The 18th-ranked Hope College women's cross country team is bidding for a third consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship on Saturday in Tecumseh, Michigan.

The Flying Dutch will race at 12:15 p.m. at Raisin Valley Golf Club. The meet is hosted by Adrian College.

Saturday's outcome will count two-thirds toward the overall championship. Hope won the MIAA Jamboree earlier this fall that is worth one-third with a total of 34 points.

MIAA Championship Website

The Flying Dutch finished ahead of second-place Calvin College (48) and third-place Trine University (92).

Head coach Mark Northuis said his team is in a good position heading into the MIAA Championship.

"Women are racing very mature. Things don't rattle them," Northuis said. "They get out and if things need to be adjusted, they adjust. They have Great leadership. They're racing just like they're training. They're pushing each other and holding each other accountable."

At the MIAA Jamboree, Hope posted seven of the top 19 times. Junior Emily Hamilton led the Flying Dutch with a second-place finish.

Hope also picked up points from sophomore Chelsea Miskelley of Holland, Michigan (Black River) in fourth, senior Rachael Webb of Grandville, Michigan (Grandville) in fifth, senior Alexis Guttilla of St. Charles, Illinois (Westminster Christian) in seventh, and senior Alissa Frazee of Watervliet, Michigan (Home School) in 16th.

"We have to take care of business in the top five. That's where the scoring takes place," Northuis said. "We're pretty well evenly matched in the middle of our packs. We're deeper than Calvin is. We hope to have our No. 6 and 7 runners go up and push their fifth runner back."