HIGHLIGHTS
Conference Champions
Women's Cross Country
Football
Women's Basketball
Women's Indoor Track & Field
NACDA Division III Director's Cup Standings
Hope ranked 22nd among 191 Division III institutions in the 2019-20 standings when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled play.
MIAA Commissioner's Cup
With the cancellation of the spring sports season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MIAA decides to not award the Commissioner's Cup in 2019-20. Hope was on its way to claim a record 38th Commissioner's Cup thru the winter sports season.
Otto van der Velde All-Campus Award Recipient
Mason Opple, Football, Men's Basketball and Baseball
John Schouten Award Recipient
Megan Bigelow, Women's Soccer
Historic Moments and Notable Performances
For only the second time in the history of Hope College Athletics, a season ends prematurely because of a national crisis. This year the COVID-19 pandemic cuts short the winter season and cancels the entire spring season. It last happened during World War II when the entire 1943-44 and 1944-45 seasons were canceled.
The Flying Dutch are the only NCAA Division III women's basketball team to go undefeated (29-0) albeit under unusual circumstances. The COVID-19 pandemic cuts short the team's run at a national championship, but in the end the Flying Dutch are ranked first in Division III by acclamation.
Avery Lowe '19, a former cross country and track and field runner, is awarded an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She is the 26th Hope College student-athlete to be chosen.
Fourteen Hope teams claim the MIAA Team GPA Award: Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Golf, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, Men's Outdoor Track & Field, Volleyball.
A total of 263 Hope student-athletes make the 30th annual MIAA Academic Honor Roll, including 28 seniors who receive the award for the fourth time.
Twelve Hope teams earn national academic team recognition from their respective coaching organizations: Men's and Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Volleyball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving, Baseball, Men's and Women's Track and Field, Women's Tennis.
FALL
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
MIAA Finish: Tied for Third Place
The Flying Dutchmen tie for third place at the MIAA Championships and finished 15th at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. Sophomore Nick Hoffman was named to the All-Region team. Junior Jacob Vander Roest, a chemistry major, is presented a prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. With a cumulative 3.43 grade point average, the team is presented the All-Academic Team Award by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Nick Hoffman received individual All-Academic honors. The traditional season-opening Vanderbilt Invitational is run on an all-campus route for the first time in decades. Nick Hoffman is the individual winner.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
MIAA Finish: First Place
The Flying Dutch win the MIAA championship a fifth consecutive year and qualify for the NCAA Championships behind a fourth-place finish at the Great Lakes Regional. It marks the tenth consecutive year that the Flying Dutch receive a bid to nationals. Receiving All-MIAA recognition are junior Jacinda Cole, senior Anna Frazee, senior Chelsea Miskelley and freshman Ana Tucker. Frazee, Miskelley and Tucker receive All-Region honors. Ana Tucker receives All-America honors as she leads the Flying Dutch at nationals with a 24th place finish. Other Hope finishers are #146 Ana Frazee, #200 senior Rebecca Duran, #224 Jacinda Cole, and #255 senior Kelly Peregrine. For an unprecedented 30th consecutive year the Flying Dutch earn All-Academic Team honors from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Rebecca Duran, Ana Frazee, Chelsea Miskelley, Jacinda Cole and Ana Tucker receive individual All-Academic recognition. Senior Chelsea Miskelley is named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in cross country and track & field. In addition to being a two-sport athlete, she had a double major of biochemistry and molecular biology. The women's cross country team receives the MIAA Academic Team Award for a 22nd consecutive year.
