JUNE 14, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College Athletics continued its tradition of excellence during the 2025-26 academic year, producing championship teams, national qualifiers, All-Americans, conference award winners, milestone coaching achievements, and one of the most successful overall athletic years in school history.

The Raiders finished third among 24 member institutions in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's prestigious Charlie Chanter All-Sports Trophy standings, recognizing the department's success across all sports throughout the academic year.

From conference championships and national tournament appearances to individual award winners and record-setting performances, Raider student-athletes left their mark throughout the MCCAA, Region XII, and national levels.

"To finish third in the Charlie Chanter All-Sports Trophy standings among 24 institutions is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of the commitment our student-athletes, coaches, and staff make every day," said Director of Athletics Lauren Ferullo. "What makes me most proud is that our success extended across every program. We celebrated championships, national appearances, All-Americans, conference award winners, coaching milestones, and unforgettable moments throughout the year. The future of Raider Athletics is incredibly bright, and we're excited to continue building on this momentum."

Women's Cross Country

The Raiders continued their rise as one of the top programs in the nation, finishing runner-up at both the MCCAA Championship and NJCAA Region XII Championship. GRCC placed seventh at the NJCAA National Championship and 15th at the NJCAA Half Marathon Championship.

Freshman standout Mackenzie Baldrica led the way with a 13th-place finish at the NJCAA National Championship in a field of 321 runners, earning NJCAA Second Team All-American and Coaches Association All-American honors. Baldrica also broke the school record with a time of 18:49 and earned All-Region recognition.

Baldrica, Savannah DiPiazza, and Gloria Gaston were all named All-MCCAA performers.

Men's Cross Country

The men's team mirrored the success of the women's program, earning runner-up finishes at both the MCCAA Championship and NJCAA Region XII Championship.
The Raiders placed 24th at the NJCAA National Championship and 26th at the NJCAA Half Marathon Championship.

Sophomore Isaac Skinner and freshman Corey Jones earned All-MCCAA honors.

Women's Volleyball

One of the nation's premier programs added another remarkable chapter to its history.

The Raiders finished 26-4 overall, captured their 15th conference championship with a perfect 12-0 league record, won their 12th MCCAA Championship and 14th regional title, and finished 2-2 at the NJCAA National Tournament.

Head Coach Chip Will celebrated his 500th career coaching victory while earning Conference Coach of the Year, MCCAA Coach of the Year, and District Coach of the Year honors.

Eight Raiders earned postseason recognition:

• Taylor Kik – Conference Player of the Year (second consecutive season), First Team All-Conference, All-MCCAA, All-Region, and NJCAA All-American for the second straight year.
• Vanessa Walker – First Team All-Conference, All-MCCAA, All-Region, and Conference Freshman of the Year.
• Christina Williams – First Team All-Conference, All-MCCAA, All-Region, and NJCAA All-American.
• Kaylee Kranz – First Team All-Conference, All-MCCAA, All-Region, and Conference All-Freshman Team.
• Kirstyn Lothschultz – Second Team All-Conference and Conference All-Freshman Team.
• Ava Tarsi – Second Team All-Conference.
• Cece Huizingh and Olivia Inthout – All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Women's Soccer

The Raiders posted a 7-7-2 record and achieved one of the most memorable moments in program history, earning the program's first-ever postseason victory with a 1-0 win over Jackson College.
Freshman Nadia Perez scored the game-winning goal and earned Region XII All-Tournament Team honors.

Lanee Lewkowski was named All-Region and Second Team All-MCCAA, while freshmen Skyelar Albrecht, Myah Lapekes, and Linde Clark earned All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition.

Men's Soccer

The Raiders finished 5-8-2 and continued to build momentum under a young roster.

Freshman Leo Tilly emerged as one of the conference's top offensive threats, recording three hat tricks and 20 total points while earning Second Team All-MCCAA honors.

Luke Carroll, Austin Bouma, Brady Fox, and Levi Brumels each received All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition.

Women's Basketball

GRCC posted a 21-9 record and finished second in the conference standings.

Five sophomores received postseason honors:

• Averi Peot – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and Western Conference All-Defensive Team.
• Tianna Daye – Second Team All-Conference for the second consecutive season.
• Harmonie Belton – Third Team All-Conference and Western Conference All-Defensive Team.
• Sophia Wozniak and Emma Picarazzi – All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Men's Basketball

The Raiders finished 20-9 overall and third in the conference standings.

Six players earned postseason recognition:

• EJ Bowman – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and Western Conference Freshman of the Year.
• Nate Keil – Second Team All-Conference.
• Matthew Richards – Third Team All-Conference.
• Zeekeal Jackson and Tyran Thomas – All-Conference Honorable Mention.
• Jared Demoff – Western Conference All-Defensive Team.

Men's Golf

Under first-year head coach Chris Sobieck, the Raiders recorded eight top-three finishes in 13 tournaments and placed third at the Region XII Championship.

Carson Osborn enjoyed a remarkable season, earning MCCAA Player of the Year and All-Region honors while collecting two medalist victories.

Lucas VanMaanen earned All-Region recognition, while Brody Cook also claimed a tournament medalist title during the season.

Baseball

The Raiders captured their fourth consecutive conference championship, finishing 30-14 overall and 22-3 in conference play before placing fourth at the NJCAA Region XII Tournament.

Head Coach Mike Eddington celebrated his 200th career victory and was named Conference Coach of the Year.

Eight Raiders earned postseason honors:

• Peter Heintz – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and All-Region Tournament Team after batting .500 with five home runs during regional play.
• Kyle O'Hearn, Cannon Paul, Kyler Larson – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference.
• AJ Speigl – Second Team All-Conference and Northern Conference All-Freshman Team.
• Landon Terry – Second Team All-Conference.
• Michael Hurlbutt – Second Team All-Conference, Northern Conference All-Freshman Team, and All-Region Tournament Team.
• Jack Lockwood – All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Heintz capped his outstanding career by receiving the MCCAA's highest individual honor, the Dick Shilts Student-Athlete of the Year Award, recognizing excellence in athletics, academics, leadership, and community service.

Softball

The Raiders produced one of the greatest seasons in program history, finishing 42-10, recording the second-most wins in school history, capturing their third conference championship in four years, and advancing to the NJCAA Division II World Series for the first time since 1998.

Head Coach Chuck White earned his 100th career victory and was named District Coach of the Year.

A program-record 13 Raiders received postseason honors:

• Lilly Klop – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference.
• Natalee Beck – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive season.
• Megan Lillie – All-Region, All-MCCAA, First Team All-Conference, and Conference Freshman of the Year after posting a perfect 16-0 record.
• Kalani Stowe – All-MCCAA and First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive season.
• Abbie Critchett and Kenady O'Leary – Second Team All-Conference.
• Grace Salley, Libby VanFleet, Lauren Wiley, Ella Showers, Caitlyn Horvath, Violet McWhinnie and Ava VanderKolk – All-Conference Honorable Mention.

O'Leary, Tia Schone, Lillie, and Stowe were also selected to the Regional All-Tournament Team.

Looking Ahead

The accomplishments of Raider Athletics during the 2025-26 season are not yet complete. Later this month, GRCC student-athletes are expected to add to the department's impressive list of honors when the MCCAA and NJCAA academic award recipients are announced.

For student-athletes interested in becoming part of the Raider tradition, recruiting questionnaires for all GRCC athletic programs are available at:
https://grccraiders.com/sports/2014/9/3/ques.aspx

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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.