inside: GVsU swimminG and diVinG opens the 2011-12 season
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October 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
8
football
The Laker football team joins forces with a program to help raise money for research.
Special from the Grand Rapids Press
14
Volleyball
Swimming & Div ing
Team looks to find its rhythm.
2011-12 Season Preview
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2
Photo Finish
6 6
News in Brief 5 Things To Know ...
10
The Green Zone
13
Player Profiles
15
The Grid
16
Sandra’s Snapshot
Tim Nott Doug Lipinski Doug Witte Courtney Zudweg DJ Foster Amanda Murphy Kyle Schwerin Jenison Printing PRINTER Jessica Beswick CONTRIBUTORS Janine Freeman Katy Grzyb Sandra Jennings Sharon Kowalczyk GVSU Sports Information
EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR ADVERTISING DIRECTOR STAFF WRITERS
GVSU Football Carries for a Cure
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Volume 3, Issue 4
GV Sports Monthly Magazine is a magazine that focuses on athletics at Grand Valley State University. Copies of the magazine are free to the community and located on news stands in the greater Grand Rapids area. Copies of the magazine are also distributed in Allendale by the Advance Newspaper.
GV Sports Monthly Magazine GVSU, Fieldhouse
QUESTION & ANSWER
Keri Becker GVSU Athletics Senior Associate Athletic Director -QYou recently joined the GVSU Athletics Staff, what exactly is your role? -ALike all of my colleagues on the intercollegiate administration team, I will wear many hats when it comes to the day-today activities of the athletic department. Primarily, I am the sport supervisor for Men’s & Women’s Swimming & Diving, Men’s & Women’s Tennis, Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Golf, and Cheerleading, but will be involved in most other sports’ home events. Further, I will assist Walter Moore with administering the NCAA Compliance program. Specifically, I will work with Financial Aid/Scholarships and completing required NCAA/Federal reports. I will also be involved with various committees within athletics and across campus, as well as helping Dr. Damon Arnold with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee(SAAC). While these are some primary duties, the great thing about intercollegiate athletics is that every day really does bring something new. -QTell us a little about yourself.
-AI am a twin in a family of five, born and raised in Michigan, loving every second of every season hot and cold! Athletics has always been a big part of my life. My motto in life is “If someone’s playing-I’m in!” It doesn’t matter the game, sport, or challenge—I love to compete. I attended Saginaw Valley State University where I played softball four years and tennis my 4th and 5th year while I finished my Criminal Justice degree. Being a Division II student-athlete is where I fell in love with college athletics and the philosophy of Division II where I could engage in my sport as well as everything else the university had to offer. With this experience, I knew I would spend the rest of my life in intercollegiate athletics. I was in the United States Army Reserve from 1992-2000, and was later called to active duty from January 2003-January 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I served most of my time in Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, where I was in charge of supply for Special Operations Command Central. I worked primarily out of Qatar, but completed short missions to Bagdad, Iraq to supply soldiers. -QWhere have you worked prior to GVSU? -AAfter my softball/tennis career at SVSU, I was the assistant softball coach and intramural director. In 1996, I was given the opportunity to be the head softball coach at Ferris State University, where I spent the last 15 years. Over the last 10 years at Ferris, I picked up administrative duties that helped prepare me for my new role here in Grand Valley Athletics. -QWhat excites you the most about your new position? -ALeaving the coaching ranks for administration was a difficult decision; however the idea of having an impact on ALL student-athletes in a different way is the biggest thing I am looking forward to. •3
-QWhat’s your favorite part about working in college athletics? -AWithout a doubt, supporting the success of student-athletes academically and athletically is my favorite part. To watch them “win a little bit everyday” athletically that helps them build toward the ultimate goal of graduation is quite rewarding. The growth and maturation process throughout the 4 or 5 years they are here is amazing, and in the end my fondest moment is when they leave with that degree in hand. -QWhat was your first impression of Grand Valley State as a university? -AQuite simply—Excellence in all that they do. -QWhat has been the best advice you’ve ever received? -ASnickering…I would say, “Take the job at Grand Valley”. Beyond that, my Athletic Director at Saginaw Valley, Bob Becker (no relation), once said to me,” If you always do what you’ve always done, you’re always gonna get what you always got.” That resonated with me in such a way that it never left my thoughts in how I approach most things. Consistency is great, however we must continually reinvent ourselves to ensure that consistency will remain effective. -QOutside of work, what do you enjoy doing? -AI embrace the lifestyle in athletics, so I love working, however I find balance by boating, golfing, home improvement projects, spending time with my lab/ shepherd puppy Connor, reading, and being out and about doing just about anything with my friends.
