MIAA Gold Medal Winners

Sarah Venlet, Sheri McCormack, Joel Rietsema, Boone Marois, Catherine White

Catherine Calyore, Katie Afton, Steffon Mayhue, Bryce Richards, Andrew Kreichelt

School Records Fall at "Last Chance" Meet
This Season's Best Performances in NCAA Division III
Last Chance Results
Two school records were established and several season-best performances recorded as Hope athletes competed in a "Last Chance" meet hosted by North Central College in Naperville, Ill. on Friday. The meet annually attracts hundreds of athletes from throughout the country who are seeking to better their performances prior to the NCAA Division III championships to be held May 23-26 in La Crosse, Wisc.

Junior Sheri McCormack shattered her own school record in the 1,500-meter run, finishing fourth in a field of 65 runners in 4:32.14. The runners who finished ahead of her were all from NCAA Division I programs. McCormack set the previous mark of 4:35.11 in 2012.

The women's 4x400 relay broke a 12-year-old Hope record. The quartet of freshman Jane Pearson, freshman Aurelie McCarus, junior Catherine Calyore and senior Sarah Venlet was recorded in 3:55.72. The previous mark established in 2001 was 3:55.99.

Men's Highlights: Freshman Boone Marois had a season-best time in the 100-meter dash (:10.93) with a 7th place finish; senior Joel Rietsema was fifth among 98 runners in the 800-meter run (1:51.71); junior James Rogers was 25th in the 1,500-meter run (4:01.73); the 4x100 relay finished tenth (:43.00); senior Steffon Mayhue was 9th in the long jump (22-0 3/4).
Women's Highlights:Senior Sarah Venlet finished fourth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:03.71).

The latest Division III national rankings have Joel Rietsema 4th in the 800-meter run, Sara Venlet 11th in the 400-meter hurdles and Sheri McCormack 12th in the 1,500-meter run. Approximately 18 competitors will be invited to the national championships.

Hope Crowns Nine Champions at MIAA Field Day
Complete Results
Hope College track and field athletes won the gold medal in nine events at the MIAA Field Day which concluded Friday. Both Hope teams finished second behind rival Calvin in the team standings.

Hope opened Friday's running finals by winning both the men's and women's 4x100 meter relay. It marked the second consecutive 4x100 relay title for the Flying Dutchmen and the fifth over the last six years for the Flying Dutch.

In the women's meet, senior Sarah Venlet and Sheri McCormack each won two events. Venlet repeated as champion in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles events while McCormack won the 800-meter and 1,500-meter runs. Venlet's 400-meter crown was her third consecutive MIAA gold.

In the men's meet, freshman Boone Marois won the 100-meter and 200-meter dash events. Senior Joel Rietsema repeated as champion of the 800-meter run.

FIELD DAY TEAM SCORES
Women: 1. Calvin 273.5. 2. Hope 189. 3. Alma 115. 4. Albion 61.5. 5. Adrian 54. 6. Olivet 48. 7. Trine 34.
Men: 1. Calvin 232.5. 2. Hope 179.5. 3. Trine 97. 4. Albion 83. 5. Adrian 74. 6. Alma 59. 7. Olivet 53.
HOPE CHAMPIONS
Women's 4X100 Meter Relay: Catherine White, Catherine Calyore, Katherine Afton, Sarah Venlet, :49.19
1,500 Meter Run: Sheri McCormack, 4:37.74
100-Meter Hurdles: Sarah Venlet, :15.47
800 Meter Run: Sheri McCormack, 2:16.23
400 Meter Hurdles: Sarah Venlet, 1:03.65
Men's 4x100 Meter Relay: Steffon Mayhue, Bryce Richards, Andrew Kreichelt, Boone Marois, :42.32
100 Meter Dash: Boone Marois, :10.99
800 Meter Run: Joel Rietsema, 1:53.00
200 Meter Dash: Boone Marois, :22.54

< Hope Senior Honored by MIAA (4/30/13)
The MIAA has named Hope's Joel Rietsema its male track and field Athlete of Week. A senior from Rockford (Rockford HS), posted the nation’s second-fastest Division III time in the men’s 800 meters at the Hillsdale Gina Relays with a time of 1:51.20, running against primarily NCAA Division I competition. The time was a Hope school record beating the previous mark which was also held by Rietsema. He is being honored as Track Athlete of the Week for the first time this season and second time in his career.