FOOTBALL
MIAA Finish: First Place
The Flying Dutchmen celebrate their most successful season in a decade going undefeated in the MIAA (7-0) and winning nine of their 10 regular season games. The championship is the first under coach Peter Stuursma '93. This marked the fourth season for Stuursma whose senior class posted a 32-9 record, including 23-3 against MIAA opponents. He was named the Region Coach-of-the-Year by the American Football Coaches Association. After losing their season-opener, the Flying Dutchmen reel off nine consecutive victories. The team advances to the NCAA Championship for the first time in 13 years and fifth time in program history. The Flying Dutchmen are picked to host a first-round game in the playoffs but run into a buzz saw losing to Wartburg, Iowa, 41-3. The Flying Dutchmen set a school record for points in a season (463), highlighted by an 80-6 victory over Defiance, Ohio. It was the largest margin-of-victory in program history. Seniors Mason Opple (quarterback) and Mason Dekker (linebacker) are chosen the MIAA's most valuable offensive and defensive player respectively. They are joined on the All-MIAA team by sophomore Kenyea Houston (running back), senior Christian Bos (receiver), senior Timothy Ivery (offensive tackle), senior Zach Smith (center), senior Jake Babb (defensive tackle), senior Luke Beckhusen (safety) and senior Austin Heeres (punter). Austin's father, Greg '85, was the All-MIAA quarterback his senior season. Ivery, Smith and Dekker were named to the All-Region team. Mason Opple is a semi-finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy awarded to the most outstanding Division III player. He set a Hope single season record for passing efficiency. He threw 195 passes without an interception in 2019. Senior center Zach Smith is named an American Football Coaches Association All-America team and is presented the Rimington Trophy as the outstanding center in Division III football. Zach Smith is also presented the coaches' Allan Kinney award for overall contribution to the team.
MEN'S GOLF
MIAA Finish: Second Place
The Flying Dutchmen finish second in the MIAA Fall regular season with an opportunity to compete in the NCAA Qualifying Tournament, but that is cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic cancellation of the spring sports season. Separated by less than a stroke per round, Hope places three golfers in the MIAA's Top Ten -- #5 freshman Jack Crawford, 74.5; #8 senior Daniel Settecerri, 75.0; and #9 freshman Drew Dykens, 75.3. Freshman Jack Crawford receives All-MIAA honors averaging 74.5 strokes per league round. Another freshman, Drew Dykens, was the medalist in a Jamboree behind a one-over-pass 72 at the Kalamazoo Country Club. Daniel Settecerri is named an Academic All-American by CoSIDA. A three-time All-MIAA golfer, he maintained a 3.99 grade point average majoring in biology.
WOMEN'S GOLF
MIAA Finish: Second Place
The Flying Dutch finish second in the MIAA Fall regular season with an opportunity to compete in the NCAA Qualifying Tournament, but that is cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic cancellation of the spring sports season. This is a team of the future with a roster consisting of two freshmen, six sophomores and two juniors. Hope's four leading golfers over the season were separated by less than one stroke were round – junior Jordyn Rioux, 83.5; junior Abby Meder, 83.67; sophomore Megan Jenkinson, 84.17; freshman Grace VanDellen, 84.33. Teammates Abigail Meder and Grace VanDellen were co-medalists shooting 80s at a League Jamboree at The Medalist. Five players are named All-America Scholars by the Women's Golf Coaches Association – Rita Cheney, Deanna DeLeeuw, Abigail Meder, Jordyn Rioux and Grace VanDellen.
MEN'S SOCCER
MIAA Finish: Second Place
The rivalry has never had as an exciting game in men's soccer than what occurred in the MIAA tournament finals. The two rivals battled through 110 minutes of scoreless play to force a shootout that would determine the MIAA's representative to the NCAA Championships. Calvin took the shootout 4-3 but Hope's season wasn't over as the Flying Dutchmen received an at-large bid to the tournament and an opportunity to host the first two rounds. Ohio Wesleyan got the best of the Flying Dutchmen, however, 2-1. Hope ends the season with a 14-6-1 record that includes 11 shutouts. Midfielders Isaac Braak and Ryan Flynn and defender Jordan Hooker receive All-MIAA honors. Freshman Alec Belcastro is chosen the MIAA's Newcomer of the Year. A senior, Braak is a three-time All-MIAA honoree. Senior forward Logan Bylsma leads the MIAA in scoring with seven goals. He led Hope in scoring for the second consecutive season with 13 goals, including five game-winners. A public accounting major, he is also named a CoSIDA Academic All-American. His father, Tom '86, was also an Academic All-American in baseball at Hope.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
MIAA Finish: Second Place
A bizarre season to say the least for the Flying Dutch who play to a tie six times and hold opponents scoreless in ten games. In the end the Flying Dutch post a 6-5-6 record. MIAA opponents scored only two goals against the Dutch. Senior midfielder Megan Bigelow and junior midfielder Maria Egloff are All-MIAA honorees. They are joined on the All-Region team by senior defender Corinne Cole. A business administration and economics double major, Bigelow was named a United Soccer Coaches All-Region Scholar.
