| Box Score 3
XC Men's Results
XC Women's Results
Soccer Box Score
 
Aug. 30, 2024, GOODELLS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams had fantastic outings in it's first competition of the season on Friday, with the men's team coming in third place and the women's team bringing home the title. Meanwhile, back in Grand Rapids, the men's soccer team suffered a 3-2 loss to Aquinas College. 

Women's XC Recap

The early start, the humidity, hot temps and rough race course with many sharp turns were not the most favorable conditions for everyone's first race of the season, but the Raiders would prevail, defeating all 12 (completed) teams in the field. GRCC's team score of 60 was six points better than the host school, St. Clair County Community College who finished as the runners-up. 

Four GRCC runners finished inside the top 10 of 95 runners in the field. 

Sophomore's Elicia Land (fourth place, 20:31) and Anna Tubbergen (fifth place, 20:43) led the pack while freshmen Glorida Gaston (seventh place, 21:01) and Olivia Lemke (eighth place, 21:16) were not far behind.  It was Land's first time defeating Tubbergen, the All-American a year ago.

Coach Sharon Becker wasn't surprised by Land's success. "After last season, Elicia continued to train all winter and spring.  Some days she would get her workouts done at 7:00 am with some of the men's cross country team.  She continuously raced indoor and outdoor track races, making her a much stronger and wiser runner this season."

Freshman Estelle Rockhold (38th, 24:28), sophomore Emily Adamy (47th, 25:07) and freshman Chloe Rooks (75th, 28:54) rounded out the Raider runners.

"I'm so proud of the ladies today.  I am excited to coach these women because they work so hard, want to become better, speak positive, and are helpful teammates that care about each other.  I'm looking forward to an unforgettable and memorable season."

Men's XC Recap

With just two returners and eight newcomers, head coach Rob Hyde was very pleased to finish in third place out of 16 teams. St. Clair County Community College won the meet, followed by Mott Community College.

"Today we were led by Joseph VanderKooi, one of my co-team captains," Hyde said.  "Our top pack keyed off of Joseph for his leadership and experience.  He was able to lead our team with a 7th place finish with a time of 28:44.  Isaac Skinner really moved up the entire race and also finished in the top ten, just two seconds behind Joseph.  Coming in third for our team was Sam Pugh (30th, 30:21), another first year runner, who ran an almost perfectly even pace throughout.  Fourth was John DiPiazza (33rd, 30:31) who originally started with Joseph, was unable to hold that original pace, but rallied when Sam caught up to him.  Rounding out our top-5 was Austin Winkle, our second returner on the team.  Austin (41st, 31:04) showed his experience as he started the race at a good pace and was able to work his way up to our last scoring fifth position."

Freshmen Micah Nagel (42nd, 31:07), Dannion Simmet (52nd, 31:32), Haegan Land (78th, 35:46) and Sam Spoors (51:34) rounded out the Raiders runners. 

Pugh was honored by his teammates by being voted the runner of the day.  He is now in possession of the golden baton that he will hand on to the next recipient at the next race.

"Overall, a decent start to our season, knowing that we have a lot of growth and learn to get better throughout the year. Our focus moving forward will be building onto our successes of the first meet and correcting any errors that may have occurred. I'm exited to see what we can do once all ten athletes are running at their best and have a few more races under their belts."

Men's Soccer Recap
    
GRCC's soccer team dropped to 0-2 on the season after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Aquinas College. Aquinas would get on board first, three minutes into the second half. In the 57th minute, GRCC's Sean Gieske tied the game after a penalty kick goal.  The Raiders would then take the lead in the 75th minute after a rebound goal by sophomore Elijah Maas.  Aquinas responded though with two quick goals at the 78th and 79th minute of the game. 

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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics?  All donations can be done through GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to, such as the Hofmann scholarship. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email grccathletics@grcc.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.