School Record Highlights Weekend Performances (4/27/13)
Hope athletes competed at two different meets this weekend in their final competition before Hope hosts the MIAA Field Day next Thursday and Friday.
Hillsdale Relays: Senior Sarah Venlet bettered her own school record in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.32) with a fourth place finish. Her time ranks fourth in NCAA Division III. Senior Joel Rietsema ran the nation's second fastest time this year in the 800 (1:51.29) while junior Sheri McCormack had a season best time in the 1500 (4:34.74).
Ernie Mousseau Classic: Event champions included Boone Marois in the men's 100 (:11.12); Jane Pearson, women's 400 (1:00.06); Kyle Anderson in the men's 800 (1:57.18); Morgan McCardel in the women's 1500 (4:44.48); Ben Zank in the men's 1500 (4:07.99); Michelle Kerr in the women's 3000 (11:04.85); David Dolfin, and men's triple jump (42-0 3/4). Hope also won both the men's and women's 4x400 Relay.Meet Results

Hope Teams Compete at Grand Valley Invitational (4/20/13)
Results
Hope athletes competed in the Al Owens Classic hosted by Grand Valley State University on Saturday. The non-scoring meet, much of which was held indoors because of the cold weather, was highlighted by Sam Pederson's victory in the 5,000-meter run (15:02.10). The women's 4x400 relay took first place with a team of Jane Pearson, Katherine Afton, Caitlin Schwark and Sarah Venlet timed in 3:59.01.

Other top five performances by Hope athletes included Sheri McCormack, second in the 800-meters (2:14.80) and third in the 1,500-meters (4:33.69); Sarah VenLet, third in the 400-meters (:58.55); Catherine Calyore, fifth in the 60-meter hurdles (:09.56); Jane Pearson, fifth in 300-meter hurdles (:48.32); Kelsi Vandeguchte, third in javelin (104-7); Boone Marois, third in 60-meters (:07.04); Joel Rietsema and William Hewitt, fourth (1:53.99) and fifth (1:55.08) in 800-meters; Zach Zandbergen, fifth in 3,000-meters (9:16.19); Ben Zank, third in 5,000-meters (15:13.07); John Stathakis, fifth in 300-meter hurdles (:40.79); men's 4x400 meter relay (Can Holicki, William Hewitt, Elliott Barney, Joel Rietsema), 3:24.79; Jonas Lawson, second in triple jump (42-8 1/4).

Hope Teams Finish Second at MIAA Jamboree (4/13/13)
Men's Final Scores: 1. Calvin 875.5. 2. Hope 822.5. 3. Adrian 615. 4. Albion 598. 5. Alma 433. 6. Trine 425. 7. Olivet 391.
Women's Final Scores: 1. Calvin 941.5. 2. Hope 812. 3. Alma 642.5. 4. Adrian 544. 5. Albion 461. 6. Olivet 371. 7. Trine 202.
Results
The Hope track and field teams each finished second behind rival Calvin at the MIAA Jamboree on Saturday. The Jamboree determines half of the seasonal standings. Hope event champions included Boone Marois, men's 100-meter dash (:11.39); Joel Rietsema, men's 800-meter run (1:54.41); Sheri McCormack, women's 1,500-meter run (4:45.84); Sarah Venlet, 400-meter hurdles (1:05.23); Amelia Stanley, women's pole vault (9-6 1/4). The second half of the standings will be determined May 2-3 when Hope hosts the MIAA Field Day.

Hope Teams Compete at MSU Spartan Invitational (4/6/13)
Results
Hope's track and field athletes competed in the non-scoring Spartan Invitational at Michigan State University this weekend. The meet attracted athletes from all NCAA Divisions as well as unattached competitors. A meet highlight came in the men's triple jump which had four Hope athletes finish in the top ten -- #6 Cameron Lee (42-3 1/4); #7 Jonas Lawson (41-11 1/2); #9 David Dolfin (40-9 3/4) and #10 Warren Hunt (39-0 1/2). Other Hope athletes finishing in the top ten of an event were: Sheri McCormack, 2nd in 5,000-meters (17:24.34); Sarah Venlet, 7th in 400-meter hurdles (1:04.82); Kelsi Vanderguchte, 9th in women's javelin (98-9); Bryce Richards, 6th in 100-meters (:11.04); Gavin Midlam, 400-meter hurdles (:56.67); Steffon Mayhue, long jump (22-5 1/4).

Hope Teams Compete at Grand Rapids Open (3/30/13)
Results
Hope's track and field athletes competed in the non-scoring Grand Rapids Open hosted by Aquinas College on Saturday. Highlighting the Hope performances was the 1-2-3 finish of the Dutchmen in the triple jump -- Jonas Lawson (42-11 1/2), Cameron Lee (41-2 1/2) and David Dolfin (40-9 3/4). Other Hope first place performers were Jane Pearson, 300-meter hurdles (:47.89) and Steffon Mayhue, long jump (21-10).

