by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College women's cross country team is ranked 14th in NCAA Division III in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association Preseason Poll.

The Flying Dutch totaled 217 points. Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) was No. 1 with 350 points.

Earlier in the week, Hope topped the USTFCCCA's Great Lakes Region women's poll. The Flying Dutchmen were ninth in the men's regional poll.

The next USTFCCCA national rankings will be announced on Wednesday, September 15. 

Led by head coach Mark Northuis, Hope opens the season on Wednesday, September 1 at the Olivet College Comet Open at Broadway Acres Golf Course in Charlotte. It will be the first meet in 648 days for the Flying Dutch and 655 days for the Flying Dutchmen.