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Volleyball Team Finding Its Rhythm
T
by Kyle Schwerin - staff writer
he Grand Valley State volleyball team got off to a promising start to the season when it made its trip to Florida to open up the year. The Lakers went 2-0 on the first day, defeating Shippensburg (25-12, 2624, 25-17) in straight sets before taking down host St. Leo (21-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-15, 15-12) in a grueling five set match. GVSU found a stumbling block on the next day, getting swept away by Rollins (27-25, 25-15, 25-19) before rebounding to beat host school Florida Southern (25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 27-25) to begin their season with a 3-1 record. It was when the Lakers returned home to the midwest that things started getting tougher. A hard-fought five-set affair with one of the GLIAC favorites, Northern Michigan, started GVSU off on the wrong foot in the conference standings as they dropped the decision, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10. The Lakers finished their Upper Peninsula road trip the next day by defeating Michigan Tech (25-16, 25-22,
25-20). When GVSU traveled to Ferris State to take on the bitter rival, it was again beat pretty convincingly, dropping the match in straight sets, 25-21, 25-15, 25-22 as the Lakers hit just .118 in the contest. After that awakening in Big Rapids, the Lakers dominated their next two opponents, taking down Lake Superior State (25-17, 26-24, 25-14) in straight sets and then defeating Northwood (22-25, 25-17, 25-9, 25-12). The go-to attacker for GVSU has been, by far, sophomore outside hitter Stacey Catalano. She is leading the Lakers in kills (130) and digs (137), both by at least 80 over the next highest totals on the team. Catalano has had a double-double (kills-digs) in every match so far this season except the season opener against Shippensburg in which Catalano fell one kill short, posting a nine kill-11 dig line. She has twice passed the 20kill mark, racking up 21 against both St. Leo and Florida Southern. She also notched a 20-dig game against North-
wood. The Lakers have posted a 6-3 overall record despite experiencing a youth movement at almost every position this season. The team carries only three seniors, one of which plays significant time. Out of the top five kill totals on the team thus far, only one of them, Nicole Whiddon, is a senior. Her 40 kills on the year ranks fifth on the squad. Catalano, a sophomore, leads the way, followed by freshman Abby Aiken (60), sophomore Megan Schroeder (52) and junior Eno Umoh (51). Catalano’s 130 kills puts her at the top of the list in the GLIAC, while Umoh’s 12 solo blocks is tops in the conference and her 23 block assists give her 35 total for the year, third in the league. The Lakers are just getting into the swing of things on their home court as they are currently in the middle of a seven-match homestand that ends on October 2nd with a showdown against Ferris State. Following two away matches
Stacey Catalano leads the team in total kills so far this season.
after that, GVSU will head to the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover to face off against three GLVC opponents. Two more home matches, this time against Northern Michigan and Michigan Tech, will wrap up the home schedule on October 21st and 22nd. The Lakers end the regular season on a fivematch road trip that starts at Saginaw Valley State (10/26) and ends at Northwood (11/6) before the GLIAC Tournament begins on November 10th.
