Ana Tucker finished as national runner-up in the 1-mile run at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday, March 11, 2023. About 1 hour and 45 minutes later, the exercise science major ran again and placed fourth in the 3,000 meters. Both runs — a converted 4 minutes, 49.87 seconds in the 1-mile and a converted 9:38.99 in the 3,000 meters — were school records.
Ana Tucker’s athletic excellence and academic success have landed her a second selection to the Academic All-America® women’s track & field/cross country teams selected by the College Sports Communicators (CSC).
The recent Hope College graduate is a second-team honoree in NCAA Division III for the 2022-23 school year. The Midland, Michigan, native also received the distinction during the 2021-22 school year.
Tucker joins Tauna Jecmen as a two-time Academic All-American in women’s track and field/cross country. Jecmen claimed recognition in 1988 and 1989.
Fourteen Hope student-athletes have been named Academic All-Americans multiple times.
Tucker follows Jecmen, volleyball’s McKenna Otto (2021 spring and 2021 fall seasons), softball’s Laura Tjepkema (2012-13), men’s track and field’s John Donkersloot (2010-11), Softball’s Kim Grotenhuis (2000-01), baseball’s Mark Kuiper (1994-95), swimming’s Jeff Bannink (1992-93), softball’s DeeAnn Knoll (1987-88), baseball’s Tom Bylsma (1985-86), baseball’s Randy Cutler (1984-85) and football’s Mark Spencer (1980-81). Grotenhuis also earned the honor in 2001 in volleyball.
Tucker capped her Hope career this spring with All-America performances in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the Division III Outdoor Championships for the second consecutive season.
The exercise science major finished third in the 5,000 meters and fourth in the 10,000 — setting program-bests in each event. Tucker completed a sweep of MIAA Most Valuable Track honors for the outdoor and indoor seasons.
During the indoor track and field season, Tucker finished national runner-up in the 1-mile run and 3,000 meters at the NCAA Division III Championships.
During the cross country season, Tucker placed fourth at the NCAA Championships and earned MIAA Most Valuable Runner honors Tucker helped the Flying Dutch win MIAA titles in all three sports.
The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist the CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Division III Academic All-America® program.
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