>> Welcome back to an all new episode of the Grand Valley State sports report on WGVU.

I'm your host Jake Levy this week.

We'll take a dive into the newest national champions as the GSU men's cross country team wins in Florida.

The women's team finished as runner ups as both teams bring home the hardware dishing football cruises to a first-round NCAA playoff win over London.

What does your women soccer advances of the N C a a regional championships on the back of 2 wins in Allendale arpita this week highlights DBS to equipment manager Eric Thompson rocket in Laker nation is the Grand Valley State court report starts right now.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> Number 4 Grand Valley State claimed a 20 to 3 NBA division.

2 super region.

3 playoff victory over lindenwood Saturday afternoon lovers stadium.

The Lakers improved to 10 1 on the year and will now play at number one ranked Ferris state Saturday, November.

26th in big Rapids has now to talk about the team's head coach Matt Mitchell and coach.

We talked a lot about this on social media.

50 years of GSU football 13th time that you've won a playoff game.

Congratulations.

What it would mean to you in your program.

>> Well, you know, it's it's it's obviously in a rich history and tradition another milestone.

You know, for program would say our team appreciates where they're at their opportunities, but they're not done yet.

And, you know, I still think it's worth noting that 50 players man uniform really had a 9 guys that never played a playoff game.

The had played a playoff game excuse me before.

So, you know, full 49 guys that was their first experiences.

So with a team that is a really young loaded with sophomores to go out and get a home playoff victory.

I think it really help us here in the 2021 season.

But it's also kind of exciting for program as we move forward.

>> Let's talk about your defense because you hold the job BC champions lindenwood to 3 points.

A SWAT team was averaging over 35 points.

A game coach and you talked about he had really seen this team before.

You had 3 days of gate days to prepare on tape.

Your defense played outstanding.

What was the game plan, how to feel like a defense executed.

>> When it first and foremost, we need to make sure we stop the run game.

And I think that's one thing that, you know, statistics show out that we have done a good job all year.

So, you know, we don't really give up much rushing yardage and be a rush yards.

We also are looking explosive runs.

And so we didn't really didn't give up any explosive run.

So want to make sure we shut down the running game and then I think it was a Orton once we can get the running game shut down that we did a good job trying to, you know, for us or quarterback contain a quarterback to quarterback is really good.

Athlete had played receiver as it sometimes this year and in his career.

And so very strong.

A gifted athlete.

So that became after the run to shut down.

We've got to keep this guy out bounce a little bit.

And you know, I said I give our defense a ton of credit.

I think that the 2 have are drastically different.

What the 1st half, Jake, the offense had multiple played rights.

And really we didn't have to defend a lot of possessions in the 1st half.

And that's why from a statistical standpoint that we really had one 1st down worn out there a lot.

But the 2nd half was really where our defense to know shown because we've got the puts about spots just be based on some field position based on some inefficiencies on special teams and our offense and they just kept battling a really got a lot of key stops, especially on 4th down.

We all know 3 on 4th down and some of those are down the red zone.

That's the scoring opportunities we created turnovers in the 2nd half to which is really, really case.

You know, I just a lot of credit or coaches and players.

And I think what you're seeing right now is extremely healthy on the defensive.

Settle ball are our front.

7 has been very productive all year.

I really think we're gotten way better in the secondary the last 3 weeks.

And I think that's younger players and new players that are continue to play more.

I like them onto the kirti was a freshman had a really big day, had a pick also forced a fumble and money and can years 2 freshmen that are learning how to play college football.

You're seeing their best words into the season.

>> And then on the offensive side of the ball.

Coach Bryson was a redshirt senior leader coming with that big touchdown.

It really put the game away at the end.

He also a steady all game long leading youth 81 yards and then her eyes and making the most unbelievable catch of the year to seager 2 offensive captains kind of step up and lead the way for you when you had some issues injury, wide and things like that.

That was just enough for you guys to hang on.

>> The and I agree, Jake, you know, get we have some guys step up when you're the most.

I think that, you know, as a key to how things are going to work in the playoffs.

You know, everybody in the playoffs is confident they have a lot of confidence that I saw lindenwood.

They're very got that they did a great job.

Really trying to take away what we're good at.

We can plug in a way they didn't feel like we had 220 yards rushing stand on the sideline.

But we have 2020 yards rushing to help them to 20 yards.

Rushing.

It's good for most playoff wins.

But it specifically was it was not clean at times.

Some had to do with the fact that injuries at the receiver position with quarterback position.

We have some flex regards the people are in there and then, you know, red zone.

