The Hope College men's swimming & diving team placed third in the 800-yard relay on Wednesday during Day 1 of the 2015 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championships at Holland Community Aquatic Center.

Sophomore Ryan Johnson of Milford, Michigan (International Academy), junior Duncan MacLean of Grand Rapids, Michigan (East Grand Rapids HS), senior Christopher Waechter of Ventura, California (Foothill Technology) and freshman Charles Emmert of Grand Blanc, Michigan (Flint Powers Catholic HS), clocked a season-best time of 6 minutes, 53.57 seconds.

Hope bettered its previous season best of 7:06.64 from the Wheaton (Illinois) Invitational in December.

Photo of diver Kyle Weck by Lynne Powe

Albion won the relay in 6:46.10, while Calvin was runner-up at 6:51.71. Albion grabbed the early lead with 40 points, while Calvin is second with 34 and Hope third with 32. Kalamazoo is fourth with 30 points and is followed by Alma (28) and Olivet (26).

The four-day MIAA Championships resume on Thursday, February 12, at 10 a.m. with preliminaries. The finals begin at 5:30 p.m.

Click here for the MIAA Championships page.