The Flying Dutchmen approach the 2010 season with a roster evenly balanced between returning letterwinners and runners new to the program.

Hope has a long history of competitiveness in the MIAA and NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region. Under coach Mark Northuis the past 21 seasons, the team has finished third or higher every year in the conference standings.

A year Hope finished runner-up in the MIAA standings and were tenth for the second consecutive year at the Great Lakes Regional.

This year's squad has a pre-season roster of 16 returning letterwinners and 15 prospects, including 12 freshmen. The tri-captains of the team are senior Kevin Hagan of Okemos (Okemos HS), junior Nate Love of Midland (Midland HS), and senior Jordan Richardson of Reading (Reading HS).

Other returning letterwinners include sophomore Elliott Barney of Chicago, Ill. (Seeton Academy), senior Carl Dunker of Bloomfield Hills (Seaholm HS), junior Ben Fineout of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS), junior Kyle Gibson of Alma (Alma HS), junior Brian Hernandez of Saline (Saline HS), sophomore Will Hewitt of Grand Haven (Grand Haven HS), junior Bruce Kraay of Zeeland (Zeeland East HS), senior Chris Mauney of South Lyon (South Lyon HS), senior Brett May of Belmont (Rockford HS), junior Andrew McKeachie of Milford (Milford HS), sophomore Blake Rottschafer of Spring Lake (Spring Lake HS), sophomore John Ryan of Vicksburg (Vicksburg HS), and sophomore Andrew Wiersum.

Brian Hernandez and Nate Love achieved All-MIAA recognition in 2009. Elliott Barney received All-MIAA honors in track this past spring.

The Flying Dutchmen also excelled in the classroom in 2009-10 receiving Team Academic All-America honors from the College Cross Country Coaches Association for the 19th time over 20 years.

A highlight on the schedule will occur late in the season when Hope hosts the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional championship on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the West Ottawa Golf Course.