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The 2025-26 school year brought plenty to talk about in Grand Valley State athletics.
Here are the top five stories of the school year:
As the final seconds ticked away, the joy began to spread across the faces of the Grand Valley State women's basketball team.
The Lakers defended their NCAA Division II Championship to close a remarkable season that saw them perform under intense pressure, from outside and from within, to repeat - every game with a target on their backs.
That was the case in the championship game and the top-ranked Lakers, like they have all season, used determination to transform the pressure into a jubilant conclusion, beating No. 4 Indiana University-Pennsylvania 72-49 on Saturday, March 28, in Pittsburgh.
"It is so special. It is such a blessing to be in this position with these girls," GVSU senior Nicole Kamin. "There have been so many emotions throughout this whole week. We knew this was our last game (as seniors) and we just put it all out there."
More: BACK TO BACK GVSU women's basketball repeats as NCAA Division II national champions
One year ago, the Grand Valley State women's track and field team won the NCAA Division II championship by a single point.
This year, it was the GVSU men's turn.
The Lakers scored 66 points to hold off Pittsburg State (61) and the rest of the field to claim the NCAA Division II championship on Saturday, May 23, in Emporia, Kansas.
It is the second NCAA team title in GVSU men's history.
The Lakers got huge points in the hammer throw with a 1-2 finish. Michael Griffey launched the winning throw in 69.87 meters (229 feet, 2 inches) to earn the NCAA championship.
More: GVSU men's track and field wins NCAA championship; Chapa brothers, Ulven All-American
The Grand Valley State women's cross country team claimed its eighth NCAA Division II championship on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Lakers scored 65 points to hold off the Colorado School of Mines by four points.
Abigail VanderKooi led the Lakers, finishing sixth overall in a personal-best 20:25.6.
"Winning an NCAA title is never easy," GVSU coach Jerry Baltes said. "Our women have been committed to each other and doing things right all year. That showed today from the start to the finish of the race."
More: GVSU women's cross country races to NCAA Division II championship
Grand Valley State University announced a complete renovation of the Grand Valley Field House at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village.
Construction will begin immediately, with a completion date of August 1, 2026.
The revamped arena will consist of a main court, with two adjacent wooden courts. It is home to the GVSU national champion women's volleyball program, men's basketball and the three-time national champion women's basketball program.
In addition, the arena is used for concerts, lectures, student life events, local, and regional events, campus recreation intramurals and club events. The main arena structure is approximately 45,000 square feet and provides seating for more than 3,000 spectators.
More: GVSU announces renovation project for Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village
The Grand Valley football team was having a good time after crushing Roosevelt University 69-13 on Saturday, Nov. 14, on an unseasonably warm 60-degree day.
But the season is over for the Lakers (5-2, 7-3), who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“It’s gonna haunt me for a long time not being able to get this senior class in the playoffs,” GVSU coach Scott Wooster said. “The standard, the expectation here at Grand Valley State is to get those guys (in the playoffs).”
More: GVSU football ends season with win, but misses playoffs for first time since 2019
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU Sports School Year in Review: Top 5 stories of 2025-26
Continue reading...
Here are the top five stories of the school year:
1. GVSU women's basketball repeats as NCAA Division II national champions
You must be registered for see images
As the final seconds ticked away, the joy began to spread across the faces of the Grand Valley State women's basketball team.
The Lakers defended their NCAA Division II Championship to close a remarkable season that saw them perform under intense pressure, from outside and from within, to repeat - every game with a target on their backs.
That was the case in the championship game and the top-ranked Lakers, like they have all season, used determination to transform the pressure into a jubilant conclusion, beating No. 4 Indiana University-Pennsylvania 72-49 on Saturday, March 28, in Pittsburgh.
"It is so special. It is such a blessing to be in this position with these girls," GVSU senior Nicole Kamin. "There have been so many emotions throughout this whole week. We knew this was our last game (as seniors) and we just put it all out there."
More: BACK TO BACK GVSU women's basketball repeats as NCAA Division II national champions
2. GVSU men's track and field wins NCAA championship
You must be registered for see images attach
One year ago, the Grand Valley State women's track and field team won the NCAA Division II championship by a single point.
This year, it was the GVSU men's turn.
The Lakers scored 66 points to hold off Pittsburg State (61) and the rest of the field to claim the NCAA Division II championship on Saturday, May 23, in Emporia, Kansas.
It is the second NCAA team title in GVSU men's history.
The Lakers got huge points in the hammer throw with a 1-2 finish. Michael Griffey launched the winning throw in 69.87 meters (229 feet, 2 inches) to earn the NCAA championship.
More: GVSU men's track and field wins NCAA championship; Chapa brothers, Ulven All-American
3. GVSU women's cross country races to NCAA Division II championship
You must be registered for see images attach
The Grand Valley State women's cross country team claimed its eighth NCAA Division II championship on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The Lakers scored 65 points to hold off the Colorado School of Mines by four points.
Abigail VanderKooi led the Lakers, finishing sixth overall in a personal-best 20:25.6.
"Winning an NCAA title is never easy," GVSU coach Jerry Baltes said. "Our women have been committed to each other and doing things right all year. That showed today from the start to the finish of the race."
More: GVSU women's cross country races to NCAA Division II championship
4. GVSU announces renovation project for Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village
You must be registered for see images attach
Grand Valley State University announced a complete renovation of the Grand Valley Field House at the Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village.
Construction will begin immediately, with a completion date of August 1, 2026.
The revamped arena will consist of a main court, with two adjacent wooden courts. It is home to the GVSU national champion women's volleyball program, men's basketball and the three-time national champion women's basketball program.
In addition, the arena is used for concerts, lectures, student life events, local, and regional events, campus recreation intramurals and club events. The main arena structure is approximately 45,000 square feet and provides seating for more than 3,000 spectators.
More: GVSU announces renovation project for Raleigh J. Finkelstein Athletic Village
5. GVSU football ends season with win, but misses playoffs for first time since 2019
You must be registered for see images attach
The Grand Valley football team was having a good time after crushing Roosevelt University 69-13 on Saturday, Nov. 14, on an unseasonably warm 60-degree day.
But the season is over for the Lakers (5-2, 7-3), who will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“It’s gonna haunt me for a long time not being able to get this senior class in the playoffs,” GVSU coach Scott Wooster said. “The standard, the expectation here at Grand Valley State is to get those guys (in the playoffs).”
More: GVSU football ends season with win, but misses playoffs for first time since 2019
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: GVSU Sports School Year in Review: Top 5 stories of 2025-26
Continue reading...
