by Alan Babbitt
The Hope College men's cross country team relished the opportunity to compete again after a 22-month layoff.
Led by freshman Jimmy Alford, the Flying Dutchmen placed five runners in the top 20 at the non-scoring Olivet College Comet Open on Wednesday at Broadway Acres Golf Course in Charlotte.
It was Hope's first meet since the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional on November 16, 2019.
"It was exciting," head coach Mark Northuis said. "We had a couple of the upperclassmen that came to primarily work with the freshmen and help give them their first college experience. They got their feet wet. They know what running in college is about.
"There's nothing like a meet to bring everyone together. We couldn't have asked for a better experience."
Photo at right by Lynne Powe
Alward (Chelsea, Michigan / Chelsea HS), pictured, topped the Flying Dutchmen during the 5K race with a ninth-place time of 16 minutes, 34 seconds.
Senior Evan Bleitz (Saline, Michigan / Saline) placed 15th in the 65-runner field by clocking a run of 16:53.
Freshman Tyler King (Villa Park, Illinois / Willowbrook) crossed the finish line three seconds after Bletiz in 16th.
Freshman Ryan Allspach (Lansing, Michigan / Home School) took 17th at 16:57.
Junior Aidan Jones (West Olive, Michigan / West Ottawa) finished 20th at 17:05.
Sophomore Jack Tamlyn (Grand Rapids, Michigan / West Michigan Aviation) finished 23rd at 17;11.
Freshman Zane Bannink (Shorewood, Wisconsin / Shorewood) recorded a 25th-place time of 17:18.
Freshman Zealand Tarrant (Traverse City, Michigan / St. Francis) was 27th at 17:31.
Hope's next meet is Friday, September 17 at Michigan State University.