We've been really get a red zone for most year.

Jake, we bogged down a little bit, you know, especially having to settle for a couple fields and product on credit for making those field goals.

Really?

My decision was, you know, it's to stay aggressive and try to score in the red zone because I don't got nothing to 3 score lead.

We would that would break it open and really put a winter weather, a tough time coming back.

And you're right.

We have to drive.

Were we have a big reversal.

Cal mat 36 yard gain and then Bryce a really pops it off.

And, you know, to highlight Jacob Miller who had a good day, but he got really keep block downfield actually cut off 2 guys that a lot Bryce corn.

And at that point time when we made the extra point which is really big and take it to a 17 point lead, which is the 3 score lead.

And then after that, I just want to win and get out.

And we just try to run it.

We ran into some bad luck.

Son had some 3 announced that I was not one authority or risk a type of turnover at that point time and you don't like for my son was at this point time of year like.

But just, you know, it's when advance no matter how looks what goes on a run.

A ball three-point get their defense back out to play great defense.

Just try to get home with the win.

>> To Camilla Mister do it also help those extra points and kicks for you at the 2nd half as well.

Real quick coach go up to big Rapids this week, a rematch with Thursday.

Just give us a quick preview what to expect this weekend around to the playoffs.

>> Yeah, it's always exciting time.

We appreciate the opportunity one to 16 trying to be one of 8.

The next day we face is obviously a very talented football team great football game here.

Last time we played.

We came up on the short in regards the state.

But I was proud of the way that we played a couple turnovers.

So it's it's what we talked about a little bit.

We had a conversation about Michigan tack.

We'll get back in on the tape.

You know, they played games after us.

We'll take a look at what their continue to evolve and I'm sure we'll take a look at us.

And it you know, I think our region is loaded and I think this is, again, I said in the early season matchup.

I really believe this is probably a a national championship type game.

So we look for the opportunity to add up to big rapids and look for to see knows Laker fans come out to.

>> Well coach.

I know you're really busy this week.

Thanks so much for your time.

And that's a look this week up in big Rapids.

Go get a good.

Thank you.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] The tvs you cross country teams both took a spot on the podiums after the national championships in Florida this weekend.

The men's cross country team was crowned national champions on the backs of huge performances from a number of student athletes Isaac Hardin with finishes.

The individual national champion after a strategic race with tattered shot of finishing as the national runner-up.

It would help the Lakers to score 43 points at the meet, which would get the job done and claim victory against the best runners in D 2 athletics.

That huge issue women's cross country team finished as the national runners up and brought home their own piece of hardware back to Allendale Judy Hsu women would finish one 2 with Anna Becker running a personal best time to be crowned the individual national champion.

But the o'malley finish with a national runner-up and help the Lakers to a team score of 79 which occurred in the second place trophy.

We caught up with head coach Jerry bought this along with our newest national champions at the meat.

>> A great day down here.

Not Tampa area at Saint Leo, you know, taking the year off last year.

It's great to get back here in the championship.

A setting and both are squadron graced incredible today don't want to in the individual race there.

Ladies that come in in our runner-up in Irwin and capturing the title so great effort all the way up and down Adams.

Bring great on the women's side, I thought our women rain, great and just came up a little short staffed.

But you know, the 1, 2, and now we had some real key races at 3, 4, 5, jeffco was outstanding Graber and that Casey rip a battle really or as a race the last 2 times out there.

So to not raise and that 6, 7, weeks and come out here and put that the race you put out there just now standing at effort.

And Lucy was great as always and Morgan stepped in after not racing out 2 weeks ago and had a great effort zone.

And then our man.

>> Yeah, just top to bottom that.

The biggest thing I can say on both sides, it is that our athletes trust in each other.

They believed in themselves.

They executed a race plan from start to finish to to be back as far as they were, you know, at the mile and a half away and still have in the back of their mind that they have shot them to win the individual title and body and Tanner to to finish second, you know, it takes a lot a lot heart, lot patience and understanding and a belief in themselves in the program overall.

>> That they were going to be where they need to be at the end of the race, you know, and there are things that it is lays it out there and for him not to go out with the leaders, took a lot so road proud of him just executing and being patient and has been an incredible leader this season.

He's been outstanding e e, you know, hung back.

It's always and just pick people off injured Island.

All right.

Textbook or a set tripped on the warm up this morning.

This morning at 6, 5, 45 and they shook out that he broke his wrist.

So great race for him.

Jake Lee, you know, I think he was hurt a little bit.

The Devil Rays and manages to buckle down and got things done and then butter.