MAJORS IN FINANCIAL FREEDOM PNC VIRTUAL WALLET® STUDENT is an online money management tool that can help make campus life at GVSU a little easier. It has a feature that lets you send e-mail notifications to anyone who owes you cash, so you can get paid back faster. And the option to set up Parent Alerts that tell Mom and Dad when you’re running low. It even has a PNC Virtual Wallet iPhone® app, so you can access your account from anywhere. Take control of your money at pncvirtualwallet.com/student, call 1-877-PNC-1000 or stop by the PNC branch at 5111 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale, MI 49401.
©2011 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC 10x7 University Banking 0511-02
•5
NEWS IN BRIEF
Basketball Tip-Off Madness gVSu basketball is quickly approaching, which means tip-off madness is coming soon. tip-off madness kicks off the start of the basketball season with a night filled with gVSu men’s and women’s basketball teams leading fans in contests and giveaways. Stay tuned to gvsulakers.com and grand Valley State Lakers on facebook for event date and details. Laker Homecoming Race the gVSu cross country team will be hosting the Laker homecoming 5k Walk/run on october 29th. events kick off at 9:00 am with the 5k run or walk, followed by the Kids fun run at 10:00 am. the course travels throughout the grand Valley campus and there are prizes and give-a-ways for overall and age group winners. all proceeds benefit the gVSu Cross Country and track & field programs. for more information please call 616-331-3360.
GRAND
VALLEY STATE
LAKER ATHLETICS Hall of Fame Banquet gVSu’s hall of fame induction Banquet will be held on oct. 28, 2011 before the homecoming football game on the oct. 29. the banquet begins at 7:00 pm. the hall of fame inductees for this year are; amber Castonguay (Softball), eric Cowles (golf), reggie Spearmon (football), matt thornton (Baseball), mirela tutundzic (Soccer), and Jason Van elst (track & field). for tickets to the event, call (616) 3312330. Laker Soccer in October the gVSu soccer team ends its regular season home games with a weekend of contests. the Lakers will face tiffin on october 21st at 7:00 pm, continuing their new tradition of night games. they will have their final home regular season game on Sunday, october 23rd at noon against findlay. don’t miss any of the action and get your tickets at gvsutickets.com.
Being a huge part of the atmoSphere: there is nothing more exciting than being a part of a winning tradition and atmosphere. i tell all the incoming freshmen of the Laker marching Band that the first priority of the band is to support our national Champion football team. that mandate carries over to all athletic teams the bands support throughout the year. it is our job to help create a truly great collegiate game day atmosphere whether it is at Lubbers Stadium or at the fieldhouse. What makes my job easier is the fact that the athletic band program has a tradition of excellence in supporting grand Valley athletics! i knew from my first football game at gVSu, as the band did their job of “defending” the north endzone, that i was apart of something very special. a major goal of mine was to build upon and establish traditions within the band program for different athletic events. for example, the introduction of the new football pregame show in 2009 incorporated existing traditional moves and added new elements that enhanced the game day atmosphere. one of those new elements was the opening of the giant “V” for the football team entrance. it was vitally important to me that the Laker nation remained an active participant during our pregame show. their knowledge of what to expect, when to cheer, and when to sing takes home field advantage to another level. a consistent pregame show creates tradition and a rich collegiate game day atmosphere. the thrill of watching the band members perform with discipline and excitement combined with the crowd’s participation is why i love my job.
5
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ...
being the athletic band director
piCKing SongS and Choreographing haLf time: We start the planning of the half time shows months before the season begins. i use ideas from current band students in this process. the days of the directors deciding everything are really in the past. it is a personal goal of mine to give more ownership of the marching band to the members, and show planning is one way of achieving that goal. if approached in the right way, it develops pride and investment for the members. it is a learning process for both me and the students (probably more for me). Variety is a key ingredient to half time shows. that goes for song selection and drill design. i do not “pigeon-hole” our band into one style of marching. i feel that it is important to offer the students a vast array of styles of shows. inclusion is another factor of show planning. We have a wealth of performing talent at gVSu and in this region. i try to use many different groups as special performing guests with the Laker marching Band. Some of the groups i have used include the gVSu trumpet ensemble, the gVSu Choral ensembles, members of the Swing dance Club, the gVSu dance team, and so on.
