HOPEYs Photo gallery from Tom Renner
TEAM AWARDS
MIAA Championship Performance — Presented to the team deemed to have the best or most significant performance in an MIAA Championship match, series, or tournament in a given year.
Women's Swimming & Diving – The Flying Dutch won the 2019 MIAA Swimming & Diving Championship for the first time since 2004. Hope edged defending-champion Calvin by 17 points over the course of the three-and-half day meet. The Flying Dutch swam to nine individual titles, three relay wins, seven NCAA B-cut marks, and three school records on their way to the MIAA title.
Photo of HOPEYs award recipients by Tom Renner
Exceptional Team Performance — Presented to the team that played the most impressive game or had the most significant win in a given year.
Softball at NCAA Regional – In a must-win situation on the final day of the 2018 NCAA Softball Regional, the Flying Dutch delivered two victories over Calvin to advance to the NCAA Super Regional. The first game of the day saw RBIs from five different Flying Dutch as Hope took the game, 9-6. To secure the NCAA Regional Title, Hope shut out Calvin 2-0 behind a solid pitching performance in the second game of the day. The victories advanced Hope to their first Super Regional in the current NCAA format.
Outstanding Team — Presented to the team deemed to be the most outstanding in a given year.
Men's Golf – The Flying Dutchmen reclaimed the MIAA Title this fall, finishing 52 strokes ahead of runner-up Calvin. Hope finished the fall season with a six-round total of 1708 for an MIAA-record average of 286.3 strokes. This shattered Hope's previous MIAA record for a six-round average of 293.3 in 2016.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Female Exceptional Individual Performance — Presented to the female athlete who had the best performance in an individual event in a given year.
Rylie Dalton, Women's Soccer – In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Dalton scored two first-half goals for the Flying Dutch to secure the team's 2-1 victory over Otterbein. This win advanced Hope to the NCAA round of 16 for the first time in program history.
Male Exceptional Individual Performance — Presented to the male athlete who had the best performance in an individual event in a given year.
Dan Clyde, Men's Swimming & Diving – On the second night of the 2019 MIAA Swimming & Diving Championships, Clyde won the 400-yard individual medley with a time of 3:57.51. This performance garnered him a NCAA B-cut time. Clyde's time in the event took down a nine-year-old school mark of 3:57.71, as well as a MIAA meet record of 4:00.24. It now stands as the fastest time in MIAA history.
Female Newcomer of the Year — Presented to a female, a freshman or a transfer, who made a significant impact within his or her sport in a given year.
McKenna Otto, Volleyball – In her rookie season for Hope, Otto was named the MIAA Volleyball Freshman of the Year and a first team All-MIAA member. A middle hitter, she led the team with 3.16 kills per set during league matches. Otto had the fourth-best hitting percentage against MIAA foes at .344. She also earned AVCA First Team All-Region honors on the year.
Male Newcomer of the Year — Presented to a male, a freshman or a transfer, who made a significant impact within his or her sport in a given year.
Evan Maday, Baseball – During his freshman season, Mayday started all 42 games for the Flying Dutchmen. He hit .373 and led the team in several offensive categories. Maday was named to the All-MIAA first team.
Breakthrough Athlete in an Individual Sport — Presented to an athlete (sophomore and above) that has made the best or most significant breakthrough in his or her individual sport in a given year.
Daniel Settecerri, Men's Golf – After seeing limited playing time in MIAA contests during his freshman year, Settecerri received All-America, Honorable Mention honors for the 2018 season, recognizing him as one of the top men's golfers in NCAA Division III. He averaged 73.2 strokes per 18 holes in his second season with the Flying Dutchmen.
Breakthrough Athlete in a Team Sport — Presented to an athlete (sophomore and above) that has made the best or most significant breakthrough in his or her team sport in a given year.
Logan Bylsma, Men's Soccer – During the 2017 season, Bylsma played in nine games, made two starts, and recorded one goal. This year, Bylsma played in and started in all 18 games for the Flying Dutchmen. He led the team in scoring with 14 goals and was named to the All-MIAA Second Team. Bylsma also received Academic All-American honors this year.
Comeback Player of the Year — Presented to an athlete who has re-emerged on the field of play after overcoming adversity in the previous season due to an injury, illness, or other personal commitments.