You know, first time here is a a third-year student.

But first championship case.

Heart great, great after forming battled hard over the second race and then Jay Jesse back or our cornerstone of our program, our leader rana salaries.

But more importantly, just everyday leadership to replace.

So.

>> I want to give a shout out to our 3 alternate Sunnyside Maria Mitchell Everhart Decker.

Sarah may 2 of those ladies Randy, the reason all race, just the belief and trust they put in our program.

>> You know, on the guys side, bends around has been our 5th guy and that 128 18 national championship in, you know, to not make this a top 7 takes a great picture.

Team member to come here and support your teammates know Stephon with all American 2 years ago and then Sam Martin's was actually are 6 guy at the regional.

So for him to sit back and know that he probably could have been out there.

What a mix it up just fine.

Great credit to those guys and the maturity they share.

[MUSIC] >> Today was an awesome day is an awesome opportunity.

I know we're all excited going into it even starting to warm up.

But we had a good nervous energy.

We knew that it was going to go pretty fast.

Just being a national media.

It always goes out hot.

And so our plan was to go out controls, but fast.

So just within our jobs, but still get a good position.

And I think why and I ask you that really well, which is awesome.

We're able to get up toward the front.

But we were paying back a little bit to make sure we didn't exert too much energy to soon.

And honestly, we just kind of tell that place and flow.

It stars were caught on.

It really took prior on until the 3 pay until we're up here right near the front.

And then from there we kind of just like we're together.

We work together on the hill and down the hill and tried to move together and you see each other's energy.

And when I got a low pass and nice.

I got to hang on to her a little bit.

And then I got to push the middle and you have to hang on a little bit there.

So it's really awesome how we got to work together throughout the race.

And then I just last 2 decade ago, we really knew that like we had to it, Ron.

It's going to hurt quite a bit.

I love that part was pretty muddy.

And so try to pole position through there and then use our strength up to help joy into the finish and then just kind of finish with all we had.

So I think we want to cross the 5 K and cloud.

>> Iraq near the front.

And then there was a girl that made a move on up to help.

And honestly, I thought she might take it at that point.

But I just continue to stay steady up the hill and try to push it a little bit and eventually was able to catch back up to her and really just kind of like keep on moving past kind of put in the race where if you if you're feeling.

All right.

You just really got to go for it.

And I see is what you have.

You have last.

>> I think we'll have enough left in my legs gap.

[MUSIC] >> Take a little break after outdoor track season and just been trying up until then, we have had the goal all season 2 to be national national title holders today.

And we've just yeah, we just been workin put in a really consistent training.

I'm really focused.

This was like the focus of the year was was nationals or getting too concerned about regular season me.

It's just putting in good training, good consistent volume.

And I'm trusting my plan.

It all worked out.

The man man Tanner it kind of worked together throughout that face.

It was a little bit kind of really have to trust our race plan beforehand.

It went out really hard pretty fast.

The first mile first to Kane and we kind of knew it was going to be like that.

But we knew it was hot and humid and 10 K race really lawn.

I'm really Heli.

So we decide to respect the course.

I'm kind of go out a little bit more conservative and then kind of a workout from 2 K to to came back up to the leaders and yeah, there was there's points where I don't know for going to catch.

But we we kind of just kept picking people off and then got to the this big h#*#*#*.

I'm coming up to the Kmart and just close the gap on the guys and then it was just me and Tanner.

Well, one, too.

[MUSIC] >> It's the program championship runner-up from all our support staff affiliate the top Kerry backer.

Our athletic director Tim not Eric and sports Communications.

Douglas Penske marks tester, Katie rats or athletic trainer.

You know, Jake are all the way up and down Dakar, Laker academics, all our alumni before us is a total program effort, not a one.

>> To finish effort now to team championship for a total program effort to get us to this point.

So I'm just very pleased and proud what how everyone has embrace the culture of our program it.

[MUSIC] >> To number one ranked Grand Valley.

State women soccer team won both of their playoff matchups this week in Allendale taking on cedarville on Thursday, the team found a way to win in overtime by a score of 2 to one in an incredibly tight game Laker them bounce back to the usual form with a 5 nothing win against the windy on Saturday.

Join us now to talk about the team's head coach Jim common Dakota turn the page after that tough glee actor net loss to NC a term and now it's win or go home.

No more second chances to comes out that the couple of wins.

What was it like for you is your first time to help rally turning the page of the nca tournament.

>> Yeah.

I think that's the big adjustment is going from the ugly act and having tournament mentality into the nca tournament begin to turn the business second chances.