it taKeS time to maSter a performanCe: i am not sure if people are aware, but the Laker marching Band presents a new half time show for every regular season home game. this WITH JOHN MARTIN year we will learn seven different shows (including the pregame show). that breaks down to 30+ ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR songs and over 300 pages of drill charts to learn for the 2011 season. those numbers are in addition to the other 30+ songs we use at the games for cheers and extended playing. Careful planning of OF BANDS the shows is needed since there are usually home games that fall consecutively. those are called our “one week shows” since that is the amount of time we have to learn them. the planning process takes into account all of these variables, and the drill and music are adjusted to accommodate the learning process. We have incredible students in the Laker marching Band who are very fine musicians. only 20% of the marching band are music majors, the rest of the members represent 40+ different degree programs. We start our learning process at the summer band camp where we establish a marching and playing base line. each member has access to the season’s music and drill charts from our website before school begins. this helps the members to get ahead before the season begins. We learn our pregame show and the majority of the first half time show at camp. during the season it is common for us to work on two to three shows at a time. this requires a delicate balance between rehearsal management and the performance schedule. each show is not the same in regards to difficulty of drill and music. in the end, the final product we present on the field must be at the level that is expected from the “pride of the midwest.” managing So many StudentS: the 2011 Laker marching Band consists of 155 members who represent 100+ high school programs throughout the united States. it is one of my greatest joys to witness and be apart of the process of how they meld into the newest edition of the Laker marching Band each year. it is truly a huge family. as with family dynamics, sometimes the members become frustrated with each other or with me (usually more with me than with one another), but the key is communicating with each other. this has been an ongoing learning lesson for me. i must confess that at times i revert back to a more dictatorial teaching style that my college director used. this is where our student leaders are so important. they provide feedback to me concerning the atmosphere in the band. the mark of great teaching is the ability to receive constructive criticism and to adjust. to say the least, i am continually adjusting! in regards to the other side of family dynamics, the members are “one” in rehearsal and in performance. they support, teach, learn, play, and work to accomplish a common goal. the members of the Laker marching Band are incredible people, and it is a privilege to work with them. they represent the highest ideals of grand Valley State university and the greatest traditions of collegiate marching band. the Band iS at VoLLeyBaLL gameS noW too: it is a thrill to play and support our gVSu Women’s Volleyball team! the pep band is comprised of 14 brass players and 1 percussionist. When i first mentioned the creation of this pep band to the band members, there was an immediate response of excitement. each year the volleyball team is in pursuit of championships! their accomplishments extend from the 2005 nCaa division ii national Championship to multiple gLiaC championships. Coach Scanlon and gVSu athletics wanted a pep band presence to enhance the game environment, and we are thrilled to be a part of it! it is fair to say, that the relationship between gVSu athletics and the athletic bands is extremely good! this flows from athletic director, tim Selgo. he has a vision for gVSu athletics that is truly collegiate. many programs across the country do not embrace their athletic bands nor incorporate them into the “total package.” i truly believe that many great things lie ahead for both gVSu athletics and the gVSu athletic band program!
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•7
'Carries for the Cures' has Grand Valley State's Norman by michael Zuidema - special from the Grand Rapids Press Shuford running with purpose
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orman Shuford says his mother, Tammy, always tells him that God gives every person a purpose, and his isn’t simply to play football. The Grand Valley State junior running back is taking those words to heart this season. Shuford has spearheaded a fundraising campaign called "Carries for the Cures," which raises money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life program. "I feel like being able to play football and being here at Grand Valley, being blessed enough to play here, there are a lot of opportunities to give back," he said. "We don’t do enough. We do a little, but I think that we can do more." Shuford’s inspiration is his father, Norman Shuford Sr, who lost his right leg to cancer shortly before his son was born.
