillinger, Flaherty and Allison Lipovsky hung up their cleats after a successful softball tenure.

“Obviously, we had the goal of bringing the big trophy home and you don’t go there with the mindset that you’re going to bounce out early,” Callahan said. “It was a little tough knowing we came short of our goal, but at the same time, they left it all out on the field. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. The seniors were struggling a little bit knowing that it was there last goaround, but the experience they had this

year, this was something special and it’s something they’ll never forget.”

This softball team has a lot to be proud of, after earning the regular season title in the GLIAC, winning the GLIAC tournament, winning the Midwest Super Regional, topping the 50-win mark and making a deep run that ended at the College World Series. But with all the team accomplishments, multiple all-american nods and a few all-academic student athletes, the thing coach Callan is most proud is how teamfirst this softball team truly was.

“This was one of the most selfless teams that we’ve ever been apart of, and I’ve been around softball for (more than) 30 years,” Callahan said.

“The team was first in every category — that contributed to a lot of the enjoyment and the culture. Hopefully that’s a foundation that’s going to carry on over the next few years, because these players all know what that feels like. It’s something extremely special and you don’t get it with every team, and I think that contributed to the grit. I don’t know if we were anymore more talented than any of the other teams, but we had a culture that was superior.”

The reigning GLIAC champion GVSU softball team ends their season with a 5110 overall record.

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'()%

!!"%| #$%&'# +,%-./0

()#*+,-./0+1234+056,73-0+28-9+4:.;3+<;=+24+>3;=?+ 4;:30+52+,;@-+,;5AB>3;=+765+-CA--<0+-C>-A5;5:2.0

BY ELI ONG SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

At the beginning of the 2018-19 men’s golf season, it was Alex Scott and a handful of promising young golfers that made up the men’s golf team for Grand Valley State University.

Most major polls had this team ranked outside of the top 25 nationally, most notably 29thgoing into the Division II National Tournament. But after round play concluded at The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, West Virginia on Thursday, May 23, GVSU finished the year ranked 11thnationally.

“It was the best season we’ve had in the history of men’s golf here at Grand Valley State,” said GVSU men’s golf head coach Gary Bissell. “I’m definitely proud of what this team has achieved this year.”

In addition to earning their highest finish in GVSU history, tied with the 2000 men’s golf squad who also finished 11th, Alex Scott capped his collegiate golf career as the most prolific golfer in GVSU history, while also helping guide the men’s golf team to their first national tournament appearance since 2008.

“Overall, I think we did a good job of exceeding the expectations that were placed on us team-wide at the beginning of the year,” Scott said.

While Scott felt good about his team’s finish and his individual performance, he did not share the same level of satisfaction as his coach in reflection.

“We played well all year, but I don’t think we played our best brand of golf — me included — out there on the course over the span of those three days,” Scott said. “Collectively as a team, I don’t think anyone in particular was golfing out of his shoes, but at the same time, we still put ourselves in a good position to advance to match play.”

Scott said that was what he found most exciting about playing in the DII national tournament. Despite feeling that they did not play their best opening rounds, GVSU entered the final day of stroke play in fifth place before carding a third-round score of 301 (+13) to move them outside of the top 8 teams who moved on to match play.

ON THE UPSWING: Following through on his swing, senior golfer Alex Scott looks toward the green. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

“It was a weird tournament for me because I’m usually pretty consistent with my scoring,” Scott said. “But at nationals, it was a different story. I had a really great round sandwiched in between two pretty below average rounds for me.”

“When I carded a 65 in the second-round, I was feeling pretty good because that score gave my team a good cushion for the rest of play that day,” Scott said. “Then we saw our place after play ended and we tried to keep the hype and excitement down because we wanted to come out and play another solid round of golf the next day, but sadly that didn’t happen.”

Scott finished the tournament with a 54-hole score of 213 (-3), which was good for sixth place among all individual competitors. He finished seventh at nationals last year as a junior at

GVSU. Scott’s second-round 65 (-7) was also the lowest single round score among all individual competitors through the first three rounds of stroke play.

