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XC Men's Results
XC Women's Results
XC Photo Gallery
 
Sept. 13, 2024, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams had another fantastic outing in it's second competition of the season on Friday, with both teams placing first among all junior colleges. Meanwhile, back in Livonia, the women's soccer team suffered a 4-0 loss to No. 9 ranked Schoolcraft College.  The softball team was also in action, dropping 5-2 and 3-2 decisions to Lansing Community College. 

Women's XC Recap

Friday's race featured 108 runners from seven four-year schools and seven junior colleges.  GRCC (122) finished fourth overall, but was nearly 100 points better than the second best junior college, Muskegon Community College (218).  Individually, the Raiders had the top four runners among all junior colleges. 

Calvin University (36) would the meet by just one point over Kalamazoo College (37) and Aquinas College was third with a score of 51.

All eight GRCC runners set season bests including freshman Chloe Rooks who was two minutes and 38 seconds better than her first race of her college career.  

Sophomore's Elicia Land (15th place, 19:40) and Anna Tubbergen (18th place, 20:00) led the pack for the second straight week, while freshmen Gloria Gaston (24th place, 20:21) and Olivia Lemke (29th place, 20:30) were not far behind.  Sophomore Mariana Zaragoza finished in 62nd place with a time of 21:44 in her first meet of the year.

Freshman Estelle Rockhold (83rd, 23:46), sophomore Emily Adamy (92nd, 25:05) and Rooks (99th, 26:16) rounded out the Raider runners.

Men's XC Recap

GRCC finished fifth overall, and just two points higher than Hope College, but was 46 points better than the second best junior college in the race.  Aquinas College would run away with the title with a perfect score of 15, after finishing 1 through 9 in the race.

Coach's comments after all 11 of his runner's ran season bests:

"We were very happy with our progression this week.  With only two returners and nine incomers, things are progressing in the direction that we want.  Isaac Skinner (28th, 27:54) led the way with a very strong kick at the end.  Joseph VanderKooi (30th, 27:55) was fantastic as well, finishing just a second behind Skinner.  John DiPiazza (42nd, 28:40) is just coming into his stride so I'm looking forward to him continually place as one of our front runners.  After dropping out of the last race, it was great to Nate Fahey (48th, 28:50) get his first collegiate score on the board.  Rounding out our top five was returnee Austin Winkle (60th, 29:21), and as always he ran very consistent and moved his way up throughout the entire race."

Dannion Simmet (63rd, 29:35), newcomer Reece Ondersma (66th, 29:39), Sam Pugh (68th, 29:41), Micah Nagel (72nd, 29:59), Haegan Land (79th, 30:39) and Sam Spoors (38:18) rounded out the Raiders runners. 

"Overall, I'm very pleased with my team as they packed up and worked really well together throughout the entire race.  Excited to keep our season moving on the right path as we have two more races in a row, including the conference championship next Friday at Lansing."

Softball Recap
    
GRCC jumped out to early leads in both games, but dropped a 5-2 and 3-2 decision to Lansing Community College.

In game one, Lansing's three-run homer in the 4th inning proved to be the difference.  The Raiders Macey Springer and Lilly Klop combined to give up eight hits while striking out four.  Klop also added one of the GRCC's four hits; an RBI single in the sixth.

In the nightcap, Abby Vandenberg and Violet McWhinnie both had RBI singles in the first inning, but that's all the runs the Raiders would earn.  Lansing forced extra innings with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, and then got a sac-fly in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory.

Freshman Kalani Stowe took the loss despite a fantastic game, allowing no runs and two hits, while striking out three.  Natalee Beck also pitched two strong innings for GRCC, allowing just one hit while also striking out three.

The Raiders next doubleheader is this Sunday at Grand Valley State with a 10am start time. 

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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.