The Flying Dutchmen return 25 letterwinners from a 2006 team that finished third in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
Coach Kevin Cole begins his second season at the helm of the track and field program with a roster that includes 13 freshmen, 10 sophomores, 10 juniors and nine seniors.
Two returning athletes received All-MIAA honors in 2006 - seniors Ryan TerLouw of Pella, Iowa (Pella HS) and Scott Langille of Glen Lyn, Ill. (Glenbard West HS). TerLouw was conference champion in the 1,500-meter run while Langile defended his championship in the pole vault.
TerLouw went on to achieve NCAA All-America honors for a second consecutive year finishing fifth at nationals in the 1,500. A year earlier he was seventh at nationals. TerLouw holds the Hope record in the 1,500 (3:50.59) 3,000 (8:39.11) and 5,000 (14:31.29). He also competed at the NCAA Division III cross country championships last fall.
Senior distance runner Aaron Kenemer of Zeeland, Mich. (Zeeland HS) received All-MIAA honors in 2004 and 2005 while junior sprinter Erik George of Livonia, Mich. (Churchhill HS) received the distinction in 2005.
Co-captains of the team will be Aaron Kenemer and Ryan Terlouw, senior Kyle Smith of Ada, Mich. (Forest Hills Central HS) and junior Nathan VandeGuchte of Hamilton, Mich. (Hamilton HS).
Seniors who have lettered three years include Sanders Frye of Harbor Springs, Mich. (Harbor Springs HS), and Jeffrey Layman of Holland, Mich. (West Ottawa HS).
Athletes who return who had season-best performances in 2006 include: Erik George, 100 meters (:10.97) and 200 meters (:22.89); Aaron Kenemer, 800 meters (1:53.60); Ryan TerLouw, 1,500 meters (3:50.70), 3,000 meters (8:39.11) and 5,000 meters (14:31.29); junior Daniel Sultz of Interlochen, Mich. (Benzie Central HS), 10,000 meters (33:49.73); sophomore Robert Bailey of Ogden Dunes (Portage HS), 3000 meter steeplechase (9:48.69); sophomore Bergsma of Grand Haven, Mich. (Grand Haven HS), high jump (6-4); Scott Langille, pole vault (14-11); junior Chad Rector of Grant, Mich. (Grant HS), discus (136-7) and hammer (152-8); and senior Andrew Denninger of Winfield, Ill. (West Chicago HS), javelin (180-3).