Dec. 7, 2010

New Orleans, La. - U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coach Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Tuesday (Dec. 7) that head coach Jerry Baltes earned the 2010 National Women's Coach of the Year award. Baltes, in his 12th year, helped the women's cross country team claimed their program's first NCAA Division II team title last Saturday (Dec. 4) in Louisville, Ky.

The women's team notched a team score of 66 points, well ahead of second place Western State (95). The Lakers placed two runners, seniors Katherine McCarthy and Megan Maceratini, in the top-10. GVSU's remaining five runners finished in the top-35. Grand Valley State finished as national runner-up in 2009 and had finished second, three of the previous five national championships.

Baltes also guided the Lakers their 10th straight NCAA Midwest Region title with an impressive 26-79 victory over Ferris State. Grand Valley State had four runners place in the top-eight. The Lakers also claimed the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title for the 10th consecutive year with a team score of 18 points.