Hope Teams Compete at Emory Invitational (3/23/13)
Team Scores / Complete Results
Hope track and field teams competed in the Emory University, Ga. Invitational on Friday and Saturday. The Flying Dutchmen repeated as the men's champion edging Marian, Ind. by eight points while host Emory won the women's meet with 165 points followed by Hope at 86.5.
Saturday Highlights: Hope had three event champions. Junior Sheri McCormack captured first place in the women's 1,500-meters seeded race (4:42.75), Kyle Anderson was the winner of the men's unseeded 1,500 meters (4:07.84) and Blake Rottschafer took the gold in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (9:38.95). Top-five finishes by Hope athletes included: Katie Hauge, 5th in 1,500 meters unseeded (5:12.76); Michell Kerr, 3rd in 5,000 meters (18:40.39); Amelia Stanley and Kaylee Kish, 3rd (9-4 1/4) and 4th (8-10 1/4) in pole vault; Joel Rietsema, 5th in 800 meters (1:57.28); James Rogers and Ben Zank were second (4:03.77) and fourth (4:05.06) in the seeded 1,500 meters; Sam Pederson, 5th in 5,000 meters (15:05.69);
Friday Highlights: Highlighting Friday's performances was the first place finish of senior Sarah Venlet in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.26). Other top-five finishes by Hope athletes included: Jane Pearson, 5th in 400 meter hurdles (1:09.88); Julia Stock and Kathryn Olsen, 2nd (11:39.15) and 5th (12:05.0) in the 3000-meter steeplechase; Catherine White, 3rd in long jump (16-8 1/4); Kelsi Vandeguchte, 2nd in javelin (107-7); John Stathakis, 2nd in 400-meter hurdles (:57.48); Zack Buth and David Tropp, tied for 3rd in high jump (6-1 1/2); Steffon Mayhue, 5th in long jump (21-4); and Evan Finch, 5th in hammer throw (142-2).

Hope Teams Begin Spring Break Training in Tennessee (3/16/13)
Results
Hope's track and field teams escaped Michigan's winter grip by competing in the non-scoring Rhodes College Open in Memphis, Tenn. on Friday and Saturday. Two senior athletes were champions in an event. Leading a field of Hope winners who took four of the top seven places, Blake Rottschafer captured the 5,000-meter run (15:21.48) while Sarah Venlet won the 400-meter hurdles (1:03.63).

Hope athletes finishing among the top five performers in an event were: Sheri McCormack and Julia Stock, 2nd (18:00.06) and 4th (18:34.64) in women's 5,000 meters; Ben Zank and Joseph Beemer, 3rd (15:34.98) and 5th in men's 5,000 meters; Joel Rietsema, 5th (4:24.28) in one mile run; David Tropp, 3rd in high jump (6-6); Amelia Stanley, 4th in pole vault (9-6 1/4); Kelsie Vandeguchte, 4th in javelin (105-0).

Coming off an unprecedented Hope track and field accomplishment in 2012, the Flying Dutchmen will be seeking to repeat as champions of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

A year ago both the Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch finished atop the MIAA standings, a first in the long history of Hope track and field. Hope's men were MIAA co-champions in 2011. For the sixth consecutive year, the Flying Dutchmen were named to the 2011-12 Division III All-Academic Honor Roll by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Coach Kevin Cole begins his eighth season with a robust pre-season roster of 55 athletes. There are 16 freshmen, seven sophomores, 21 juniors and 12 seniors. Co-captains are seniors Andrew Kreichelt of Northville (Northville HS), Jonas Lawson of Inkster, N.J. (Robichaud HS), and Joel Rietsema of Rockford (Rockford HS).

Joel Rietsema achieved NCAA Division III All-America status by finishing fourth in the 800-meter run in competition held in Claremont, Calif. He earlier in the spring established the Hope record for the event (1:50.32) and was the MIAA champion in the event with a league record time of 1:52.15.

Junior Steffon Mayhue of Holland (Holland HS) is the defending MIAA high jump champion (22-8 1/2). Two returning athletes, Steffon Mayhue and Andrew Kreichelt, were members of Hope's MIAA champion 4x100 relay team.

