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Permanent link for GVSU Wrestling Competed in the Ben McMullen Open and the Tiffin University Women's Open on November 6, 2024
The Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club, focusing on growth,
displayed grit and resilience over the weekend as the men's and
women's teams took to the mats for early-season tests. The men
competed in the Ben McMullen Open at Muskegon Community College, while
the women headed to the Tiffin University Women's Open in Ohio.
Although the competitions were tough, the Lakers walked away with
valuable experience, showcasing a season of growth and hard work.
In the 125-pound division, freshman Zach Koenig made a notable
impression with a fiery start. Koenig opened with a fall over Liam
Castricone from Niagara CC, followed by an impressive 41-second pin
against Mott Community College's Keenan Pake. His aggressive style
propelled him into the semifinals, where he met Muskegon CC's Jack
Guerrero. Despite a valiant effort, Koenig fell to Guerrero by a
technical fall. In the consolation semis, Koenig was pinned by Ayden
Downing of Niagara CC, rounding out a hard-fought day.
At 141 pounds, Jacob Bathas won his opening about in a close 9-7
decision over Muskegon CC's Owen Cruden. Batha's journey was cut short
by a technical fall loss to Dylan Phelps of Olivet College in the
quarterfinals, and his day ended with a loss in the consolation rounds
against Brennan Bolen from Western Michigan's club.
Ellery Smith, competing at 165 pounds, began his day with a pin
over Sonny Gilbert from Marian University Ancilla. Smith advanced to
the quarterfinals but was stopped by Alma College's Carter Melonio. In
a close consolation about, Smith fell to Calvin Huggler from Alma
College with a 7-2 decision.
Heavyweight Jason Smith led the men's team with a fourth-place
finish. After a first-round bye, Smith advanced due to an injury
default by Olivet College's George Daniel. He was defeated by Jayson
Roy from the University of Michigan's club in the semifinals but
bounced back in the consolation semis with a major decision win over
Dennis Weston of Marian University Ancilla. In the third-place match,
Smith was pinned by Brody Miskimon from Alma College.
Head Coach Ryan Lancaster praised the men's team's determination
and relentless effort. "Every match, every minute on the mat,
these young men are learning and growing," Lancaster remarked.
"Wins and losses don't just measure success; it's about the
fight, the resilience, and the constant pursuit of improvement. I'm
proud of the grit they showed out there and excited to see how this
experience shapes them for the rest of the season."
The women's team competed intensely at the Tiffin University
Women's Open, with wrestlers Ayla Lipscomb, Krysta Luce, and Sophia
Sunior stepping onto the mats against tough opponents.
Despite the early exits, Lipscomb's determination underscored her
potential as she took away valuable lessons to fuel her future growth.
In the 180-pound division, Luce faced Jordan Torres-Carrillo from
Tiffin University in a closely contested match, ultimately falling
8-6. In the consolation rounds, Luce met Mia Gaetjens from Adrian
College, who secured a technical fall. Luce's performance demonstrated
her resilience and promise as she continued to build her skill set in
collegiate competition.
Sophia Sunior, competing at 207 pounds, faced a formidable
first-round opponent in Mount Union's Lyndsee Young, who claimed a
10-0 technical fall. In the consolation rounds, Sunior advanced with a
bye but was defeated by Kiley McClain from Bluefield State, who won by
fall. Sunior's performance highlighted her willingness to compete and
grind it out against strong opponents.
Reflecting on the women's performance, Coach Lancaster noted,
"Every time these women step on the mat, they gain critical
experience to fuel their growth as wrestlers. The Tiffin Open was a
reminder that while the scoreboard may not always reflect the effort
and heart these athletes put in, each match is a building block in
their journey. We're not just looking for winsýwe're building
resilience, grit, and skills that will pay off in the long run."
Both the men's and women's teams showed flashes of potential and
moments of growth that will set the stage for the season ahead. The
Ben McMullen Open and Tiffin Open gave the GVSU Wrestling Club a
glimpse of their strengths and areas for improvement, laying a solid
foundation. These teams are ready to push their limits and bring
intensity to each upcoming tournament, leaving the audience hopeful
for future performances.
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Wrestling
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Permanent link for GVSU Wrestling Competed in the Ben McMullen Open and the Tiffin University Women's Open on November 6, 2024.
Permanent link for GVSU Wrestling Club Grits Out Solid Performances at Fall Brawl Open on October 28, 2024
FLINT, MI ý The GVSU-WC entered the 2024 Fall Brawl Open at Mott
Community College with a determined spirit and a point to prove.
Despite the fierce competition, the Lakers displayed remarkable
resilience, delivering promising performances in a day filled with
challenges and triumphs.