VOLLEYBALL
MIAA Finish: Second Place
The Flying Dutch advance to the Regional finals of the NCAA Championships with a pair of come-from-behind victories. The Flying Dutch finished second in the MIAA standings and received an at-large berth to the post-season play after bowing to rival Calvin in the finals of the league tournament. Making their deepest run into the NCAA tournament since 2014, the Flying Dutch win back-to-back come-from-behind five set victories over the University of Texas-Dallas and Muskingum, Ohio. Playing their rival for the fourth time this season, the Flying Dutch had their tournament run end in four sets. Hope ends the season 24-8. Early in the season, coach Becky Schmidt records her 400th victory. Her record over 16 seasons at Hope is 419-114. Sophomores McKenna Otto and Ana Grunewald are named All-MIAA. A middle hitter, Otto is also named a second team All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. During the season she was named the Division III national player of the week. The Flying Dutch for an 11th consecutive year receive the Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
WINTER
MEN'S BASKETBALL
MIAA Finish: Sixth Place
The Flying Dutchmen experience a rare losing season, their first since 1979, ending sixth in the MIAA standings and finishing with a 12-14 record. The team does qualify for the conference tournament for a 29th consecutive year, but bow in the first round to Adrian, 83-73. Junior Preston Granger becomes the 42nd player in the storied history of Hope men's basketball to score 1,000 points. He'll enter his senior season with 1,158 points. Granger is named to the All-MIAA and All-Region teams. He averaged 20.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Greg Mitchell '89 posted his 100th victory as coach in a season-opening 84-72 victory over Ripon, Wisc. Hope is 111-55 in six seasons at the helm. A string of 46 consecutive victories dating back to 1998 over Kalamazoo comes to an end. Six players are named to the academic honor court of the National Association of Basketball Coaches – junior Ryan Gamm, junior Preston Granger, junior Calvin Hackert, senior Mason Opple, junior Sam Vree and senior Matt Zandstra.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
MIAA Finish: First Place
The Flying Dutch are number one in the nation in the most unusual way. Champions of the MIAA and the only remaining undefeated team in Division III women's basketball, the team won their first two games in the NCAA Championships and were getting ready for the Sectional tournament in a bid to advance to the Final Four for the fourth time in program history. Then COVID-19 hit, forcing the NCAA to pull the curtain on the winter season and leaving the remaining 16 teams in the field to only dream of being a national champion. A week later, in an empty DeVos Fieldhouse, coach Brian Morehouse and his team cut down the net to mark the close of their dream campaign. Hope's 29-0 season would not go unnoticed. The Flying Dutch ended ranked first in Division III by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and D3hoops.com. Brian Morehouse '91 marked an achievement during the season as he reached 600 victories the fastest for any men's and women's program at any local level. The 600th win came in his 690th game as coach, a 76-27 rout of an Olivet team coached by one of Morehouse's former players, Brittany Berry '15. For the second time in his career, Morehouse is named the Division III Coach of the Year by the WBCA and D3hoops.com. Over 24 seasons Morehouse's Flying Dutch have compiled a 611-90 record. Junior Kenedy Schoonveld is voted the MIAA's Most Valuable Player and is joined on the All-MIAA team by junior Olivia Voskuil who was also named the Defensive Player of the Week. Both are named to the All-Region team. Kenedy Schoonveld becomes Hope's eighth female basketball All-American. Kenedy's mother, Lisa Timmer Schoonveld '97, was also an All-MIAA basketball and softball honoree. The Flying Dutch lead all Division III teams in scoring defense (42.3 ppg) and margin of victory (33.4 points). With a 15-0 record at DeVos Fieldhouse, the team again tops Division III in home attendance averaging 1,162 fans per home game. The Flying Dutch earn a spot on the WBCA Academic Top 25 for their success in the classroom.
MEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING
MIAA Finish: Third Place
With first place finishes in seven events, the Flying Dutchmen finish third at the MIAA championships. Under second year coach Jake Taber, the Flying Dutchmen were set to compete at nationals in five relays and four individual events when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the NCAA to cancel the Championships. Highlighting the MIAA gold medal finishes was the school-record performance by the 800 freestyle relay (6:42.17). The team of freshman Bailey Smith, senior Daniel Clyde, freshman Gabe Boonstra and junior Daniel Keith broke a mark that went back to 1993. Their time was the 13th fastest in Division III this season. Sophomore diver Kamaron Wilcox won on both the one-meter and three-meter boards. He was Hope's first-ever champion in one-meter. Wilcox was voted the MIAA's Most Valuable Diver. Other MIAA champions were Daniel Clyde in the 200 Individual Medley with a school record time (1:50.76), the 400 Medley Relay of Daniel Keith, freshman Jack Muller, Gabe Boonstra and Daniel Clyde (3:19.70 SR), Gabe Boonstra, 200 freestyle (1:40.41), and Bailey Smith, 1,650 freestyle (16:02.91). Receiving All-MIAA honors were Kamaron Wilcox, Gabe Boonstra, Daniel Clyde, Daniel Keith and Bailey Smith. Clyde received All-MIAA honors four consecutive years. Diver Kamaron Wilcox finishes ninth on the one-meter board and 14th at three meters at the NCAA Regional. Four swimmers – Gabe Boonstra, Daniel Clyde, Daniel Keith and Bailey Smith – are declared All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that suddenly canceled sports seasons across the country, NCAA III individuals who were selected to compete in the national competition received CSCAA All-American distinction. Hope's honorees were scheduled to compete in the 800 freestyle relay. Three team members are named Scholar All-Americans by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association – senior Daniel Clyde, freshman Bailey Smith and sophomore Kamaron Wilcox. The Flying Dutchmen also claim CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honors.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING & DIVING
MIAA Finish: Second Place
In typical Rivalry fashion, the last event of the MIAA Championship comes down to Hope versus Calvin. After four days of competition and the accumulation of hundreds of points, the Flying Dutch and Lady Knights are tied for first place, each with 813 points. The 400 freestyle relay will decide the conference champion. First to the wall is Calvin. Junior Emma Schaefer is a triple winner at the championship meet capturing the 200 Individual medley (2:05.29, school record), 100 breaststroke (1:04.44, school record ) and 200 breaststroke (2:20.78). She was voted the league's Most Valuable swimmer. Schaefer has now been an individual event champion six times in her career. Other gold medal winners for the Flying Dutch were 800 freestyle relay (7:41.25) of Emma Schaefer, Sydney Randall, freshman Emily Kurt and freshman Tarah Lang; 400 medley relay (3:52.76) of senior Erin Emmert, Emma Schaefer, freshman Jenna Kloosterman and Emily Kurt, Tarah Lang, 200 freestyle (1:54.40), sophomore Emma Engle, 1,650 freestyle (17:41.14). Seniors Paula Nolte and Erin Emmert receive All-MIAA honors a fourth consecutive year. They are joined on the All-MIAA team by junior Hope Reynolds, Emma Schaefer, Emma Engle, Emily Kurt, and Tarah Lang. With the 20th fastest time in Division III in the 200 individual medley (2:05.29), Emma Schaefer qualifies for nationals, but the COVID-19 pandemic causes the NCAA to cancel the Championships. She would also have competed in the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Schaefer was declared an All-American by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic that suddenly canceled sports seasons across the country, NCAA III individuals who were selected to compete in the national competition received CSCAA All-American distinction. Junior Emma Schaefer is named a Scholar All-American by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association. The Flying Dutch also claim CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honors.
MEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
MIAA Finish: Third Place
The Flying Dutchmen have two event champions in finishing third at the MIAA Championships. Senior Owen Ljung won 800 meters (1:56.83) and freshman Zach Elmore cleared 14 feet, 3 inches to capture the pole vault. Ljung came out of the slowest heat to win his event. Ljung was joined by senior Korey Derr (60-meter dash), sophomore Nick Hoffman (mile run) and senior Josh Izenbart (heptathlon) on the Great Lakes All-Region team. Hoffman earlier was named All-Region in cross country.