Returning athletes who had team-best performances in 2012 include Joel Rietsema in 400 meters (:49.80) and 800 meters (1:50.38); junior Chris Ryan of Vicksburg (Vicksburg HS), 3,000 meters (9:01.97); junior Sam Pederson of Mt. Prospect, Ill. (Prospect HS), 10,000 meters (32:07.58); senior Blake Rottschafer of Spring Lake (Spring Lake HS), 3,000 steeplechase (9:41.21); senior David Tropp of Lake Forest, Ill. (Lake Forest, Ill.), high jump (6-2 3/4); Steffon Mayhue, long jump (22-8 1/2); Jonas Lawson, triple jump (44-3 1/2); and junior Andrew Gilchrist of Holland (Holland HS), shotput (42-3 1/2).

Hope's Gordon M. Brewer outdoor track will be the site of the 122nd Field Day of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association on May 2-4.

Indoor Season Concludes at Trine Invitational (2/23/13)
Results
Hope's track & field teams concluded the indoor portion of their season by competing in the Trine Invitational on Saturday. The meet involved MIAA member colleges. Calvin won both the men's and women's meet. In the women's meet the Flying Dutch finished second and in the men's meet the Flying Dutchmen were fourth.

Hope Teams Continue Season Preparations (2/15/13)
Results
Hope's track and field teams continued their preparations for the season by competing in the non-scoring Grand Valley State Tuned-Up meet on Saturday. The meet attracted athletes from Division II, III and community colleges as well as unattached competitors. A Hope highlight was the winning performance of senior Sheri McCormack in the 3,000 meter (10:15.76).

Women: Top-ten Flying Dutchmen performances: Emily Smith, 10th in 60 meters (:08.54) and 8th in 60 meter hurdles (:09.97); Sarah Venlet, 10th in 200 meters (:27.02) and 7th in 60 meter hurdles (:09.91); Michelle Kerr, 8th in 3,000 meters (10:55.39); Jordyn Severt, 7th in high jump (4-9 1/2); Kristen Bosch, 8th in high jump (4-9 1/2); Erin Rajter, 10th in high jump (4-7 1/2); Kaylee Kish, 4th in pole vault (9-0 1/4); Janelle Kirsch, 6th in pole vault (8-6 1/4); Karina Winkelman, 4th in long jump (15-1 1/4) and 7th in triple jump (30-4 3/4); Katherine Afton, 9th in long jump (14-8 3/4); Amanda Thomas, 8th in shotput (34-1 1/2); Lindsay Nichols, 10th in shotput (31-7 1/4).
Men: Top ten Flying Dutchmen performances: Marois Boone, 4th in 60 meters (:07.10) and 8th in 200 meters (:22.76) ; Bryce Richards, 8th in 60 meters (:07.24); Steffon Mayhue, 9th in 60 meters (:07.29); Blake Rottschafer, 9th in 3,000 meters (8:38.61); Joseph Beemer, 6th in 5,000 meters (15:58.67); Gavin Midlam, 5th in 60 meter hurdles (:08.71); Zachary Brandwein, 7th in 60 meter hurdles (:09.33) and 7th in high jump (6-0 1/2); David Dolfin, ninth in 60 meter hurdles (:09.35); David Tropp, 5th in high jump (6-2 1/4); Zack Buth, 6th in high jump (6-0 1/2); Kyle McNicholas, 4th in pole vault (12-2 3/4); Steffon Mayhue, 4th in long jump (21-4); Chris Stewart, 6th in long jump (20-9); Jonas Lawson, 4th in triple jump (41-1) and 8th in long jump (19-3 1/2); Warren Hunt, 5th in triple jump (39-4 1/2) and 9th in long jump (18-6); and Dion Goliday, 10th in long jump (18-1 3/4).

Hope Teams Compete at Trine Invitational (2/1/13)
Men's Results / Women's Results
Members of the Hope track and field events continued their preparations for the season by competing in the non-scoring indoor Trine Invitational on Friday. Hope event winners were James Rogers, men's mile run (4:27.43) Blake Rottschafer, men's 3,000 meters (9:01.13); David Dolfin, men's triple jump (41-3 3/4); Morgan McCardel, women's 1,000 meters (3:07.19); and Sheri McCormack, women's mile run (5:12.64).

