HOLLAND -- Hope College will send its largest contingent of athletes to the NCAA Division III track and field championships in several years beginning Thursday (May 24) in Decatur, Ill.
Four men and two women have qualified in eight events for the competition which will be hosted by Millikin University through Saturday (May 26).
Last weekend three Hope track and field records were established in a "Last Chance" meet hosted by North Central College.
The men's and women's 800-meter records were improved by current recordholders. Senior Steve Rabuck of Myerstown, Pa. took nearly half-a-second off the men's mark with a time of 1:51.86 (previous mark, 1:52.27) and freshman Jennifer Price of Battle Creek took even more time off the women's standard with a clocking of 2:12.22 (previous mark, 2:12.85).
Senior Joe Kattelus of Okemos shattered the men's shot put record by more than a foot with a throw of 52 feet, 5 1/2 inches. Kattelus shared the previous mark of 51 feet, 1 inch with Matt Buys (1992).
Leading the qualifiers will be senior Emil Sowers of Grand Rapids who is a two-time All-American in the discus.
HOPE'S NATIONAL QUALIFIERS
Senior Joe Kattelus of Okemos (Okemos HS), shot put (52-5 1/2) and discus (162-1).
Freshman Jennifer Price of Battle Creek (Lakeview HS)., 800-meter run (2:12.22).
Sophomore Ed Perez of Hopkins (Hopkins HS), 400-meter intermediate hurdles (:53.25).
Senior Steve Rabuck of Myerstown, Pa. (Eastern Lebanon County HS), 800-meter run (1:51.86).
Senior Emily Sowers of Grand Rapids (GR Christian HS), discus throw (150-9) and shot put, 42- 6 3/4.
Senior Joe Veldman of Sawyer (River Valley HS), 5,000-meter run (14:41.90).