WOMEN'S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
MIAA Finish: First Place
With champions in six events the Flying Dutch capture their second MIAA title in three years. Senior Mitchel Achien'g is a triple winner capturing the gold medal in 60 meter hurdles (:09.02), long jump (17-6 ¾) and triple jump (36-11). She set an MIAA record in the triple jump and established a conference mark in the hurdles in the prelims (:08.95). She competed in five events in all placing third in 60-meters (:08.02) and fifth in 200-meters (:26.94). Senior Addyson Gerig wins the high jump for the third straight year with a Hope and MIAA record jump of 5-3. Senior Anna Frazee is the winner in the 3,000-meter run (10:18.81). She anchored Hope's winning the distance relay (12:55.03) with a team of junior Sydney del Valle, freshman Lily Tripp and freshman Ellie Jankowski. Their winning time is nearly a minute faster than the second place finisher. Mitchel Achien'g is named the MIAA's Most Valuable Field Athlete for the second year in-a-row. Joining her on the All-MIAA team are Addyson Gerig, Anna Frazee, Sydney del Valle, Lily Tripp and Ellie Jankowski. Sophomore Jenna Breuker establishes a Hope record in the shotput (39-11 ¼) during the season. Dreams of competing at the NCAA Championship were dashed when the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation. Two Hope athletes were scheduled to compete in the 3,000-meter run, Ana Tucker seeded ninth and Anna Frazee 19th. Named to the Great Lakes All-Region team are Mitchel Achien'g, Ana Tucker, Anna Frazee, senior Sally Hansma, senior Hannah Kenny and senior Chelsea Miskelley. Ana Tucker and Anna Frazee are named Division III All-Americans by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. They are the first Hope All-Americans in indoor track and field.Six members of the team are named All-Academic Athletes by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association – senior Mitchel Achien'g, senior Anna Frazee, senior Sally Hansma, senior Hannah Kenny, senior Chelsea Miskelley and freshman Ana Tucker.
SPRING
Seasons in baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, and outdoor track & field are canceled by CORONAVIRUS
BASEBALL
An RBI single in the season opener defines the career of Mason Opple. The third inning hit raised Opple's career RBI total to 120 to surpass the previous career mark of 119 by Mike VanBeek from 2000-03. He collected one more RBI before the COVID-19 forced cancellation of the rest of the season. A three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball), he ends with a career .361 batting average.
MEN'S TENNIS
Senior Danny Kroeze is presented the Lawrence Green Award for outstanding academic performance by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Danny Kroeze, Jacob Burkett and Tyler Koran receive Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar Athlete honors.
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Senior Amanda Bandrowski is named Central Region Senior Player of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). During the season she was chosen the ITA Division III national Player of the Week. She was ranked 42nd in the nation with a 9-2 singles record when the COVID-19 pandemic cut short the season. She was on her way to becoming the winningest Hope singles player. The mark remains at 87-17 by Audrey Coates from 1994-97. Bandrowski ends at 84-14. Seniors Amanda Bandrowski and Claire Hallock are declared All-Americans by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. They were eighth and 17th respectively in the season's final Division III singles rankings. Hallock is Hope's first two-time All-American in singles. Hallock this season was 7-2 when the COVID-19 pandemic cut short her career. Her career singles record was 79-13. Claire Hallock is presented the Karen Caine Scholar-Athlete Award by the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Amanda Bandrowski, Bailey Chorney, Brigid DeVries, Claire Hallock, Leah Newhof and Delanie Riebschleger also claim ITA Scholar Athlete honors. The Flying Dutch also claim ITA All-Academic Team distinction.
MEN'S LACROSSE
Senior Gareth Ulmer is a finalist for the 2020 One Love Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award. He is one of 10 finalists from Division III. The award recognizes the accomplishments of student-athletes who help their teams achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. The honor places value on kindness and generosity, characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse.
MEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD
The Flying Dutchmen receive United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Academic Team honors.
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Senior Chelsea Miskelley is named a CoSIDA Academic All-American in cross country and track & field. In addition to being a two-sport athlete, she had a double major of biochemistry and molecular biology. Mitchel Achien'g, Anna Frazee, Sally Hansma, Hannah Kenny, Chelsea Miskelley and Ana Tucker all claim United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Scholar Athlete honors. The Flying Dutch also receive USTFCCCA All-Academic Team distinction.