At 133 lbs, sophomore Zach Koenig turned in a gritty effort to
snag a fourth-place finish. It wasn't an easy road, as Koenig was
caught in the second round by Vicente Navarro of Henry Ford College,
losing by fall at 6:30. Undeterred, he bounced back. He delivered a
29-second pin over Keenan Pake from Mott Community College, giving
GVSU a big lift. Despite dropping his other two matches, Koenig's
persistence shone through.
"Zach's got that scrapper mentality," head coach Ryan
Lancaster said. "He took his lumps but came back and showed what
he's made of with that lightning-fast pin."
Unattached wrestler Zach Egan had a rollercoaster ride at 157
lbs, but his win was hard-earned. Egan got off to a rough start,
getting caught by Dayveon Rupert of Southwest Michigan Community
College in 3:51. He bounced back strong, putting Alex Daniel of the
Michigan Club on his back in just 40 seconds in the consolation
bracket. Egan's day ended with a loss to Carter Simota of Henry Ford
College, who scored the fall at 3:28.
"There's no quit in Zach," Lancaster remarked. "He
got right back up after a tough loss and took care of business. He's
got the potential to be a real force for us."
In a remarkable women's folkstyle exhibition match, Krysta Luce
made quick work of Alex Anguina from Michigan, pinning her in the
first period and electrifying the GVSU bench. The exhibition might
have been outside the official bracket, but Luce did not doubt her talent.
"Krysta went out there and dominated," said Lancaster.
"She's setting the tone for our women's program, and I can't wait
to see where she goes from here."
Freshman Jacob Batha had his work cut out in the 141 lb bracket.
He started against Henry Ford's Daniel Gonzalez-Cancel, who took the
match via technical fall, 15-0. Batha received a consolation bye but
fell short in the semi against John Hurley, losing by a major decision (15-7).
"Jacob's day didn't go as planned, but he kept
swinging," Lancaster said. "He's learning with each match,
and that's what matters."
The day's highlight for GVSU came from Luke Lyons, who took
second place in the 197 lb division. Lyons narrowly lost his opening
match to Lionel Baldwin of Michigan, 2-1, but came back with a
vengeance, pinning NCWA National Qualifier Anthony Janowski of Akron
in 3:50 to secure the runner-up spot.
"Luke's a warrior," Lancaster said proudly. "He
didn't let that one-point loss rattle him. He regrouped and delivered
a statement pin."
At heavyweight, Blake Wilson's first taste of collegiate
competition didn't come with a win, but it did provide plenty of
learning opportunities. In the opening round, he dropped a tight 13-8
decision to Lance Gray of Henry Ford. After a consolation bye,
Wilson's day ended with a fall to DeAngelo Williams at 1:27.
"Blake showed flashes of what he's capable of,"
Lancaster said. "He's got the tools; with more experience, he'll
be a difference-maker."
Coach Ryan Lancaster, while acknowledging the difficulties faced
at the Fall Brawl, saw plenty of reasons to be hopeful. "It was a
challenging day, no doubt, but we showed heart and glimpses of our
potential. Our team fought hard, and that's what I'm excited to see."
As the Lakers look forward to the rest of the season, Lancaster
and his squad will sharpen their skills, focus on conditioning, and
fine-tune their techniques. The results may not have gone their way
yet, but GVSU is ready to grind.
"We're laying the foundation for something bigger,"
Lancaster said. "Every match, win or lose, brings us closer to
where we want to be. The important thing is to keep pushing and
growing as a team."
The Fall Brawl may not have ended with the Lakers at the top of
the podium, but their grit and determination suggest brighter days
ahead for the Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club.
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Wrestling
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Permanent link for GVSU Wrestling Club Grits Out Solid Performances at Fall Brawl Open on October 28, 2024.
Permanent link for GVSU Swim Club Makes Their Mark at the Spooky Spartan Invitational on October 9, 2024
EAST LANSING, MI - It was a successful day for 30 students on the GVSU Swim Club team who traveled to Michigan State University on October 5th, 2024 to attend the Spooky Spartan Invitational where they placed 5th overall against 9 different teams from Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
The women's had ended up placing 6th overall. Their top swims include the Women's A 200 free relay (Julia Dennof, Emma Buckler, and Tilly Oppett) and the Women's A 200 medley relay (Tilly Oppett, Molly Smith, Kaley Vansuch, and Emily Almas) which placed 7th. Molly Smith placed 7th in the 50 breast and 8th in the 100 IM (individual medley). Placing 4th in the 100 fly would be Kaley Vansuch. Victoria Weeden placed 7th in the 500 free and 5th in the 100 free.
