GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its awards following the fourth week of competition of the 2025 outdoor track & field season. Selected for recognition were Grand Valley State redshirt freshman Owen Westerkamp (men's track), Grand Valley State senior Maria Mitchell (women's track), Grand Valley State redshirt senior Colton Emeott (men's field) and Grand Valley State senior Kaylee Diamond (women's field).
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Owen Westerkamp, Grand Valley State
Red-shirt freshman Owen Westerkamp has earned GLIAC men’s outdoor track athlete of the week after recording two personal-best finishes at the 2025 Bryan Clay Invitational. Westerkamp competed in the 3000m steeplechase and 1500m on his California-cation. He began the week with an 8:49.42 finish in the steeplechase, crossing the finish line second in his heat and 13th overall. His time currently ranks him eighth in NCAA DII. He continued competition with the 1500m, finishing fifth in his heat at 3:44.85 – the 16th-fastest in DII. His impact doesn’t stop there; Westerkamp’s finishes in the steeplechase and 1500m rank him second and third in Grand Valley State program history, respectively.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Maria Mitchell, Grand Valley State
Maria Mitchell was named GLIAC women’s outdoor track athlete of the week following her electric performances at last week’s Bryan Clay Invitational (Azusa, Calif.). The senior competed in the 3000m steeplechase and 1500m events, recording personal-bests in both. Mitchell crossed the finish line second in the steeplechase at a personal-best time of 10:12.92, currently the third-fastest in NCAA Division II (DII). Two days later, Mitchell finished third in her heat in the 1500m at a record time of 4:24.08, putting her at 17
th in NCAA DII. Both of her finishes went down in Grand Valley State history. Her steeplechase time ranks her second in program history and her 1500m finish ranks ninth.
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Colton Emeott, Grand Valley State
Following a season-best mark in pole vault, Colton Emeott has been named GLIAC men’s outdoor field athlete of the week. Coming in at 4.81m (15-9.25), Emeott cleared the mark on his third attempt before clearing the 4.91m (16-1.25) height with ease. He proceeded to the 5.01m (16-5.25) mark, only taking two attempts to clear the height. In doing so, he recorded a season-best and took first in the event. Emeott is currently ranked 16
th in NCAA DII.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Kaylee Diamond, Grand Valley State
Kaylee Diamond does it again. The junior-transfer has been named GLIAC women’s outdoor field athlete of the week following her mark at the GVSU Al Owens Classic. Diamond competed in high jump on Saturday afternoon alongside 14 other student-athletes. The only athlete remaining, she opened at 1.73m (5-8), clearing the height on her second attempt. Diamond now ranks third in program history and is currently number seven in NCAA DII.