Shuford Sr. said he was preparing to start a professional boxing career when he visited a doctor to examine a cyst on his leg. The doctors discovered it was sarcoma and the leg would need to be amputated. "And that was that," Shuford Sr. said. His boxing career was over, but he never stopped serving as a role model to his son, who said he was scared when another lump the size of a nickel appeared on his father’s leg this summer. It proved to be noncancerous, but Shuford Jr. immediately started to think of ways he could help others going through similar situations. "My dad is still alive, still pushing, still strong. Just to see that, see the fight in him, allows me to fight more," Shuford said. "My dad is my best friend, my biggest fan. Anything I ever did in life, he’s always
been supportive of me and you don’t see that a lot, especially in urban areas, to have both of your parents. I’ve been blessed." The fundraiser accepts weekly donations through a pledge program online at CarriesfortheCures.com, and collects money based on how many yards the Lakers rack up on offense, how many tackles are made on defense or how many points are scored. Savanna Rayner, a Grand Valley State graduate who now works as the school’s staff partner at the American Cancer Society, was excited when she heard about Shuford’s idea. "I think it’s a huge opportunity," Rayner said. "With the group of people that have been working on this, everyone kind of agrees it’s a pretty cool thing and it makes it really fun."
Junior RB Norman Shuford plays a key role in the Lakers offensive attack.
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NORMAN SHUFORD Position: Running back Year: Junior Size: 5-foot-9, 196 pounds High school: Farmington Hills Harrison Last season: 93 carries for 661 yards and five touchdowns, six catches for 82 yards Fast fact: Rushed for 57 yards at Akron in 2009 before transferring to GVSU "Carries for the Cures" raised a little more than $215 in Grand Valley State’s 44-20 win against Western Oregon last week, but Shuford hopes that total increases as more people learn about the program. News about the fundraiser was delayed in part because he had to work with the NCAA and the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to gain approval. After recent scandals at Miami, Ohio State and USC, he didn’t want to take any chances. "With this idea, I really had to go through and cross the Ts and dot the Is," Shuford said. "It took time, it took a lot of preparation. But I wanted to make it loud and clear to people that it’s not any kind of scandal, this is a cancer fundraiser." Shuford Sr. wasn’t surprised that his son wanted to give back. "He’s that kind of kid. When
he was in high school, they have special facilities for kids with special needs, and he was a buddy to those kids," Shuford Sr. said. "He would help get them around the school and stuff like that, but he took it even farther and had friendships with some of them. He found out they were just like regular people. "He’s a sensitive, giving person. He’s just like that." Grand Valley State coach Matt Mitchell said he was glad to see Shuford not only organized the fundraiser, but also found a way to include the entire team. "That’s who he is. That’s not something that’s fake or contrived," Mitchell said. "At the heart of him, that’s who Norman Shuford is. I’m glad we’re doing it." Shuford said he got choked up while talking to his teammates about his idea, and then hearing the stories from players who also had family members and friends who suffered from cancer. The fundraiser gives him an extra boost of energy every time he
Shuford rushed for 397 yards in the month of September with a 6.7 yards per carry average.
takes the field. Not that he necessarily needs it as the Lakers’ No. 1 running back after backing up Justin Sherrod last season. "I’m running for a purpose, I’m not just running for me. I’m not running for just my family, I’m running for people around the whole entire world," Shuford said. "Every
catch we get, every tackle we get, every completion we get is for the entire community. "You never really know who has been affected." Shuford said he still regularly calls his dad for advice, and hopes he can be half the man his father is to his own kids some day. Shuford Sr. said
he’s proud of his son. They’ve had a special bond since the day he was born. "We’ve always been very close. He always listens -- maybe sometimes he didn’t want to -- but he’s a good kid," he said. "He’s got his head on straight. He knows what he wants to do."
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PLAYER PROFILES i liked the golf facilities, and i felt comfortable here.
Why did you choose to become a Laker?
my dad because he taught me how to play the game.
Who has had the biggest impact on your sports career?
Winning the 2009 gLiaC Championship.
CHASE
OLSEN year
Junior
sport
Men’s Golf
traveling to florida with the team.
If you could play another sport at GVSU what would it be?