Senior Mitchell White capped off his play at nationals with a third round 74 (+2) to finish with a 54-hole score of 217 (+1) and 21stplace. Senior Bryce Messner and Sophomore Eric Nunn each carded third round scores of 77 (+5) and 76 (+4) respectively to bring their 54-hole scores to 223 (+7) for Messner and 228 (+12) for Nunn. Messner placed 57thwhile Nunn finished 78th.

“I think our three seniors (Scott, White and Messner) did an excellent job of setting an example for the younger guys to follow, and that’s why we had the level of success we did in West Virginia,” Bissell said.

With the 2019 season coming to a close, GVSU will lose an All-American and National Men’s Golfer of the Year Candidate in Scott, who plans to take his talents north to try out his hand in professional golf by participating in the Palmer Cup and a few Mackenzie Tour events.

“It’s a tough loss when you’re looking at losing the best golfer in the history of your university,” Bissell said. “But we have a really great recruiting class coming in with a strong mixture of returning golfers so I’m excited to see what we can cook up next year.”

GVSU is bringing in four new recruits for next season. Of those four recruits, Charlie DeLong and Nick Krueger were ranked in the top 100 of their class nationally and Drew Coble has a pedigree for golf, as his father is a former pro on the PGA Tour. The fourth recruit, Alex Jordan, grades out as a raw talent, but a tremendous athlete who played basketball, soccer and golf in high school.

“We’re really excited about the future of Grand Valley golf with these kids,” Bissel said. “They’ll be rookies, but they’ll be in position to contribute too, so I look forward to hopefully seeing some flashes of brilliance in combination with times of growth and maturation. Then, hopefully we can put it all together and get back to nationals again next year.”

1,%-./0

GVSU women’s golf falls short of championship goal, remembers special season

BY SEAN CAUVET SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

While most college students were out of school and enjoying the start of summer vacation, the Grand Valley State University women’s golf team was hyper-focused on reaching

its goal: The Division II Women’s Golf National Championship.

However, the team fell short of advancing to the new medal match play format of the top eight teams, as it finished in 14th place overall.

The Lakers finished in first place in the GLIAC Conference Championships back in April

GOING FOR THE GREEN: With sights set on the fairway, GVSU junior golfer prepares to swing, driver in hand. The GVSU women’s golf team placed 14th overall this season. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

and top-three in the East Regionals, but fell short of their goal during the NCAA Tournament.

The NCAA Tournament was played over a three-day period, from May 14-16. The top eight teams by the end of the third day moved on to the final round of play, a new format called “medal-match play”.

In the format, five golfers from each team go head-to-head and a point is rewarded for each golfer that scores lower than their opponent. The team with the most points out of five wins the round and advances.

“You know, we played pretty well the first day, but the second round, in my opinion, is the one that really hurt us and put us behind the eight ball,” said GVSU women’s golf head coach Rebecca Mailloux. “It caused us to really have to fight for a good number on the final round of stroke play, which considering the conditions with it being super windy that final day and some really challenging hole locations thrown at us, it just wasn’t our day to fight back and fight our way into the top eight positions.”

With that, the 2018-19 GVSU women’s golf season had come to an end. Reflecting on the season, junior golfer Katie Chipman

described the 2019 NCAA Tournament as a memorable one.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

SUMMER with the LANTHORN Spend your

!"#$"%&'(&#'"()*+",-*.&'"/&$"&0%122('"/2

!"#$%&'(%)'&* !"#$%&'#(()*&(#$+,-"$ !"#$%&'()%

!!!%| "#$%&"

+,-./%-#0%12$30

'(")*+,-./*-01*23451*+4-67*+89*822*:47+*74-780*30* 9,8;,-6*<37+8,=*-+*$>+188,*?-+380-5*@<-693807<39

BY JERROD FATTAL SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

The Grand Valley State University men’s and women’s track and field teams made history to finish their successful seasons, with both teams finishing in the top four at NCAA DII Outdoor National Championship in Kingsville, TX on Saturday, May 25.

“This is probably one of our best seasons for the men and women combined as a program,” said head coach Jerry Baltes. “The past six seasons, both our teams have finished in the top four, and this year we were the only school with both teams in the top four.”

