Addyson Gerig became Hope College's seventh Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion in the high jump Thursday during the opening day of MIAA Field Day at Adrian College.

The sophomore from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS) cleared 1.56 meters (5 feet, 1 inch) and won a tiebreaker with teammate Alison Rich of Haslett, Michigan (Haslett), who finished runner-up.

Hope finished the first day of competition with a first-place total of 49.5 points. Trine (40) is in second, while Calvin (39) is third.

Gerig joined Christina Lis (2008), Shanna Van Zyl (2002), Kim Richardson (1999), Kelly Etheridge (1995), Sue Buikema (1988), and Uli Peinelt (1982) as MIAA high jump champions.

Gerig and Rich were among four Flying Dutch high jumpers to earn points.

Sophomore Hannah Bredeweg of Zionsville, Indiana (Zionsville) took fourth at 1.50 meters (4-11). Sophomore Mitchel Achien'g of Nairobi, Kenya (Kisumu) was sixth at 1.45 meters (4-9).

Two Hope discus throwers scored, including runner-up Gretchen Koster of Falmouth, Michigan (McBain) at 40.27 meters (132-2). Senior Haley Fischman of Grand Ledge, Michigan (Grand Ledge) was fourth at 37.95 meters (124-6).

In the hammer throw, senior Rachel Alford of Snohomish, Washington (Archbishop Murphy) came in third at 37.39 meters (122-7).

In the long jump, Achien'g placed fifth at 5.15 meters (16-10). Rich was sixth at 5.11 meters (16-9).

In the 10,000 meters, sophomore Sydney del Valle of Holland, Michigan (Black River) clocked an eighth-place time of 41 minutes, 16.18 seconds.