The MIAA champion Hope College Flying Dutch have qualified nine swimmers and divers for the NCAA Division III championships to be held March 9-11 in Atlanta, Ga.
Coach John Patnott's Dutch have finished among the nation's top ten women's swimming/diving teams nine consecutive years, including fifth in 1999.
The Dutch are eligible to compete in all relay events. They have also advanced two divers as well as four swimmers who are each eligible to compete in three individual events.
Returning All-Americans include sophomore Jenna Anderson of Cincinnati, Ohio (Anderson HS), senior Llena Durante of Chicago, Ill. (Whitney Young HS), senior Colleen Doyle of Rochester Hills, Mich. (Marian HS), senior diver Kari Jackson of Canton, Mich. (Plymouth Canton HS), senior Erinn Van Auken of Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa HS), and senior Betsy VandenBerg of Beverly Hills, Mich. (Southfield Christian HS).
Competing at nationals for the first time will be sophomore Laura Smith of Dearborn, Mich. (Dearborn HS), freshman Erin VandenBerg of Beverly Hills, Mich. (Southfield Christian HS), and freshman diver Sara Gray of Grand Rapids (Union HS).
Last year Van Auken achieved All-America distinction in three individual events and as the freestyle anchor in four relays. She was the bronze medalist in the 200-yard freestyle, finished fifth in the 100-yard freestyle and sixth in the 50-yard freestyle. Betsy VandenBerg was the silver medalist in the 200-yard breaststroke for the second consecutive year and was also an All-American in the 200-yard individual medley (7th). Jackson won All-America honors on the one-meter board with a fifth place finish.