Libby Westrate

Nine members of the Hope College swimming and diving teams have received all-conference honors from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Headlining the honorees is senior Libby Westrate of Grandville (Grandville HS) who has been named the women's MIAA most valuable swimmer for the second year in-a-row. Westrate was a triple winner at the conference championship meet capturing the 50, 100 and 200 free. Over her conference career, she was an individual gold medal winner 11 out of a possible 12 times. She was the four-time champion in the 100 and 200 free. She was also a member of seven of Hope's MIAA champion relay teams. She holds the Hope records in the 50, 100 and 200 free and the MIAA record in the 50 free.

Joining Westrate as a four-time all-leaguer is senior Josh Grabijas of Howell (Howell HS). Honored for a third consecutive year is junior Nick Hazekamp of Janesville, Wisc. (Joseph A. Craig HS). Senior Erin Holstad of Traverse City (Traverse City West HS) is a first-time honoree.

Five Flying Dutch are among a league-record 11 freshmen to be honored -- Hannah Larson of Jackson (Jackson HS), Klare Northuis of Holland (Holland HS), Sarah Sheridan of Richmond, Ind. (Richmond HS), Jorgie Watson of Grand Rapids (GR Catholic Central HS), and Lindsay Wiederhold of Plainwell (Plainwell HS).