GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its awards following the fifth week of competition of the 2025 outdoor track & field season. Selected for recognition were Grand Valley State graduate student Scott Spaanstra (men's track), Grand Valley State junior Destini Dorkins (women's track), Grand Valley State junior Jaivon Harrison (men's field) and Grand Valley State senior Erika Beistle (women's field).
MEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Scott Spaanstra, Grand Valley State
Scott Spaanstra has been named the GLIAC men’s track athlete of the week for the first time in his career following his performance at Grand Valley State’s Extra Weekend Meet. Spaanstra ran in the men’s 800m this past weekend and shattered his four-year personal-best with a 1:48.81 finish. Despite finishing third in the 800m, Spaanstra moved to number two in GVSU program history with his sub 1:49.00 finish. His new best was the fourth-best time of the week (April 22 – 28) through all divisions of the NCAA. The senior currently holds the number 10 spot in NCAA Division II, qualifying him for national competition in just under one month.
WOMEN'S TRACK ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Destini Dorkins, Grand Valley State
For the first time this season, Destini Dorkins has received track athlete of the week honors. Dorkins competed in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles events at the GVSU Weekend Meet this past Saturday. For the third consecutive week, the junior updated her 100m hurdles record, this time by more than 0.15 seconds. Dorkins finished at 14.11 to finish second in the event. Her finish ranks her eighth in Grand Valley State program history and currently puts her at 11th in NCAA Division II (all-conditions).
MEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Jaivon Harrison, Grand Valley State
For the third time this season, Jaivon Harrison has received GLIAC men’s field athlete of the week honors. The senior competed at the 2025 Drake Relays this past weekend in the Men’s Championship High Jump. Harrison began competition at the 2.10m (6-10.75) mark, clearing the height on his second attempt. He easily cleared the next mark, 2.14m (7-0.25), on his first attempt. He then passed the next height to attempt a season-best 2.21m (7-3), which he cleared on his second attempt. His 2.21m height ranked him second in the event, tying the first-place mark but falling on the count back. Harrison’s mark ties him for sixth in the NCAA across all divisions.
WOMEN'S FIELD ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Erika Beistle, Grand Valley State
Rodney, Michigan native Erika Beistle has, yet again, been named the GLIAC women’s field athlete of the week. More than halfway through the season, Beistle finally recorded a shot put mark that met her standards. She threw for 16.00m (52-6) at this weekend’s GVSU Extra Weekend Meet. Her strength didn’t stop at shot put, however, as she recorded a near-PR in discus, as well. Beistle recorded a 62.25m (214-1) mark in the event, effectively putting her at first in the weekly rankings (April 22 – 28) across all NCAA divisions. Beistle now holds the number three spot in shot put and number one spot in discus in NCAA DII. In terms of national rankings (all divisions), the Laker is ranked second in discus.