The men placed 4th overall. The top swims for the men include the Men's A 200 free relay (Caden Sauve, Riley Greene, Nicholas Carlson, and Nick Klug) and the Men's A 200 medley relay (Mason Harding, Brandon Gardner, Nick Klug, and Caden Sauve) where they placed 2nd. Hunter Converse placed 5th in the 100 back, Matt Robinson placed 5th in the 500 free, Caden Suave placed 3rd in the 400 IM, and Chalmer Young placed 3rd in the 500 free. Not only did Brandon Gardner get nationals cut in the 50 breast (placed 3rd) and 200 IM (placed 3rd), but also got 5th in the 100 IM, and 4th in the 100 breast. Mason Harding, who got the national cut in the 50 back (placed 2nd), also placed 3rd in the 200 back and 4th in the 100 IM. The last nationals cut would be Nick Klug for the 50 free (placed 2nd) and ended up placing 2nd in the 100 IM.
During each event GVSU students were cheering each other on at the end of the lanes, helping to bring up the motivation for each participant! The Spooky Spartan Invitational was also a great opportunity for swimmers to reconnect with previous teammates and friends.
We look forward to seeing those in the GVSU Swim Club excel at the next meet!
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Swim
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Permanent link for GVSU Swim Club Makes Their Mark at the Spooky Spartan Invitational on October 9, 2024.
Permanent link for Grand Valley State University Excels at Allentucky Waterbowl on September 13, 2024
CONKLIN, MICHIGAN - GVSU's Waterski and Wakeboard Club had recently finished 1st place at this year's Allentucky Waterbowl on September 7th-8th. Grand Valley was joined by 5 other teams, such as Michigan State University and Ferris State University, but became victorious as a team and individually.
The Allentucky Waterbowl consists of 3 events; slalom, tricks, and jumps. Slalom is an event that takes 3 separate factors and implements them into the event. First is the amount of buoys that the competitor skis around, the speed at which you are taking these turns, and the rope length. The goal of this event is for one to ski around as many buoys as they possibly can while increasing their speed and shortening the amount of rope that you ski behind. For the tricks event, each participant is given 20 seconds to show off their skills by performing eligible tricks in front of the judges, but if one ends up falling, then your time is cut short. Lastly, the jump event is considered to be the most intriguing event. You are given specially designed skis, a helmet, and a padded jumpsuit. To start the event, one prepares themselves to jump over a 5ft ramp, with a speed between 24 mph-32 mph depending on your skill level, and then the participant that ends up with the most distance is the winner of this event.
The Waterski and Wakeboard Club had multiple participants who placed in these events and developed a new personal best jump distance, tricks, and more. Firstly, Megan Fischette placed in all 3 events; 1st in Slalom, 3rd in women's jumps, and 3 in women's tricks, which became a new personal best. Matt Freitag was another big winner placing 3rd in men's jumps with a new personal best of 95ft. Sydnie Lipski was another participant who had placed in all 3 events, those being 2nd in women's tricks, 4th in women's slalom, and 4th in women's jumps, all of these becoming a new personal best for her to top performances off! Placing 4th in women's trick and developing 2 new personal bests with slalom and tricks is Bri Baughman. Jackie Karemh also had a night with placing 5th in women's jumps, which had also become a jump personal best with a distance of 39ft. Lastly, Delaney Novach had placed 5th in women's slalom.
Not only was it a great 2 days for those Lakers, but we cannot forget about these Lakers who had gained new personal bests to beat in the next tournament! Caroline De Roo and Joe Brock with their 1st jumps landed, Lex Bontemps with a new jump PB, Alex Underhill with slalom 1.5 at 28/trick 290, and Mario Dannunzio with trick 280 and 56ft in jumps!
Congratulations to the Lakers who showed up to their first tournament of this season and made anyone watching proud! We look forward to seeing what the next tournaments bring!
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Waterski and Wakeboard
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Permanent link for Grand Valley State University Excels at Allentucky Waterbowl on September 13, 2024.
Permanent link for Men's Club Volleyball Wins GLMVC Conference Championship on April 1, 2024
The weekend of March 16th-17th was a very successful one for GVSU Men’s Club Volleyball’s A team. The team traveled to Davenport University for the second round of the Great Lakes Men’s Volleyball conference tournament. Sitting in first place without dropping a single set, the team ended up losing their last match to Bowling Green Saturday night. The Lakers started bracket play Sunday with two large margin wins against Ferris State and Western Michigan. The championship was set for a rematch against Bowling Green. After winning the first set 25-23, the Lakers fell to an eight point deficit to start the second set. After battling back, they dropped the second set 25-21 forcing another three match game. A back and forth battle found the Lakers tied 10-10 in a first to 15 race. A serving run by Greg Janes put them up 14-11. A beautifully placed serve by Jack Norkiewicz finished off with a block from Paden Rousseau gave the laker men’s club volleyball team their first conference championship since 2017.
