The Hope College men's cross country team has been named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III 2013 Scholar Teams of the Year.

Coach Mark Northuis' Flying Dutchmen recorded a 3.32 GPA to be one of 146 teams nationally to earn the USTFCCCA recognition. Teams must have a GPA 3.1 or higher to qualify for the award.

"Every year we establish team academic goals. Earning this academic award for this many consecutive years is a whole team effort that we take very seriously," Northuis said. "It also reflects the quality of student-athletes that Hope College attracts. We are also very proud to recognize the seven individual Academic All-Americans and the DIII Elite 89 recipient. Our teams continue to excel in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields."

Individually, Hope had three athletes claim individual Scholar Athlete recognition with a GPA of 3.3 or higher and a finish in the top 25 percent at their regional meet:

Senior James Rogers of Saginaw (Valley Lutheran HS), pictured, owns a 3.89 GPA while majoring in communication.

Junior Ben Zank of Midland (H.H. Dow HS) carries a 3.72 GPA while majoring in business.

Senior Samuel Pederson of Mt. Prospect, Ill. (Prospect HS), has a 3.61 GPA while majoring in education.

Rogers, Zank and Pederson were among 228 individual Division III honorees.

Last fall, the Flying Dutchmen finished ninth at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional and runner-up in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.