GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the first week of competition of the 2026-27 swimming & diving season. Grand Valley State swept the awards, with Mahmoud Abdelkarim (men's swimming), Anna Szofia Nagy (women's swimming), Vlad Balkin (men's diving) and Kiya Bowman (women's diving) earning honors.
MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Mahmoud Abdelkarim, Grand Valley State
In his second season at Grand Valley, Junior Mahmoud Abdelkarim (Cairo, Egypt/Lewis University) was named GLIAC Male Swimmer of the Week for the first time in his career. During day one of the GVSU Invite, he finished first in the 200 free relay (1:19.46 - third leg), second in the 50 free (19.61), and first in the 400 medley relay (3:12.47 - first leg). On the following day at day two of the invite, he placed second in the 200 medley relay (1:27.18 - first leg), first in the 100 backstroke (47.74), second in the 100 free (43.86), and finally he finished first in the 400 free relay (2:55.11) to close out the invite.
WOMEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Anna Szofia Nagy, Grand Valley State
In her freshman year with Grand Valley, Anna Szofia Nagy (Gyor, Hungary / Kazinczy Ferenc High School) earned GLIAC Female Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her career. On the first day of the GVSU Invite, Anna finished first in the 200 breast (2:04.30). On Invite day two, she placed first in the 400 IM (4:27.17), fifth in the 1000 free (10:27.46), and seventh in the 400 free relay (3:35.79 - fourth leg).
MEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Vlad Balkin, Grand Valley State
Freshman Vlad Balkin earned his first career GLIAC Male Diver of the Week honor following his performance at the GVSU Invite. At GVSU Invite day one, he placed third at three meters (321.10) and on day two, he was the winner at one meter (305.30).
WOMEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Kiya Bowman, Grand Valley State
Completing the Lakers’ sweep of the four GLIAC weekly honors, Kiya Bowman (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Kalamazoo Central High School) earned her first GLIAC Female Diver of the Week in her first year with Grand Valley. On the first day of the GVSU Invite, Kiya was the winner at one meter (255.75) and fourth at three meters (247.40) on day two.