The Laker Men’s Volleyball team had multiple award recipients for all conference honors. First team all-conference team included junior setter Jacob Fiandalo, senior middle blocker Paden Rousseau and freshman middle blocker Michael Uldrych. Both graduate students Greg Janes and Sam Szarowicz earned second team for outside hitter. AJ Zanders, Easton Upton, and Mack Tyrell earned honorable mention awards.
Special shoutout to all the parents who bring food, drinks, and endless support to our team as well as our friends. The success of this program would not be possible without them, our coaches, and club sports.
We look forward to trying to repeat next year!
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Men's Volleyball
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Permanent link for Men's Club Volleyball Wins GLMVC Conference Championship on April 1, 2024.
Permanent link for Rising Resilience: Grand Valley State University Club Wrestlers Show Out at 2024 NCWA National Championships on March 20, 2024
The wrestlers representing Grand Valley State University displayed an
impressive blend of determination and skill during the 2024 NCWA
National Championships held at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in
Shreveport, Louisiana, from March 14 to March 16, 2024. Despite
encountering formidable opponents from renowned collegiate wrestling
programs nationwide, the GVSUWC athletes exhibited unmatched
resilience and prowess. Their performance highlighted their profound
devotion to the sport and the university, evident in their steadfast
determination and unyielding quest for achievement. As they navigated
through demanding matches, each member of the GVSU Wrestling Club
exemplified the culmination of extensive training and preparation,
garnering recognition and respect for their exceptional performance on
this esteemed national platform.
In a gripping match against Alexandria Green from Texas State
University, 116-pound wrestler Isobel Wharff displayed her skills,
engaging in a fierce battle until the 3:41 mark, ending with Green
securing the victory. However, Wharff's determination remained
unwavering as she prepared for her next challenge against Angelina
Walker from Ottawa - Arizona. Despite a valiant effort, Wharff faced a
quick defeat, with Walker claiming victory in just 17 seconds.
"In moments like these, we witness the essence of our team's
ethos: show up, be prepared, and understand that every match begins at
0-0," said Head Coach Ryan Lancaster. "Isobel exemplified
this spirit in her recent encounters. Against Green, she engaged in a
gripping battle, showcasing her skills until the final buzzer. Every
match presents an opportunity to score bonus points, not just on the
scoreboard, but in character and grit."
In the 125-pound
weight class, Zack Koenig of GVSUWC exhibited exceptional prowess,
navigating a series of challenging matchups with remarkable skill.
Koenig started his campaign with a dominant technical fall victory
over Gabriel Matamoros of Rutgers WC, followed by another impressive
triumph against Brennan Garate-Flores of Pacific Lutheran. Continuing
his winning streak, Koenig secured a major decision victory over Luis
Barajas of Grays Harbor, showcasing his tactical proficiency on the
mat. In a closely contested about against Joseph Jimenez of Sacramento
State, Koenig demonstrated his resilience and determination, clinching
a hard-fought decision victory to advance further in the tournament.
Despite facing a formidable opponent in Dominic Ciolli of Ohio State,
Koenig displayed unwavering determination and fought bravely,
ultimately falling short but leaving an indelible mark with his
stellar performance.
Coach Lancaster said, "Zack's journey through a series of
challenging matchups showcased his remarkable skill and unwavering
commitment to our team's philosophy. Each victory, whether by
technical fall or a hard-fought decision, underscored Koenig's
tactical proficiency on the mat and his resilience in the face of
adversity."
The GVSUWC's Maria Potrero also left her mark on
the tournament, engaging in intense bouts that showcased her talent
and tenacity. Potrero faced off against formidable opponents such as
Marinthia Mendoza from Grays Harbor and Carly Manning from Clemson.
Despite experiencing both victory and defeat, Potrero demonstrated
resilience and a fighting spirit that echoed throughout the
tournament. One of the standout moments for Potrero was her match
against Manning, where she dominated the mat, securing victory in 5
minutes and 26 seconds.
"Win or lose, she exemplified our core values, demonstrating
resilience and a relentless fighting spirit. Her decisive victory over
Manning was a defining moment for her and our entire team," said
Coach Lancaster.