Basketball
finishing Law School.
What are you planning on doing in 5 years?
graduating
if they play like it’s the preseason.
WIll the Detroit Lions make the playos this year?
for sure.
ABBY
EBELS year
Sophomore major
FAVORITE...
Criminal Justice
White Pigeon, MI
my parents.
Swimming and diving.
major
hometown
What has been your most memorable moment at GVSU so far?
it was close to home and has good academics/athletics.
Undecided
Mexican
Food
Mashed Potatoes
hometown
Criminal Law
Class
Anthropology
Onstead, MI
Henrik Zetterberg Notre Dame men’s basketball
Pro Athlete Sports Team
Misty May-Treanor Detroit Tigers
sport
Volleyball
$
• 13
Swimming and Diving Teams Prepare for the 2011-12 Season
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he 2011-12 Swimming and Diving season is fast approaching. The team will begin the year on October 8 at 1 pm with the Blue & White Intrasquad Meet in the GVSU Pool. The Lakers then hit the road for a meet at Wisconsin-Milwaukee on October 15. On October 21 the team will return to Allendale to face off against Lewis at 5 pm. Grand Valley will then make the quick trip to Grand Rapids to compete against Calvin on October 28. The Lakers will then begin their GLIAC schedule as they travel to Ashland, Ohio on October 29. The team will host Michigan State on November 11 at the Jenison High School Pool at 6 pm. Another GLIAC opponent awaits on November 12 as Northern Michigan comes to Allendale. On November 18 and 19 the Lakers will be at Ball State University for the Doug Coers Invite. Another invitational awaits the team December 1-3 as they compete in the Calvin Invitational in Grand Rapids. The Lakers start the new year by travelling to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 2 to face Nova Southeastern. Grand Valley will meet another GLIAC team on January 7 as the team travels to Detroit to face Wayne State at 1 pm. On January 14 the Lakers will be back home to host Findlay in a 1 pm contest. The team then treks to Holland on January 20 to compete against Hope College. The Lakers final regular season meet takes place on January 21 as they head to Indianapolis. The Lakers will compete in the GLIAC Championships February 8-11 at the Jenison High School pool. Finally, the Lakers will end their season with the NCAA Division II National Championships in Mansfield, Texas March 13-17.
Men The 2010-11 season was a successful one for the Laker Men’s Swimming and Diving team, but in the 2011-12 year the team is looking to be even better. A year ago the Laker Men finished second at the GLIAC Championships and seventh at the NCAA Division II National Championships. This year the team is looking to improve on those finishes. The Lakers are seeking their fourth GLIAC Championship and a top 5 finish at the National Championships in 2011-12. Leading the men this season are three seniors Raphael Santos, Aaron Beebe, and Jonathan Bardsley. Santos swims backstroke and butterfly for the team. He finished second in the 100 backstroke and eighth in the 200 backstroke at the 2011 GLIAC Championships. Santos went on to touch 19th in the 200 backstroke at the 2011 National Championships. Beebe swims the butterfly and freestyle. He was named GLIAC Player of the Week twice during the 2010-11 season. The Grand Haven native is a three time GLIAC Champion after he won two individual GLIAC titles at the 2011 Championships with first-place finishes in the 100 butterfly and the 200 butterfly and a third title with the 800 freestyle relay team. He led the way for the Lakers at the 2011 National Championship meet with his second-place finish and school-record in the 100 butterfly with a time of 48.01. He also finished second in the 200 butterfly and swam the final leg a second place freestyle relay team. Beebe was part of the 400 medley relay team that finished fourth along with Raphael Santos, and then freshman Aaron Marken. Bardsley finished fourth in the 400 IM at the GLIAC Championships
