Grand Valley State's track and field team is set to launch their 2026 outdoor season at the Polar Bear Classic in Indiana. The majority of the team will compete, excluding the distance squad, over a two-day event. Building on a successful indoor season, which saw the men place National Runner-Up and the women in sixth at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships, the Lakers aim to continue their momentum. The women's team seeks to defend their 2025 National Outdoor Championship, while the men's squad aims for improvement after finishing third last season. The competition kicks off Friday at 12 p.m.

By the Numbers
  • Men's team finished as National Runner-Up in the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.
  • Women's team is defending their 2025 National Outdoor Championship title.
State of Play
  • 32 men and 28 women will represent GVSU at the Polar Bear Classic.
  • Competition involves multiple events over the weekend, starting Friday at noon.
What's Next

As the season progresses, the Lakers will aim to secure strong placements at upcoming meets, including efforts to defend championships and improve rankings from past seasons.

Bottom Line

The opening of the outdoor season presents a significant opportunity for GVSU athletes to build on their previous successes and set the tone for the remainder of the year.