The regionally ranked Hope College men's cross country team looks to challenge for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion and a spot at the NCAA Division III Championship during the 2016 season.
Coach Mark Northuis and the Flying Dutchmen enter the season ranked ninth in the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association Great Lakes Regional poll. They finished 11th at last season's regional meet and second place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Hope will be on familiar ground for this year's regional meet. The Flying Dutchmen are hosting it at West Ottawa Golf Course.
Head coach: Mark Northuis
Assistant coaches: Patrick Weisgerber, Brian VanZanten
Roster: 24 runners
Class breakdown: Seniors - 4, Juniors - 5, Sophomores - 7, Freshmen - 8
Runners to watch: Junior Tyler Brinks and Julian Morrison both were among Hope's top runners at last season's MIAA and regional meets. So was junior Ben Pederson.
Key departures: Joseph Beemer, Ben Zank, Matt Rolain, Kyle Anderson. Beemer was an all-region runner last season.
2016 opener: Saturday, Sept. 3 by hosting Vanderbilt Invitational at Ridge Point Community Church.
Of note: The Flying Dutchmen claimed USTFCCCA All-Academic Team honors last season as well as the MIAA Team GPA award. Twelve Hope runners made the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.
Check below to watch a video interview with Coach Northuis.
