For the first time in school history, the Hope College track and field teams have swept weekly honors from the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association.
Nick Hoffman and Ana Tucker are the men’s and women’s Indoor athletes of the week
for NCAA Division III.
Hoffman is the first male indoor athlete from Hope to be named USTFCCCA National Athlete
of the Week.
The junior from Holland, Michigan (Holland HS) earned the award after breaking a 14-year-old
school record in the 1 mile at the Grand Valley State University Mike Lints Open.
Hoffman clocked a time of 4 minutes, 9.38 seconds on GVSU’s oversized track, which
is faster. The time is converted to 4:12.57 for Hope’s record books.
Hoffman eclipsed the old mark of 4:15.10 that was set by Ryan TerLouw in 2007.
Hoffman’s time would have ranked him third-fastest in Division III last season. He
is No. 1 nation in the first USTFCCCA ranking index this season.
Tucker is receiving the USTFCCCA honor for the second consecutive week and the second
time in her career.
The sophomore from Midland, Michigan (H.H. Dow) took 12 seconds off her lifetime personal
record in the 3,000 meters with a run of 9:41.33 at GVSU.
Tucker’s time on GVSU’s faster, oversized track is converted to 9:46.33 for Hope’s
record books. She passed the old school record of 9:49.45 set by Erin Herrmann in
2017.
Tucker is ranked first in the nation in her event.
Tucker is the first female Hope track and field athlete to be honored by the USTFCCCA
twice and the second overall. Herrmann also claimed the honor in 2017.