For the second time in school history, Hope College Athletics has claimed four MIAA winter team championships within the same season. On Saturday, Hope matched the 1994-95 feat as both men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s and women’s basketball, all were crowned champions. And the winter season isn’t even finished. The Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch indoor track and field teams will compete in their MIAA Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Trine University.
MEN’S SWIM/DIVE
As Colin Kalkman’s hand prepared to touch the wall in the 400-yard freestyle final, celebration erupted on the pool deck and in the stands at the Holland Aquatic Center. The Hope College men’s swimming and diving team reigned as MIAA champions again. For the 13th time in team history, Hope claimed the league title after posting a winning, four-day total of 995 points. The Flying Dutchmen rallied past 2021 champion Calvin University on Saturday and finished 15 points ahead of the Knights for their first MIAA championship since 2010.
WOMEN’S SWIM/DIVE
The Hope College women’s swimming and diving team ruled the pool again in the MIAA.The Flying Dutch repeated as MIAA Champions on Saturday, completing a four-day meet at the Holland Aquatic Center with a winning total of 1013.5 points. Hope finished comfortably ahead of runner-up Calvin University (897). The MIAA title is the 24th in team history. Combined with the men’s victory, Hope also secured the first sweep of MIAA team titles since 2004. Freshmen Abby Koops and Sara Kraus were voted as the MIAA’s Women’s Diver and Swimmer of the Year, respectively.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
The Hope College men’s basketball team clinched an outright MIAA championship on Saturday by defeating Kalamazoo College, 71-55, at DeVos Fieldhouse. Senior Josh Lilja, pictured, and the Flying Dutchmen (19-6 overall, 12-2 MIAA) will be the No. 1 seed for this week’s MIAA Tournament. Hope will host eighth-seeded Kalamazoo College for a quarterfinal on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. It will be Hope’s third game vs. the Hornets in nine days.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The No. 2-ranked Hope College women’s basketball team marched to a 94-23 victory at Kalamazoo College on Saturday in the regular season finale. Junior Meg Morehouse and the Flying Dutch (23-1 overall, 15-1 MIAA) earned a share of the MIAA title along with Trine University. Hope will be No. 2 seed for this week’s MIAA Tournament and will host seventh-seeded Saint Mary’s College for a quarterfinal on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse.
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK/FIELD
The Hope College men’s indoor track and field team recorded 13 Top-5 performances at the Grand Valley State University Tune-Up Meet on Saturday. Junior Nathan Woolum won the 400-meter dash. He anchored the victorious 4×400 relay. Senior David McHugh took first in the triple jump. Hope’s next competes at the MIAA Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Trine University.
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK/FIELD
The Hope College women’s indoor track and field team recorded 22 Top-10 efforts at the Grand Valley State University Tune-Up Meet on Friday. The non-scoring meet was the final one before the MIAA Indoor Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Trine University. Junior Grace Behrens, pictured, won the 200 meters for the Flying Dutch and anchored the first-place 4×400 relay.
MEN’S TENNIS
n a match that went down to the wire, the Hope College men’s tennis team lost to Cornerstone University, 5-4, on Friday at DeWitt Tennis Center The Flying Dutchmen won two of the three singles flights that went to five sets. At No. 1 singles, junior Jacob Burkett earned a 6-4, 5-7, 10-7 victory. At No. 2 singles, junior Cameron Coates claimed a 6-2, 5-7, 10-6 win. Hope is now 1-4 on the season.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
The Hope College women’s tennis team fell to Cornerstone University, 7-2, on Friday at DeWitt Tennis Center. The Flying Dutch claimed both of their points in doubles play. At No. 2 doubles, senior Saydee Johns and junior Taylor Truman won, 8-7 (4). At No. 3 doubles, sophomore Annika Weeber junior Delanie Riebschleger won, 8-6. Hope improved to 2-1 on the season.
ACHA HOCKEY
The top-ranked and unbeaten Hope College ice hockey team advanced to the semifinals of the Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference Tournament with an 8-1 victory against MIchigan State University on Saturday at Griff’s IceHouse Georgetown. Head coach Chris VanTimmeren, pictured, and the 28-0 Flying Dutchmen will host the semifinals and finals on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 25-26, at Griff’s Ice House West.
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