Oct. 28, 2009

Bay City, Mich. - Grand Valley State was selected by members of the media and the conference's sports information directors to win the North Division in the 2009-10 GLIAC Preseason Media Poll, released by the league offices on Wednesday (Oct. 28). Junior guard/forward Justin Ringler also earned preseason honors, as he was named to the Preseason All-GLIAC North Division Team, as voted on by the league's head coaches.

The Lakers received 17 of a possible 24 first-place votes from the media to finish with 130 points in the North Division. GVSU finished last season with a 21-10 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. Ferris State was second in the poll with two first-place votes and a total of 107 points, while Lake Superior State finished third with 94 points and four first-place tallies. Michigan Tech had one first-place vote and tallied 84 points to finish fourth, while Saginaw Valley State (51 points) and Northern Michigan (36) rounded out the North Division.

Findlay, the defending Division II National Champions, received 22 of 24 first-place votes to tally 140 points and finish first in the South Division. Hillsdale placed second with 109 points and the other two first-place votes. Northwood (85 points), Wayne State (81), Ashland (63), and Tiffin (26) were spots three through six, respectively.

Ringler was joined on the Preseason North Division Team with guard Darien Gay and forward Justin Keenan from Ferris State, Lake Superior State guard Scott Perkins, and Saginaw Valley State guard Avery Stephenson. The Preseason South Division Team included Northwood guard Chris Johnson, Hillsdale forward Luke Laser, Wayne State forward Jerry Oden, Findlay guard Marcus Parker, and Ashland forward Kale Richardson. Parker was tabbed as the GLIAC Preseason Player of the Year.

The Lakers' leading returning scorer and rebounder, Ringler averaged 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He led GVSU in rebounds in 2008-09 and was second in scoring. Ringler ranked 10th in the GLIAC in field goal percentage (.498), 13th in rebounds, and 16th in points. He was also second on the team in assists (76) and steals (37), while shooting .711 from the free throw line.

Grand Valley State plays an exhibition game at Michigan State on Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. before opening its regular season with a Nov. 15 home game against Northern Kentucky at 3:00 p.m.