and also touched fourth in the 200 backstroke. Also looking to contribute in the new year are sophomores Erik Aakesson and Michael Griffith and junior Derek Mead. Mead won his first GLIAC title last year as he was part of the 800 freestyle relay team that included Aaron Beebe and finished first. Aakesson and Griffith joined Raphael Santos and Aaron Beebe to finish second in the 200 medley relay at the GLIAC Championships. Griffith and Mead were also a part of the 200 freestyle relay team that finished fourth. The entire Laker team looks to improve on previous performances and add more GLIAC titles and possibly National Championships to their records. Women The 2011-12 Women’s Swimming and Diving team will be looking to add a second GLIAC Championship to the Laker record books. The first championship came three years ago in 2009 and the Lakers are poised to win another. The Lakers finished second at the GLIAC Championships and ninth at the National Championship meet last year; the team looks to improve both finishes. Grand Valley will be led this year by four seniors Karen Verbrugge, Carly Bush, Rachel Strom, and Lauren Dorsey. Verbrugge won her third straight GLIAC title in the 1-meter dive with a score of 454.35 at the 2011 Championships. The Ada, Michigan native finished second in the 3-meter dive. She was also named 2010-11 GLIAC Women’s Diver of the Year. At the National Championship meet she set the schoolrecord on the 1-meter diving board with a second-place finish. Her 11-dive total of 489.60 broke her own previous record of
SANDRA’S SNAPSHOT
“Imagine Beauty”
Sandra Jennings is an Administrative Assistant in the athletic department. This two story mound of gravel is where GVSU’s Seidman Center will stand when completed in 2013.
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by Katy grzyb - contributor
465.70. Carly Bush led the Lakers in 201011 with a second-place finish in the 1000 freestyle at the GLIAC Championships. Her time of 10:13.79 bested the previous school record by over 10 seconds. She also tallied a second-place finish and set another schoolrecord in the 100 butterfly with a time of 56.65. Bush claimed her first-ever GLIAC individual title with a first-place finish in the 200 butterfly. She also led the second-place 800 freestyle relay team. Her best finish at the National Championship meet came in the 1650 freestyle where she touched tenth. Rachel Strom tallied a third place finish in the 3-meter dive and a fifth place finish in the 1-meter dive at the GLIAC Championships. She went on to finish third in the 3-meter dive at the National Championship meet. Lauren Dorsey tallied a fourth-place finish in the 100 breaststroke and a fifthplace finish in the 200 IM at the GLIAC Championships last year. She finished seventh in the 200 breaststroke at the National Championships and was part of multiple top 15 relay teams. Adding to these four seniors are many returners including Jennifer Root and Kelsey Vermeer. Root finished sixth in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives at the GLIAC Championships in 2010-11. She was the top Laker in the 3-meter dive at the National Championship meet where she finished second with a score of 474.55. Vermeer touched fifth twice at the GLIAC Championships last year in the 50 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. All of the returners and new swimmers are looking to add to the success of the program for the coming year.
o
r e b o ct
I love Grand Valley State University because...
What was the best part of your summer?
My favorite holiday is... Concert you would love to see? Better place to live: big city or open country?
Paul Zielinski
Allyssa DeHaan
Al Owens
Nick Polk
Track and Cross Country Columbus, Ind.
Volleyball Grand Rapids, Mich.
Game Operations Belleville, Mich.
Cross Country Assistant Coach
of the winters.
Indianapolis, Ind.
the Laker is an awesome The people- students, faculty of the friendships I’ve made and the improvements I have made as an athmascot! and staff. lete and as a student.
Traveling.
Being in my friend’s wedding and going to California.
When sun was up on the 1st tee.
doing an internship in New York City.
4th of July.
Christmas, I love spending time with family, fellowship, baking sweets, and the music.
Thanksgiving and of course my birthday.
Christmas.
The band Fun, but Kanye and Jay-Z would be sweet as well.
Jimmy Buffett.
Bob Seger.
A group called Band of Horses.
I’m a city slicker.
I’m a city girl and love downtown GR.
Open city.
Somewhere in between like West Michigan.
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Nicole Whiddon (19) and another player block a kill attempt in the Lakers home openning win again LSSU on Sept. 16. Photo courtesy Doug Witte
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