For an precedented 14th consecutive year, both Hope College cross country teams have been honored for academic excellence.
The College Cross Country Coaches Association recently announced its Team Academic All-Americans for the fall 2003 season. As they have for every year since 1990, coach Mark Northuis' men's and women's teams are each on the honor roll. Northuis has coached the Hope cross country program since 1988.
Hope is the only college in all of NCAA Division III to achieve this honor for both of its teams (men and women) for 14 consecutive years.
To qualify for the award, a team needed a minimum cumulative team grade point average of 3.10 on a 4.0 scale and also have competed at an NCAA III regional meet.
The women's team ranked 33rd among NCAA Division III squads with a cumulative 3.50 GPA. The leading women's team is Goucher College, Md. with a 3.76 GPA.
The men's team ranked 62nd among NCAA Division III colleges with a cumulative 3.10 grade point average. The leading men's team is Carnegie-Mellon University, Pa. with a 3.57 GPA.
In addition, four Hope athletes received individual Academic All-America status for having a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Freshman Ashley Dean of Cadillac, Mich. (Cadillac HS) was one of only 17 runners in all of Division III to achieve a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Other Hope athletes honored were senior Peter Derby of Cadillac, Mich. (Cadillac HS), 3.60; freshman Monique Hoyle of Delton, Mich. (Delton Kellogg HS), 3.82; freshman Ryan TerLouw of Pella, Iowa (Pella HS), 3.87.