Box Score

SEPT. 4, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Community College cross country teams opened their 2026 seasons Friday at the CMU Jeff Drenth Memorial Invitational in Shepherd, Mich., while the Raiders men's soccer team battled Aquinas College JV to a 1-1 draw in Grand Rapids.

Women's cross country finishes seventh at CMU Invitational

The GRCC women's cross country team placed seventh among nine teams Friday in its season-opening 5K at the CMU Jeff Drenth Memorial Invitational.

The Raiders, who finished seventh at the NJCAA national championships last season, entered the 2026 campaign ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the region in the preseason rankings.

GRCC finished with 187 points. Host Central Michigan University won the team competition with 25 points, finishing 25 points ahead of runner-up Western Michigan University. The first five teams all were representing four-year universities.

Freshman Mackenzie Conner of Jenison led the Raiders in her collegiate debut, placing 40th overall in 20 minutes, 15 seconds. NJCAA All-American Mackenzie Baldrica, who finished 13th individually at nationals last season, followed in 43rd at 20:33.

GRCC's other finishers included:

• Vivian Idziak, 50th — 21:15

• Binti Abdi, 60th — 21:42

• Suzannah DiPiazza, 66th — 22:00

• Leah Williams, 69th — 22:25

• Kadie Norman, 74th — 22:34

• Freshman Kailey Mann of Byron Center, 81st — 23:27

• Caroline Lopez-Lopez, 96th — 28:21

Head coach Sharon Becker said the opening race provided the team with valuable lessons, even when individual performances did not go exactly as planned.

"Some of the athletes were hoping they ran a better race, felt better during the race or that the race had a better outcome for themselves. But most of our team was able to name one or two things in which they were grateful from the race," Becker said.

Becker said the team's ability to support one another was one of the biggest positives to come out of the season opener.

"Our team worked together before, during and after the race to support each other. Our team learned more about each other, themselves and how to better handle challenges that occur on race day and in the race," Becker said. "I'm so happy with the athletes on our team. We are so lucky to all be able to be here together to face our challenges this season!"

Men's cross country opens with three runners

The GRCC men also competed in the 5K at the CMU Jeff Drenth Memorial Invitational, but the Raiders did not have enough runners to qualify for the team standings.

GRCC brought three runners to the season opener, while 85 athletes competed in the men's race. Host Central Michigan won the team competition with 28 points.

Sophomore Brady Morrow led the Raiders, finishing 28th overall in 16:43. Sophomore Corey Jones, an All-MCCAA performer who competed at nationals last season, placed 58th in 18:08. Freshman Jacob Creager of Coopersville made his collegiate debut and finished 71st in 19:55.

The Raiders finished 20th at nationals last season and were runners-up in both the MCCAA and regional championships.

Head coach Rob Hyde said the opening race gave the team a useful benchmark heading into the remainder of the season.

"We now can see where we are and what we need to do to progress towards our goals," Hyde said. "We raced with just three, but we have five. Brady was our number today. It wasn't his best time, but it was a solid start. Corey was second and had an off day with some breathing problems, and Jacob raced his first 5K in 20 years."

Hyde expects the Raiders to be much more competitive when the full lineup is available.

"Next race we should have all five, and we will be much more competitive," Hyde said.

Men's soccer earns 1-1 draw at Aquinas

The GRCC men's soccer team battled Aquinas College JV to a 1-1 draw Friday, moving the Raiders' record to 1-1-2 on the season.

After a scoreless opening 70 minutes, freshman Manuel Dipres, a Forest Hills Central graduate, broke through for GRCC in the 71st minute to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

Aquinas answered in the 84th minute to level the match, and neither team was able to find a game-winning goal in the final minutes.

GRCC finished with a 14-6 advantage in shots. Dipres and Ethan Schwartzfisher were the only Raiders to put shots on target.

The draw gives GRCC a 1-1-2 record heading into its second conference match of the season.

The Raiders return to action Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m. at Lake Michigan College.

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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.