The Hope College women's swimming & diving team returns a NCAA Division III All-American diver and seven All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association honorees as it looks to excel during the 2014-15 season.
Coach John Patnott's Flying Dutch feature a roster of 28 swimmers and divers. There are five seniors, 11 juniors, five sophomores and seven freshmen.
Patnott is entering his 35th season as Hope's head coach. He has coached 118 All-Americans and had national champions 30 times during his 34-season Hope career. He has also had 41 Academic All-Americans since 1984.
Team co-captains are senior Lauren Girard of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), junior Sarah Sheridan of Richmond, Indiana (Richmond HS), and junior Lindsay Wiederhold of Plainwell, Michigan (Plainwell HS).
Sheridan, pictured at right, claimed All-America recognition in both 1- and 3-meter diving as a sophomore with seventh-place finishes in both events. She was Hope's first All-American in 3-meter diving.
Sheridan and Wiederhold both are seeking the third All-MIAA recognition of their careers. So is junior returnee Klare Northuis of Holland, Michigan (Holland HS).
The Flying Dutch also bring back five other All-MIAA performers: junior Erica Dunham of Rockford, Michigan (Rockford HS), junior Michelle Hance of Noblesville, Indiana (Noblesville HS), sophomore Molly Meyer of South Bend, Indiana (John Adams HS), and junior Jorgie Watson of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Catholic Central HS).
Hope graduated one All-MIAA swimmer: Maria Kieft of Spring Lake, Michigan (Spring Lake HS).
The Flying Dutch open the 2014-15 season on Oct. 18 when the Flying Dutch host the MIAA Relays at Holland Community Aquatic Center.
Hope is looking to challenge reigning MIAA champion Calvin after finishing second for the 10th consecutive time last season. The two teams meet in a dual meet on Jan. 24 at Calvin.
The Flying Dutch will have three home dual meets at Kresge Natatorium this season: Oct. 25 vs. Alma, Nov. 8 vs. Kalamazoo and Jan. 16 vs. Albion.
The Flying Dutch also will host the 2015 MIAA Championships on Feb. 11-14 at Holland Community Aquatic Center.
Hope is aiming to qualify swimmers and divers for the March 18-21 NCAA Division III National Championships in Shenandoah, Texas.