Jack Sherman, representing GVSUWC in the 157-pound weight class,
also performed remarkably throughout the tournament. Sherman kicked
off his campaign with a commanding technical fall victory over Dominic
Acosta of Central Florida, setting the tone for his subsequent
matches. He continued his winning streak with a dominant major
decision win against Brady Bollander of James Madison, showcasing his
technical proficiency and strategic prowess on the mat. Despite facing
a setback against Keaton Fischer of West Chester in a closely
contested about, Sherman bounced back with an emphatic pinfall victory
over Clay Queen of Lyon, displaying his resilience and determination.
He followed it up with another impressive pinfall victory against
Anthony Colavito of Montclair State, further solidifying his
reputation as a formidable competitor. Despite facing a tough opponent
in Mitchell Helgert of Washington State, Sherman fought valiantly but
ultimately fell short, concluding his campaign with a commendable performance.
"From his commanding technical fall victory over Acosta to
his dominant major decision win against Bollander, Sherman displayed
skill and a strategic finesse that set him apart. Even in facing
setbacks, like his closely contested about against Fischer, Sherman
exhibited resilience, bouncing back with emphatic pinfall victories
over his opponents," said Lancaster.
The final standings at the Nationals reflected the culmination of
months of arduous training and unwavering dedication. West Chester
emerged victorious with a narrow lead, followed by Ohio State WC and
Clemson. However, the GVSUWC's remarkable journey captivated the
attention of wrestling enthusiasts. With a total score of 15.5 points,
the GVSUWC claimed a notable 16th position. While the team didn't
clinch the top spot, its performance underscored the talent and
resilience ingrained within its ranks.
"The GVSUWC adheres staunchly to our fundamental principles:
show up, be prepared, score bonus points, and remember the score is
always 0-0. Jack and Zack's commendable 4-2 record at Nationals
exemplifies our commitment to these principles. Though not atop the
leaderboard, the final standings reflect the culmination of months of
relentless training and unwavering dedication. While West Chester
ultimately seized victory with a narrow lead, our 16th position
underscores our team's undeniable prowess and resilience," said Lancaster.
The GVSUWC demonstrated impressive perseverance and resolve at
the 2024 NCWA National Championships. Their outstanding performance
underscored the result of extensive preparation, unwavering
commitment, and a relentless pursuit of greatness. Every wrestler gave
their utmost effort, reflecting the team's embodiment of sportsmanship
and unity, garnering respect from spectators and opponents. As the
event concluded, the GVSUWC emerged as a dominant force, illustrating
the resilience and enthusiasm characteristic of collegiate wrestling.
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Wrestling
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Permanent link for Rising Resilience: Grand Valley State University Club Wrestlers Show Out at 2024 NCWA National Championships on March 20, 2024.
Permanent link for Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club Shines at 2024 NCWA Great Lakes Conference Championship on March 13, 2024
The wrestling warriors of Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club etched their legacy into the annals of the 2024 NCWA Great Lakes Conference Championship, a riveting spectacle hosted on March 2 at the hallowed grounds of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. The GVSUWC Lakers unleashed their determination on the rugged mat, earning themselves coveted spots in the upcoming NCWA National Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana, slated for March 14.
GVSUWC's femme fatales, 18th-ranked Isobel Wharff and 13th-ranked Maria Potrero ascended the podium with uncontested conference titles in their weight classes: Wharff in the 116-pound category and Potrero commanding at 143 pounds. Their triumph set an unyielding precedent, casting a formidable shadow over the competition.
On the men's battlefield, the journey through the tournament was a tapestry woven with intense clashes and unyielding competition. 16th-ranked Zack Koenig, grappling in the 125-pound weight class, fought valiantly to secure a 4th-place finish, showcasing a resilience that echoed through each pulse-pounding match.
Koenig's odyssey included a quarterfinal conquest over Alex Needham from the University of Dubuque, followed by a hard-fought semifinal duel with Damian Ryan from Bellarmine University. Ultimately, Koenig clinched fourth after a nail-biting third-place skirmish against Dominic Ciolli from The Ohio State University.
Climbing the ladder, number one ranked Jack Sherman, the undisputed ruler of the 157-pound category, showcased his mat mastery. Despite putting up Herculean battles every round, Sherman finished fourth after facing a gauntlet of formidable opponents. His saga featured a commanding triumph over Logan Brown from Thomas More University in the championship's opening round, only to be met with a quarterfinal setback against Jake Gooding from Ohio State University.
Though he rallied with victories in the consolation bracket, a fierce third-place match against Gooding ended in a brutal defeat for Sherman. Anthony Coleman and Brandon Khnanisho, GVSUWC's representatives in the 235-pound class, personified determination and skill. Coleman grappled his way to a commendable 4th place finish, while Khnanisho, despite finishing 8th, showcased unwavering grit and commitment.
