May 18, 2009

NEW ORLEANS - The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) honored Grand Valley State with three regional awards on Monday. Head coach Jerry Baltes, assistant coach Lou Andreadis and senior Bryant Wilson all received midwest regional plaudits.

Wilson was named the Midwest Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year as he set the best pole vault mark in NCAA Division II by over a foot at 18' 0.5". He was the GLIAC champion in the event, setting a new school and GLIAC conference record. His leap also qualified him for the USATF Championships, becoming the first track athlete in GVSU school history to qualify for the meet. He is tied for eighth on the men's NCAA Division II all-time list.

Baltes was named the Midwest Region Women's Head Coach of the Year, and it's no coincidence that GVSU's record of success parallels his tenure. Now in his tenth season, Baltes guided his Lakers to their tenth-straight GLIAC Conference Championship, winning by over 100 points. Baltes' team has 23 entries for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Andreadis earned the Midwest Region Women's Assistant Coach of the Year honor, sweeping the women's coaching awards in the midwest. Andreadis is the pole vault and multi-events coach for Grand Valley. Outdoors, his vaulters swept the GLIAC women's pole vault places first through fourth, with Diana Noonan setting a new GLIAC record. His heptathletes finished first, third, and seventh at the conference meet as well. Four of his vaulters are qualified for the national meet, led by Noonan whose jump of 13' 9" is currently third on the all-time NCAA Division II list.