Gareth Ulmer, Men's Lacrosse – During the 2017 season, Ulmer fractured his L3 and two L4 vertebrae, which resulted in surgery and several months in a brace. He rejoined the Flying Dutchmen team to start as a long stick midfielder in 2018. Ulmer caused 42 turnovers on the season and was ranked 28th in the NCAA with 2.53 caused turnovers per game.
Role Player of the Year — Presented to a non-starter, irrespective of gender, who made a significant contribution to the success of the team.
Allison VanderStoep, Women's Track & Field – VanderStoep has always been willing to do whatever it takes to make the team better. She has competed in a variety of events for the Flying Dutch to help the team. These include the 60-meter run, 100-meter run, 400-meter hurdles, high jump, 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash, and thrown the javelin. VanderStoep is always supportive of her teammates and is a great encourager.
Female Athlete of the Year — Presented to the female athlete deemed to be the most exceptional in a given year.
Meghan Peel, Women's Swimming & Diving – In her sophomore season, Peel was national runner-up in the 200-yard backstroke and finished ninth in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2019 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships. Her time in the 200-yard backstroke ranks 10th all-time in Division III in the event. At the MIAA Swimming & Diving Championships, Peel was named the MIAA Most Valuable Swimmer after winning three individual events and three relays at the 2019 MIAA Swimming & Diving Championships. She set two individual records for the Flying Dutch in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke along with two relay records in the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard medley relay. Peel received All-American honors for her performances this season.
Male Athlete of the Year — Presented to the male athlete deemed to be the most exceptional in a given year.
Mason Opple, Football and Baseball – As a quarterback, Opple was named to the All-MIAA First Team after passing for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns during MIAA games while rushing for a team-best 738 yards and 12 touchdowns. Opple threw just one interception in 131 attempts against league opponents. He had a completion percentage of 64.1 percent (84-131). On the baseball team, Opple played in all 42 games in the 2018 season and finished the year with a .333 batting average. He received All-MIAA Second Team honors last spring.
Be Strong. Be True. Female Athlete of the Year — A junior or senior who demonstrates the true essence of being a student-athlete and embodies the Division III motto of Discover, Develop, Dedicate. This student-athlete is in high academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.75), plays a significant role on the team, and is involved in the Hope and Holland community.
Eliza Beird, Women's Soccer – As a Kinesiology, Exercise Science major, Beird plans to pursue a career in prosthetics and orthotics after graduation. Beird was a four-year starter for the Flying Dutch and team captain her senior year. In her final season for Hope, she received All-MIAA First Team honors and was recognized as a Second Team All-Region player by the United States Soccer Coaches. Off the field, Beird is a mentor for students at Holland Heights, volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club, and coaches with local soccer teams. She serves on ACT/SAAC and Mortar Board and is involved with Athletes in Action.
Be Strong. Be True. Male Athlete of the Year — A junior or senior who demonstrates the true essence of being a student-athlete and embodies the Division III motto of Discover, Develop, Dedicate. This student-athlete is in high academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.75), plays a significant role on the team, and is involved in the Hope and Holland community.
Mason Dekker, Football – As a captain for the Flying Dutchmen, Dekker helped lead Hope to an 8-2 season. He earned All-MIAA Second Team honors as he made 35 tackles and collected one sack against MIAA foes at the linebacker position. Dekker is an education major with a minor in psychology and plans to pursue a career as a social studies teacher. He is passionate about engaging with campus and has served as a designated group representative for Dance Marathon. In the Holland community, Dekker mentors students at Holland Heights, serves as a Life Group leader at Engedi Church, and works with Camp Sunshine during the summers.
Bunko Service Award — Presented to a faculty or staff member who is connected to Hope Athletics and recognized for their contributions that go above and beyond what is expected. It is in honor of Norman "Bunko" Japinga, who passed away in the fall of 2018 and left behind a legacy of service within our athletic program.
Hope College bus drivers — Mark Bos, John Gant, Jack Lynn, Jim Marcus and Dan Smith
Karen Page Courage Award — Presented to an individual in Hope Athletics who exhibits the courage and tenacity to continue to play and compete despite overcoming adversity. The award is named in honor from Karen Page, former Hope College women's tennis coach who passed away in the summer of a 2009 after a brave battle with breast cancer.
Rachael Braginton — Women's soccer senior forward.
Hope For Humanity Award — Presented to Hope College alumni athletes who have demonstrated Christian commitment and service to others in their careers after Hope.
Kurt Avery — Class of 1974. Former soccer and baseball player
NOMINEES
Full list of HOPEYs award nominees