Coleman's quest included a swift triumph over Ethan Hrynkow from Ohio State University in the quarterfinals, followed by a semifinal tussle with Joseph Pineda from the University of Dubuque. A triumphant rebound in the consolation bracket against Gavin Wurm from Ohio State University preceded a fourth-place finish after a closely contested third-place showdown against Jacob Meek from the University of Toledo.
Khnanisho faced an uphill battle, losing in the quarterfinals to Pineda from the University of Dubuque and then to Hrynkow from Ohio State University in the consolation bracket. Despite the challenges, Khnanisho's journey illuminated his unwavering determination on the mat.
Head coach Ryan Lancaster beamed with pride: "We're incredibly proud of our wrestler's performances at the Great Lakes Conference. The caliber of competition, with teams like Bellarmine and Thomas More, speaks volumes. Despite the challenges, our athletes showcased skill, determination, and resilience. Qualifying all six wrestlers for the NCWA National Championships is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We're excited to continue our journey and prepare for the upcoming competition."
With all six Grand Valley State University Wrestling Club warriors clinching spots at the NCWA National Championships, the team now sets its sights on an arduous preparation regimen. As they hone their skills and devise strategies for the national stage, the GVSUWC wrestlers aspire to carve their names into the wrestling pantheon, bringing glory and honor to their university.
Permanent link for Friday's Spring Break Blogs at Clemson on March 11, 2024
Amelia Paulin
Today was the last day of our training trip in Clemson! It was a little cloudy with some rain, which was a nice break from the hot weather all week. Today, practice was in some small boats. This was our first time doing small boats all of break, so it was a much needed change of pace! I was in the Marco, a pair, and bow coxed. Other boats that were in our fleet were 2 other pairs, a double, and a single! Practice started off pretty chill as I took us across one of the race courses doing our warmup in order to get to the correct side of the lake. Then, we were notified that our coach’s launch was broken so we had to go with a women’s 8 for a bit! We followed the 8 into a little cove/island area that was around 6k away. At this fun little new spot, we did some drills in order to work on balance and togetherness. To start off, we did 3 bobs for timing, 3 bobs at arms away for balance, and 3 bobs at the pivot point for more balance. We successfully completed those, and it was time to turn around and row back in order to load the trailer.
On the way back I had to play a little bit of minefield, as I had to dodge huge trees left and right. Then, to end practice off we did a 30 stroke burst at a high rate and took it then. After taking it in, we loaded the trailer. And to end the week off, the coaches got the whole team pizza. Yum!!
Josh Scotto
Hello! My name is Josh Scotto and today was the final day of our spring break training trip! We started off with an early morning at 5:50-6am after pressing snooze a couple times. After getting dressed for the day and going downstairs to stretch and walk on the treadmill I had a sizable breakfast of a plate of eggs and potatoes, double portion of oatmeal, a banana muffin, and two slices of toast.
Moving to the water, while I had rowed the past couple days I decided to give my lower back a break and stay on land and de-rig/clean up the beach with a fellow teammate Reilly Forbes so the team could leave earlier. Taking about 2 hours to pack everything up onto the trailer after everyone docked we finally got on the road for home!
While most of the ride home was uneventful, there were a few fun moments. After about 13-15 hours on the road, shotgunning roughly 6 hours, and driving roughly 6 hours, we finally made it to Lot J where we unpacked the van and said our goodbyes while I waited for some of the other vans to get back to the lot. Unfortunately with limited sleep the next morning we went to return the lovely vans to Enterprise, then I went home and slept for another 6 hours and am just now finishing this blog!
Nikolai Stroemme
To start the day, I woke up to the sound of the favorite apple alarm. I proceeded to pack up everything I didn't need for the day then went down for the hotel breakfast. There was very little food as Temple ate most of it. We then packed up the vans and made our way down to the boat dock. once we arrived, me, Robbie, Tyler, Ryan, and Valley set up our 4 and made our way to the race course to start our AT day. It was 3 split up 2ks and we had tons of fun doing a proper start and racing the course. After we finished the AT, we came into the dock to de rig the boats and load up the trailer. Once that was done we had a pizza party on the beach then took a group photo to commemorate this spring break. Now we are doing the 15 hour drive back to the campus to sleep and eat.
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Rowing
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Permanent link for Friday's Spring Break Blogs at Clemson on March 11, 2024.