Hope Teams Compete in GVSU Invitational (1/18/13)
Results
Hope tracksters launched their season when they competed in the non-scoring Mike Lints Alumni Indoor Open hosted by Grand Valley State University. Hope was among 15 teams sending an estimated 800 athletes to the women's and men's meet. The meet provided a training opportunity for the outdoor season which begins in March. Hope is the defending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) champion in both men's and women's track & field. In the 5,000-meter run, junior Samuel Pederson finished second in a 41-runner field (15:25.92). In men's field events, senior Jonas Lawson placed third in the triple jump (40-5 1/2); senior David Tropp tied for seventh place in the high jump (5-10 3/4) and junior Steffon Mayhue was ninth in the long jump (20-7 3/4)

Tracksters Extend Academic Honors Streak (7/27/12)
For the sixth consecutive year, both Hope College track and field teams have been named to the 2011-12 Division III All-Academic Honor Roll by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

The honors bring to 11 the number of Hope athletic teams named to national academic honor rolls in 2011-12, joining men's and women's cross country, women's soccer, men's and women's swimming & diving, women's basketball, men's and women's tennis, and women's golf.

The Hope track and field teams are coached by Kevin Cole. The Flying Dutch maintained a 3.43 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale during the 2011-12 school year while the Flying Dutchmen had a 3.13 cumulative GPA.

The Hope teams had their most successful combined conference season in school history, the Flying Dutchmen winning outright the championship of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Flying Dutch finishing as co-champions.

Joel Rietsema is NCAA All-American in 800 Meters (5/26/12)
Hope junior Joel Rietsema of Rockford (Rockford HS) achieved NCAA Division III All-America status by finishing fourth in the 800-meter run in competition held in Claremont, Calif. Rietsema, seeded seventh in the nine-runner final, was timed in 1:50.72. He became Hope's second alltime NCAA All-American in the 800. The other was Steve Rabuck who was eighth at nationals in 2001 (1:51.86).

Rietsema earlier this spring established the Hope College record for the event (1:50.32). He was the MIAA champion in the event with a league record time of 1:52.15.

Kyle VanderVeen, Christian Calyore, Nathan Love, Steffon Mayhue, Joel Rietsema

All-MIAA Track & Field Teams Announced (5/9/12)
All-conference honors were presented to five Hope track and field athletes by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), highlighted by the selection of senior Kyle VanderVeen of Alto (Caledonia HS) as the league's most valuable male runner.

For the first time in school history, both Hope track and field teams were conference champions in the same year, the men's team winning the title outright and the women's team gaining a co-championship with rival Calvin.

A two-time All-MIAA honoree, VanderVeen was the conference champion in the 100 and 200 meter dashes and a member of Hope's winning 4x100 meter relay.

VanderVeen is joined on the All-MIAA team by senior Christian Calyore of Naples Fla. (Barron Collier HS), senior Nathan Love of Midland (Midland HS), sophomore Steffon Mayhue of Holland (Holland HS), and junior Joel Rietsema of Rockford (Rockford HS). Love earlier received All-MIAA honors in cross country.

Flying Dutchmen Hoist MIAA Championship Trophy (5/4/12)
Results / See Photos
For the first time in the history of Hope College track and field, both teams are champions of the MIAA in the same season.

Competing in the 121st MIAA Field Day, the Flying Dutchmen clinched their first outright men's league championship since 1986 while the Flying Dutch gained a co-championship in the women's standings for the first time since 1988.

Coach Kevin Cole's Flying Dutchmen won both the league jamboree and Field Day crown to claim the outright title. It ends a string of 18 consecutive outright or co-titles by Calvin. The Flying Dutch ended Calvin's domination of women's track and field, a streak that ran 22 straight years.

HOPE'S MIAA CHAMPIONS
4 x 100 Relay: Steffon Mayhue, Aaron Chew, Andrew Kreichelt, Kyle VanderVeen, :42.80
1,500 Meters: Nathan Love, 3:57.74
110 Meter Hurdles: Christian Calyore, :15.01
100 Meters: Kyle VanderVeen, :10.96
800 Meters: Joel Rietsema, 1:52.15 (MIAA Record)
200 Meters: Kyle VanderVeen, :22.00
Long Jump: Steffon Mayhue, 22' 8-1/2"

800 Meter Record is Established
Junior Joel Rietsema of Rockford (Rockford HS) established the Hope record 800-meter run, not once but twice.

Early in the season he bettered the 11-year-old mark with a time of 1:50.68. He later went 1:50.86 for the fifth fastest time in NCAA Division III in 2012.

The 800-meter record was first established in 1979 by Steve Hulst (1:53.0). Hope coach Kevin Cole broke the mark in 1987 with a time of 1:52.40. That record stood until 2001 when broken by Steve Rabuck (1:51.86)

Coach Cole honored Rietsema's accomplishement by presenting him the jersey worn by 1979 recordholder Steve Hulst.

2012 MIAA Tracksters of the Week
Joel Rietsema, junior from Rockford (Rockford HS)
Christian Calyore, senior from Naples, Fla. (Barron Collier HS)