by Alan Babbitt
Mitchel Achien'g continues to quickly make her mark in the triple jump for the Hope College women's track & field team.
The junior from Nairobi, Kenya (Kisumu School) tied the outdoor triple jump school record during a 112-86, non-league victory against visiting Calvin College on Friday at Brewer Track.
Achien'g, pictured at left, posted a first-place effort of 11.32 meters (37 feet, 1 ¾ inches) that matched Shaelie Harper's 2010 Flying Dutch record.
Two months ago, Achien'g had never tried the triple jump. Now, she is the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association indoor champion and school record-holder in the event, as well the outdoor co-record holder.
"She's coming on really strong. She's fifth in the nation right now," head coach Kevin Cole said. "It hasn't taken her very long to really master it. It's just amazing how quickly she's shown what she can do."
Achien'g won two additional individual events during the meet: the 200-meter dash in 27.41 seconds, the long jump with a leap of 5.39 meters (17-8 ¼).
She also anchored the winning 4x100 relay.
Hope took first in 11 events total.
Freshman Jenna Breuker of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Northern) won the discus with a toss of 38.28 meters (125-7) and the shot put with a heave of 12.98 meters (42-7). She also finished runner-up in the hammer throw (39.27 meters, 128-10).
Senior Allison VanderStoep of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa) took first in the 400 hurdles by clocking a time of 1:09.28.
Junior Nicole Kruithof of Byron Center, Michigan (South Christian) clocked a winning 400-meter run of 1:01.40.
Junior Hannah Huizen of Jenison, Michigan (Jenison) posted a first-place, 100-meter time of 13.34 seconds.
Sophomore Jacinda Cole of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa) won the 3,000 meters in 10:48.07.
Hope's 4x100 relay of Huizen, VanderStoep, Kruithof and Achien'g recorded a first-place effort of 51.60.
The Flying Dutch's 4x400 relay won with Kruithof, VanderStoep, junior Hailey Pickelheimer of Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty), and freshman Sophie Hall of Haslett, Michigan (Holt) going 4:19.32.
Hope's next meet is Saturday, April 6 at the Wheaton College (Invitational).