The men’s team finished fourth with 35 points and had four athletes earn five All-American honors. Zach Panning led the way, winning two national championships in the 5,000-meter (14:10.58 seconds ) and 10,000-meter run (30:12.30 seconds). “(Panning) dominated both races,” Baltes said. “I sort of wanted him to lay back on the 5K and save some energy for Saturday, but he had other intentions. He was running 25 laps by himself.”

Following the 10,000-meter run, Panning’s time repping Laker nation ended, but he went out with a bang by winning the CoHigh Point Athlete of the Meet award with 20 points and the USTFCCCA Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year award.

“For all that Zach has done for our program the past four years, we were happy to see him go out a champion and win those awards,” Baltes said. “Both of those awards are very special and we have never had a male win the athlete of the year award and the high point (award).”

Tanner Chada also had a strong day for the Lakers, reaching the podium with a time of 14:27.04 seconds in the 5,000-meter run. “(Chada’s performance) wasn’t expected, but it didn’t surprise us,” Baltes said. “He ran a really smart and efficient race that put him in great position.”

The women’s team finished third with 47.5 points and had 13 athletes earn 18 All-American honors over the weekend. Rachel Walters had another great day at nationals, collecting the fifth top-3 finish of her career, finishing runner-up in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:08.18 seconds. “(Walters) is money,” Baltes said. “She had been under the weather the past couple of weeks, and she showed incredible effort and displayed a great way to close to her career.”

Lucy Buckholz also contributed to the Lakers’ bronze medal finish, tying her career best and finishing third in the pole vault with a vault of 3.98 meters.

“Every bar she cleared, we thought that would be a great way to close out her career,” Baltes said. “But she just kept going despite the windy conditions,”

RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCE: Posing with Laker pride, the GVSU women’s track and field team show off their success at the Outdoor National Championship. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

The Lakers sent 35 male and female athletes to the outdoor nationals and returned with 23 All-American awards, despite the weather and added pressure.

“We handled the pressure really well and endured the 90-degree temperatures, high humidity and high winds all meet,” Baltes said. “We haven’t seen that (weather) since last summer and we needed to buckle down and be ready to compete

when the time came.”

Although the Lakers didn’t achieve their ultimate goal of an Outdoor National Championship title, they still had an extremely successful season and added to the legacy of their program.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

45%+$##26

GVSU loses against Lynn in NCAA Division ll Women’s Tennis Championship Sweet Sixteen

BY ROSEMARY BOOHER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

PEP TALK: Rallying as a group, GVSU’s women’s tennis team puts their hands together after a talk.

The team lost in the Sweet Sixteen of the DII tennis championship. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

The Grand Valley State Lakers faced off against the Lynn Fighting Knights Wednesday, May 22nd, in Altamonte Springs, Florida. There the Lakers played in their last match of the season, getting knocked out of the NCAA tournament by the Fighting Knights with a score of 4-0.

GVSU was looking forward to their match up against Lynn — they prepared not only for the upcoming opponents, but also for the change of weather.

“After the regional tournament, we only had three practices before departing for Florida, so I focused on keeping the team sharp and working on what they individually felt needed the most work,” said head coach John Black. “Once we arrived in Florida, we had two days of practice to get acclimated to the heat.”

Once the day to compete had arrived, GVSU’s doubles fought hard until the end.

Lynn had gained an early lead by scoring the first points with the No. 1 and No. 3 parings both winning. The No. 1 Laker pairing of Marija Leko and Madison Ballard lost 6-0, the No.3 paring of Nicole Heiniger and Livia Christman were beaten 6-1 and the last doubles pair, No. 2, consisting of Vera Griva and Marily Canellopoulos was also defeated by Lynn.

The singles matches did not have much luck either, as the Fighting Knights were able to score three more points in a row to end the match. With the scores of 6-1 and 6-0, Ballard from the No. 2 spot was defeated. From the No. 3 spot, Leko was also beaten 6-1 and 6-1. Lastly, Canellopoulos from the No. 4 position dropped a 6-0 and 6-1 decision.

The defeat was not an entire loss however, as Black said there is much to be taken away from playing such a strong team.

LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

45'(+678+976: ;<=>?#@=AABC#A=>DEF<> !"#$%&'()%

!;<+| =/>6?= !"!#$%"&''(#

!"#$%&'()*+,-.&/012+)(&34&1+)&5)-(& 678-.&/))1*&()48)21&3.&9-1+&13&!:

BY ELI ONG SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University freshman left-handed pitcher Rylan Peets got some shocking news from his father the summer before his junior year of high school, which turned out to be a pivotal time in the life of a young Peets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going into my junior year of high school, we found out I had a brain tumor,â&#x20AC;? said Peets in a recent interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It turned out to be non-cancerous, benign, but at the time I became really reflective and talked to my dad, and he said that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not always going to have the opportunity to be a baseball player, and that I should really go for baseball. I took it to heart and from then on out during my junior and senior year, I knew deep down I really wanted to give baseball my all.â&#x20AC;?

Before then, Peets grew up just like any other kid with a family pedigree for athletics.

Baseball ran in his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloodline as his father played at Ferris State and his brother, Kyle, currently pitches at Calvin College.

Despite all that, Peets wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always all-in on baseball. In fact, Peetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first pas-

KING OF THE MOUND: Eying his target, freshman left-handed pitcher Rylan Peets aims and fires a pitch. Peets was named the 2019 GLIAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

sion was actually bass fishing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a huge bass fisherman growing up â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I wanted to go to college for originally,â&#x20AC;? Peets said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until my junior year, that was my ultimate goal.â&#x20AC;?

But after fate landed Peets on the operat-

ing table to remove a brain tumor, his aspirations changed, and things started to fall into place for Peets on the diamond as he started to develop his velocity and pitching repertoire on the mound. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget pre-districts my junior

) !* ( # + ( ,-.!' / (

www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

FREE CLASSIFIEDS FOR STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF some restrictions apply email lakerexchange@lanthorn.com for more info on restrictions FOR COMMERCIAL RATES EMAIL

lakerexchange@lanthorn.com OR CALL

!"#$%&'

(&&"#&)*+*&,$

-#",*

2 Bedrooms, 1 Bath 2nd floor furnished apartment in the heart of downtown Grand Haven (west of 31).

Walking distance to waterfront, restaurants and shops.

Monthly rent of $900 per month includes all utilities, cable and internet. Central Air, onsite washer/dryer, balcony. No smoking or pets.

Available last week of August 2019 through first week of May 2020. Email Donna Schmidt at dschmidt@assistanceoptions.com

Spend your summer cooking out with friends, lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun, going to the local fair, going to concerts, reading the Lanthorn, and chasing your wildest dreams.

,I \RX ILQG \RXUVHOI ERUHG WKLV VXPPHU KHUH LV D OLWWOH EXFNHW OLVW WR NHHS \RX EXV\ XQWLO VFKRRO VWDUWV EDFN XS -Read a new book -Write a letter to an old friend -Try something that scares you -Pick up an instrument -Draw or sketch anything that comes to mind

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; John Lubbock

year,â&#x20AC;? Peets said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My pitching coach had a (radar) gun on me for the first time ever and he showed me it and it said 87 mph. I was like â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Holy shit, I never knew I could do that.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Once Peets saw that number on the radar gun, he said that was when he knew he had an opportunity to take his game to the next level. Coincidentally, it was also during that pre-district tournament that GVSU head coach Jamie Detillion first noticed Peets, whose high school is about a 25-minute drive away from GVSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Allendale campus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We first came across Rylan in pre-districts for high schools in the local area about two years ago,â&#x20AC;? Detillion said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He flashed the velocity to pitch at the DII level, but what we really liked about him right off the bat was how competitive he was on the mound.â&#x20AC;?

After wrapping up his junior year, Peets ended up playing a handful of travel ball games at GVSU on top of attending a number of training camps that helped him highlight his competitive nature, which resulted in him gaining an offer to play baseball at GVSU. LOG ON TO:

.#//0*

2

8

6

1

5

8

6

4

9

3

2

5

7 5

8

4

6 7

9 2

5 3

4

8 2

8

4

7 6

!"#$"#%&'($)*+,-%.//+,012"3#4#-0123#56789: