Hope's cross country teams have finished second in the seasonal standings of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
Hope's cross country teams have finished second in the seasonal standings of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
Coach Mark Northuis' squads placed second at the nine-team conference championship meet held Saturday, Nov. 1. Over the past two decades the Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch have finished third or higher in the conference standings every year.
Hope finishers in the men's meet were: Rob Bailey, 5th (25:18); Seth Weener, 6th (25:19); Matt Wiersum, 11th (25:57); Nathan Love, 15th (26:19); Collin Kooy, 17th (26:20); Zach King, 18th (26:21) and Paul Vandervelde, 20th (26:24).
Hope finishers in the women's meet were: Karli Sikma, 10th (23:20); Kate Nelson, 11th (23:30); Kelly Lufkin, 12th (23:39); Claire Bird, 16th (24:03); Kate Freshour, 18th (24:09); Susan Savasky, 19th (24:10); Emily Fischer, 20th (24:14).
Seniors Seth Weener of Grandville, Mich. (Grandville HS) and Rob Bailey of Portage, Ind. (Portage HS) achieved All-MIAA first team honors for the second time in their careers. Weener was also an All-MIAA honoree in track & field last spring.
Receiving All-MIAA second team recognition were sophomore Emily Fischer of Naperville, Ill. (Naperville Central HS); senior Zach King of Portage, Mich. (Portage Northern HS); freshman Kelly Luftkin of Houghton (Houghton HS); freshman Kate Nelson of Williamston (Williamston HS); senior Paul VanderVelde of Lawrence, Kan. (Free State HS); and junior Matt Wiersum of Minnetonka, Minn. (Minnetonka HS).