Permanent link for Thursday's Spring Break Blogs at Clemson on March 11, 2024
Ellie Mulder
Hello laker nation! Today is Thursday, March 7 and I started my day bright and early around 7:30am. After a delicious hotel breakfast consisting of yogurt, granola, and many muffins, we headed to Lake Hartwell for our morning practice. I sat port 5 in our new varsity women’s 8 called the Laker Legacy. This boat is easily the most comfortable boat I’ve ever rowed in my 7 years with this sport! This morning, we focused on finding a consistent balance throughout all 8 seats to glide through the water. We also focused on timing on the back end with arm and back swing in time with stroke seat. I had some strong improvements on my shoulder placement and “arms-out” timing. After practice, we freshened up and headed to downtown Clemson for a pizza lunch and smoothie bowl dessert! With satisfied stomachs, we headed to Clemson University’s geology museum. We had loads of fun checking out the luminescent minerals exhibit and taking pictures outside in the flower-filled fields. After we returned to the hotel and grabbed a quick nap, it was time for evening practice! Tonight we scrimmaged head-to-head against Clemson University’s club team. Though we suffered a pretty tough defeat, we learned a lot about how we can improve and what we need to focus on next. Personally, I’m gonna focus on maintaining a strong and tall posture even when I’m tired. Ice cream at Andees’s ice cream shop in downtown Clemson rounded out my last full day here in South Carolina! Tomorrow’s our last practice and I hope it goes well! Thanks for reading!
Aiden Miller
Today started just like the others on spring break. I woke up early to get a nice hotel breakfast in; consisting of a questionable omelet, cereal, a bagel with peanut butter and apple butter (a personal favorite of mine), and a banana. After scarfing down breakfast and talking with President Eliot Van Pelt I went and got ready for practice.
Practice this morning was a nice little steady state which split us varsity men into a 4+ and an 8+. I was placed in 3 seat of the 8+ and was coxed by the celebrity coxswain Valley who did amazing :) (shout out Valley). The weather wasn’t quite what we expected today and it was a bit warmer and sunnier out. So I decided to row without my shirt and this caused me to burn - a lot.
After returning to the hotel I went out with some of my friends (Joe, Miles, Michael, Amelia, and Anna) to get some Sully Steamers which is a bagel sandwich place in Clemson. I got the blonde which is basically just a turkey sandwich on a bagel. After eating that incredibly sauced up sandwich (in like -5 seconds) we went to some shops to get some Clemson gear. Although we settled on a Goodwill for some of the best deals around. I got 4 shirts for $6 so that’s a huge success in my book.
Once back to the hotel the PM practice was a bit weird since the women had to leave later because of a scrimmage. So the men all got stuffed into vans and went off to practice. Once again we were joined by Valley in the experimental 2V lineup and also joining us were amazing novices Connor, Sean, and Riley. The row started off rough, but ended up turning around and ended as a better row. So I’m looking forward to rowing with this lineup :).
Afterwards the men sped off to the dining hall to eat some pork, mashed potatoes, and mixed veggies. Also had some ice cream and two cookies for dessert. There was also this Oreo pudding that everyone was going crazy for, but I didn’t see the hype. Also at dinner the winner of the talent show was announced and that was Ellie (Lil E) and her sick rap of Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys (rightfully so, that was pretty sick).
We then returned to the hotel and I played some Yukre with some teammates (I blundered that game hard). Then I went off to Cookout with the same group as before but minus Miles. Overall a very good day. Loving everyday I get to spend with my friends and teammates. Have a great day everyone :)
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Permanent link for Thursday's Spring Break Blogs at Clemson on March 11, 2024.
Permanent link for Mastering the rowing stroke and a hike to a waterfall with an afternoon off on March 7, 2024
Reilly Forbes
Welcome back to day 5 in Clemson! I started off my day with morning practice in the cold and rainy weather, but we made the most of it. I was coxing the varsity women in the Ring,4+, and we took it out for a long steady state row. We were working on stationary drills to really nail down our catch timings and overall boat set. We then took it for a long row, adding in pauses throughout the stroke to match up body positions. We wrapped up our rainy morning practice with some rate work, working on shifting to higher or lower rates efficiently. Overall, a very productive practice.
Today was our afternoon off day so the team took advantage of our free time from rowing to partake in another physical activity, a hike! A large portion of the team made a trip to Yellow Branch Falls and hiked to a large waterfall that we got to climb around on and swim in. The hike wasn’t too hard but because of the rain, it was very slick and muddy making it a little more difficult but entertaining to watch everyone try and navigate the trails in the mud.