So you have make sure you take a business advance and air survive and advance to move on.

And I was proud of our women for cannot get into good wins this weekend.

>> It starts with cedarville who is a pretty good team.

They haven't given up 13 goals all years you knew they were stingy defensively.

They really made you work for everything you got.

They got that early goal off of a turnover but percent Stein water to come back, get that goal off a corner.

Tie things up.

Your leader to stepping up again in the big moment.

>> Yeah.

I mean, I think every team coming in the nca tournament after being off for 2 years.

Let's a large part of the rosters to try and settle in and figure out that these experiences and cedarville is a very good team, very well organized.

So it made for an exciting soccer match.

But we are very pleased that SAS was the leader that she has been all year for us.

And when the moment presented itself, she rose up to get her teammates to be better versions of themselves.

And then obviously put the ball in the back of the net to give us the chance to win in overtime.

>> You go into overtime and really great move.

Greta takes on from the left side of a late offer Kennedy and Kennedy beard and does what she's done all year, which is fighting these long-range shot but incredible poise.

That would be a really good keeper for cedarville the gene that keeper of the year.

>> Yeah, she was really good keeper in.

And we're just pleased the Kennedy, you know, gather the ball founder 7, a good spot and took the shot.

You know, sometimes, you know, those moments present itself and you see a different option and she found the option would be to really good keeper.

>> Yes.

So that gives you the when you move on to the second round against a good un.

The team that just beat in the country 3 to 2 Jewish.

They showed the ability to get forward score some goals that you guys really took advantage, especially.

I think the wind helped a lot in that first happening at your back to get those 4 goals really set the tone.

>> Yeah, that are women came out and Saturday and really executed the game plan.

We did have the wind at our back.

You don't control that piece of it when planning for but out of women took advantage of the elements.

The pose to them and to get up early and a great cut back ball.

Good effort by staff to find her way there.

And then, you know, just kind of stay on that front foot not be complacent with that one goal and get a couple more that half really, really was good.

Good half.

>> You're freshman showed some really good ability to step up.

Taylor read.

Obviously the second year freshman she had the assist on that goal.

The Katy Barron what she was able to do down the right side in that second game this weekend coach.

She's really kind of coming into heard the Katie Byrne that we've gotten accustomed to over the last few years.

The perfect time for you.

>> Yeah.

And again, Katie's doing a great job for us and a lot of different roles and she's really coming into our own understanding where teammates are, what we're asking of or what's within the game plan and really playing good, good soccer right now.

She good farm.

Yet.

She set that up to a goal and an assist in that.

>> 1st half in the U.S. as she had came up insert from Brooke Russell.

Brooke TOLLEY played really good center back for you this weekend coach.

But you also had to insert that led directly to goals for you this weekend as well.

So your for your younger players in that center back.

We've been looking for kind of who that other piece with.

Kate Brown being out for as long as she was.

And Brooke really has emerged over the last few weeks as well.

>> Yeah.

Brooks really coming into form.

We're excited about her development.

Obviously a slow start to the season.

We've had to manage a few things but coming in at the right time.

I think physically she's feeling good mentally.

She's get into a rhythm where she can combine with their teammates understand what's being asked of area.

So we like that combination of of her n#*#*#*#* the Brook at a very good day for us.

>> Talking about those fresh.

We mentioned it briefly looked a little deeper into it now because the toe in the candy Jones Taylor read that into this mix as well.

They've never played nca tournament soccer before at the collegiate level, obviously.

So for them to come in play the way that they have these last couple of games to see Stephanie sturgeon to see Ryan fetty to see all these freshmen step up in big moments.

This is what you've been talking about all year, kind of building towards playing your best soccer towards November December.

Right.

Then I think.

>> Large credit to our women.

They are doing what's being asked of them consistently from day one and growing through.

Like you said, we're trying to play our best in November, December and we've tried not to change the mentality and over hype it in the nca.

Just do what you do well, and I think that's where they feel comfortable, OK, I have to do is the job I been asked to do for the last several weeks and that's putting them in positions to where they feel comfortable.

>> And execute with their teammates.

A big ask for another freshman but failed to mention there.

Kendall Roberts has been between the pipes for her down in the postseason.

She got beat by cedarville on that one shot on Thursday has a similar chance on Saturday and makes the save for the senior freshman kind of learn from be a mistake.

You want to call it on Thursday and bounce back the way she did lead to a clean sheet combined with Kelly rich on Saturday.

That's gonna be huge for your confidence in her and in your defense going poll.

