Jerry Baltes was named the 2025 NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country National Coach of the Year. Baltes, in his 27th year as head coach of the Lakers, led Grand Valley State to the team title at the 2025 NCAA DII Cross Country Championships in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The Lakers, buoyed by three finishers in the top 15, beat Colo. School of Mines by four points, 65-69. Earlier in the season, GVSU topped the podium at the Midwest Region Championships and GLIAC Championships, among others.