by Alan Babbitt
Four members of the Hope College men's and women's outdoor track & field teams have earned all-region honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Three are representing the Flying Dutchmen: senior Justin Freeman of Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa HS), junior Josh Izenbart of Glenwood, Illinois (Homewood-Flossmoor) and junior Owen Ljung of Sonoma, California (Sonoma Valley).
The Flying Dutch's recipient is junior Mitchel Achien'g of Nairobi, Kenya (Kisumu).
Top-5 individuals in each event from each region earned All-Region honors, in addition to each of the members of a top-3 ranked relay teams.
Freeman is recognized for his performances in the 100- and 200-meter runs. He was named the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Most Valuable Track Athlete this spring.
Both Freeman and Izenbart have qualified to compete at this week's NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio.
Izenbart and Ljung claimed their all-region honors in the decathlon and 800-meter run, respectively.
Achieng earned her award in the heptathlon.
A total of 1915 honors were handed out to athletes from USTFCCCA member institutions, which included a near-even split between men's (951) and women's programs (964).