We came back from the hike and relaxed for a few hours before heading to Southern Wesleyan University where we had dinner. Tonight's dinner was brisket and mac n’ cheese and it really hit the spot after a long day full of a large variety of activities. My day began to come to an end with an eboard meeting at the hotel after dinner where the executive board had their monthly meeting going through everything that they had been working on and what their next projects were. I hung out with some of my teammates in the lobby after the meeting before heading up to my room to wind down for bed and watching part of a movie before heading off to bed to get some much needed rest for another exciting day in Clemson tomorrow.
Kyle Emerson
Today started as the past few have: wake up at 7:30am, go downstairs for breakfast, go back up to the room to get dressed for practice (my uni and rain jacket since it was drizzling this morning), then get to the practice site by 9:00am. I was in the pair (The Marco-Pitzer) with Mr. Aiden Miller and we went on to do quite a bit of steady state with drills in some rather wet conditions, but we made the most out of it anyway. At 11:00am, morning practice was done, and we returned to the hotel. Many of the varsity and novice men went to a pizza place across the street from the hotel called Your Pie. That was some of the best pizza for the price that I have ever had, and with the best company anyone could ask for. As someone who has experienced three spring breaks with the team, there is always one thing that I especially look forward to: the day hike. Two years ago I did this exact hike that took us to this incredible waterfall, but this time, I was able to explore up to the top and even further up the stream which the waterfall connected. Because of the rain, it was still muddy and if I had a dollar for everytime I nearly ate mud on my way to and from the waterfall, I could have paid off my dues, but that’s what makes you feel alive and was a good use of the rest of the day until dinner. It was BBQ at the Southern Wesleyan University dining hall which consisted of mac and cheese, pulled pork, mixed veggies, and french fries (finished with a little bit of ice cream). The rest of the night consisted of going to do laundry with a couple other rowers then heading to bed. Tomorrow we’ll be back on the water at 9:00am in the men’s Varsity 8+ (Featuring the Lubbers).
Tyler Jacobs
The day started off dark and rainy. I woke up pretty early to avoid the morning rush so that I could make myself a waffle and not have to wait in a 20 minute line for it. Like on other mornings. I was a little hesitant if we would still be able to go on a hike later in the day due to all the rain, but the forecast showed the weather clearing up around noon so I tried not to worry about it too much.
When practice rolled around it was still rainey, but the good news was that it was our only practice for the day. The novice men took out an 8 with one seat empty. We mostly just did drill work. Towards the end of practice Coach Trevor came up with a friendly competition for us novices. Whoever could keep their blade in the water for the longest would win and I was able to win.
After practice I took off the wet clothes I had on and put on some dry clothes. I then ran across the street to Subway for lunch. I’ve gone there so many times on this trip the lady behind the counter at this point knows who I am and what I'm going to order.
There was some debate on what time we should leave for the hike so we eventually just decided as a team to split into two groups and leave at separate times. I decided to go with the first group. When we got to the park I was very impressed. We were the only ones there so we had the whole place to ourselves. The trail we walked on was muddy, but still a cool, neat long trail. I was the first one to make it to the waterfall and I thought it looked absolutely gorgeous. My brain immediately started to think of ways of how I could climb up it. I took off my shoes and began my journey to the top of the waterfall. Anytime I pulled myself up I made sure my hand had a good grip on whatever I was holding onto so that I wouldn't fall to my death. After about 10 to 20 minutes of climbing I was eventually happy with how high I was so I decided to climb back down. As I was getting ready to leave the 2nd group was arriving. At that moment I just decided to stay because I just loved the environment I was in and assumed that another van could take me home. Some of the varsity members started to go on a hidden path on the side of the waterfall. I was curious so I followed them and to my surprise it led to the top of the waterfall. When I got to the top I felt like the king of the world. The view was breathtaking. I climbed inside the waterfall and had a mini panic attack due to the water pressure and it being hard to breath for a couple seconds but I got over it. After hours of exploring we eventually had to head back. The trail back to the parking lot was about half an hour away, but me and some other people decided to run so we shaved at least 15 minutes off the time. I got put in a van with 6 other people so I was squeezed in there. The hike was definitely my favorite part of the trip so far. I just loved the location and scenery. It all felt so surreal. The only negative was all of my clothes were wet, muddy and cold.
Once I got dropped off back at the hotel I took a quick shower and then quickly put whatever I had laying around on and headed towards my van to take me to the food place. I surprisingly wasn’t that hungry, but I still had a decent amount of food and made sure that I didn’t waste anything.
When I got back to the hotel I took a proper shower because I wasn’t rushed. To close things out for the day, I relaxed in bed working on editing some videos on my computer and watching some youtube. Overall today was definitely my favorite day because I love exploring and wandering and when I was by the waterfall I got to take all of that to a whole new level.
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