>> Yeah, and I think we talk about these young players and we talk about making sure they're all learning from certain moments.

We've got some very town to goalkeepers on this roster and we continue to challenge them and get better collectively as a unit but also use the competition of each other's gifts in practice to help each other.

Learn and candles been great for us in the net.

Recently.

Kelly has been great for us throughout this season.

So we feel like we said that that goal keeping group is really good.

But it's nice to see Kendall bounce back after, you know, giving up one on early part of the week.

>> To bounce back, get a clean sheet late part of the week.

But it's been a hectic year for you, moving up to Allendale on the line right into the season on the sharing of enjoy this weekend off your Thanksgiving coach of enjoy.

It is well deserved come back in a couple of weeks back downhill with that regional championship against Saginaw.

We're looking forward to it.

That's a lot.

>> Make.

It was hoping everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving and be safe.

>> We're back with more of the Grand Valley State sport.

Poor continues on wdvm news.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] >> At the end of his team's 9, 1, regular season.

Matt Mitchell looked relax before the start of the NCAA playoffs reasons for that included 3 touchdown.

1st quarter his offense had against Davenport and a defense that held opponents scoreless for the first time since 2017.

It might also be because he knows his equipment staff led by Eric Thompson was still humming in the Jamie Haas for football center the way it always does.

A 100.

They're highly confident.

>> Highly confident.

So it takes a lot off my plate to know that our players are properly equipped for all practices and competition is to really good job, too, with inventory with a lot of little bit of a logistical details.

>> However, Thompson came to be the Lakers equipment managers.

A bit of a happy mystery man.

It was retired from a successful business career.

When Mitchell first talk to him about the job while the hours don't suggest this undertaking would be a fun retirement hobby Thompson's of organizational skills and work ethic, kick and even after lover stadium.

>> It has emptied out and will be here for probably 3, 3, and a half hours are Friday and it was locker stuff.

Get everything.

Put out.

So yeah, we put the hours in, you know, no doubt about it.

And then after the game we're here for probably about 4 to 4 and a half hours depending how how much water there is to do it.

How dirty we got some >> like any good boss Thompson is quick to praise his staff.

Consisting of Chicago area GSU students, Jake turning and Ryan minute goal in hudsonville spent a while.

Maintaining full-time class loads, huge nose and execute every job you need with the operation.

>> They really work.

They really work their tails off 24 7.

I mean, they give everything they have the program that there is valuable to anybody.

This building to me.

Anything you need and they get it done and half the time they get it done before you tell me you got to get one.

>> It's not just one that's about handing out towels or cups of water on the sideline.

There's over a 1000 pounds of laundry each day of practice field set up [MUSIC] issue within Tory and constant helmet making this and then.

>> There's the footballs.

Why start out by putting in the dryer getting heated up to less than a get the wax off of that, then you hand washing really hot water to get the rest of the wax while is what you pack it in much.

The good Ole Miss Bowman and that drives overnight and the next day you come in with the Russian start brushing it off.

And there's another reason we put on that.

We're not going to tell you what it is.

And then we we brush that again.

So there's about an hour and a half to ours with the prep in each phone.

>> And that process takes over a week to complete meaning the footballs for the lindenwood game.

We're done even before the Lakers knew they'd be in the postseason and because an air Thompson's grandelli equipment room rig a preparation is the main element of a game plan that never get stock in the month for the Grand Valley.

State sports report.

I'm Tom Cleary.

>> That's all the time we have this week on the Grand Valley State for report de su football will take on number one ranked Ferris state in the second round of the N C a a playoffs.

The travel up to big rapids on November 27th for a rematch between the 2 black power houses kickoff for the game is scheduled for 01:00PM GSU men's basketball take on grace Christian on Tuesday, November 23rd at the GSU Fieldhouse arena tip off is scheduled for 07:00PM.

The team will then head down to Lakeland, Florida, take on Florida Southern.

>> And Saint Leo over the weekend.

The jea issue, women's basketball team will compete in the Rollins classic this weekend in Winter Park, Florida to play a number of games over the weekend started with Rollins college.

A 02:00PM on Friday.

Then take on and the riddle of 04:00PM on Saturday for upcoming games as well as live broadcast of every Laker athletic program visit to the U.S. Lakers dot com to see more of this show that or youtube channel and youtube.

Dot com slash w G 35.

Make sure you hit the subscribe button to get updated video highlights all year long for the entire crew here.

WD to you.

I'm Jake Levy had a great week Laker nation.

And as always, accurate.

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