GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly awards following the second week of competition of the 2026-27 swimming & diving season. Grand Valley State earned three awards -- Emils Krampe (men's swimming), Vlad Balkin (men's diving) and Kiya Bowman (women's diving) -- while Saginaw Valley State's Lexi Hieber captured women's swimmer of the week honors.
MEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Emils Krampe, Grand Valley State
In his Freshman year with Grand Valley, Emils Krampe (Eiropas Talmacibas Vidusskola) earned his first career GLIAC Male Swimmer of the Week. At the double dual meet against Calvin University and Saginaw State, he placed second overall in the 100 backstroke (47.72), third in the 200 backstroke (1:49.79), and third in the 100 fly (48.67).
WOMEN'S SWIMMER OF THE WEEK: Lexi Hieber, Saginaw Valley State
Lexi Hieber (Wixom, Mich. / Walled Lake Western HS) earned the first GLIAC Swimmer of the Week award of her collegiate career after an impressive performance at the Calvin tri-meet this past weekend. The four-time All-American swept the distance freestyle events, winning the 1,000 in 10:24.30 before returning to take the 500 in 5:03.96.
MEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Vlad Balkin, Grand Valley State
Freshman Vlad Balkin dominated the diving boards against Calvin University and Saginaw Valley State, sweeping both events to secure his second consecutive GLIAC Male Diver of the Week honor. Balkin claimed first place at one meter (340.80) before completing the sweep with another first-place finish at three meters (321.80).
WOMEN'S DIVER OF THE WEEK: Kiya Bowman, Grand Valley State
Similarly to Vlad, Kiya secured her second consecutive GLIAC Female Diver of the Week after another strong performance against Calvin University and Saginaw State. She claimed first place at one meter (280.70) and fourth at three meters (245.85).
