The Hope College men's track & field team is on the verge of celebrating its first All-America relay.
The Flying Dutchmen closed in on a top-eight finish and All-America recognition at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship Thursday in Waverly, Iowa, by qualifying for Saturday's final in the 4x100-meter relay.
The group of senior Dion Goliday of Muskegon, Michigan (Oakridge HS), freshman Justin Freeman of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), junior Matt Pelyhes of Augusta, Michigan (Gull Lake HS) and senior Boone Marois of Traverse City, Michigan (Central HS) clocked a preliminary time of 41.40 seconds.
It was the eighth-fastest effort Thursday. Hope edged ninth-place Mount Union, Ohio by 0.01 for the last spot in Saturday's 1:05 p.m. Central final.
The top finishers in each individual event and relay claim All-America honors.
The Flying Dutchmen were seeded 11th coming into the meet. All of the qualifying teams were within one second of each other.
One Hope men's athlete is competing on Friday.
Junior Nicholas Salomon of Troy, Michigan (Detroit Jesuit HS) Salomon is one of 20 men's runners racing for one of eight berths in the championship race on Saturday.
The 2016 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association 800-meter champion earned his berth with a qualifying time of 1 minute, 51.12 seconds at the Grand Valley State University Al Owens Invitational on April 23 in Allendale, Michigan.
Salomon is scheduled to race Friday at 5:45 p.m. Central. Click here to read more.
Click here to watch live video of Friday's meet.
Click here for an event schedule and live results.
