Abby Koops dives at the NCAA Division III Champioinships.

Women's Swimming and Diving 10/15/2022 8:54:00 AM Alan Babbitt

Women's Swimming and Diving 2022-23 Season Preview

The nationally-ranked Flying Dutch bring back 24 letterwinners.

Sophomore Abby Koops

The Hope College women's swimming and diving team is looking to make another big splash in the pool this season.

The Flying Dutch are coming off their 23rd MIAA championship all-time and their third in four years. Hope swept the men's and women's league titles last march for the first time since 2004.

The women's team went on to finish 18th at the NCAA Division III Championships. Swimmer Sara Kraus earned two All-America honors at nationals with a fifth-place effort in the 200 backstroke and a seventh-place swim in the 100 backstroke.

Led by head coach Jake Taber, the Flying Dutch return 24 letterwinners on their roster of 35, including six of their seven qualifiers for nationals last season and four All-MIAA honorees.

National Rankings

The Flying Dutch are ranked 13th in the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America NCAA Division III poll. With 245 points, Hope is the highest-ranked MIAA team.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Jake Taber '04, fifth season
Diving Coach: Becca Garza
Assistant Coaches: Dave Jolly, Matt Hedman

2022-23 Roster

The Flying Dutch feature six seniors, 10 juniors, nine sophomores and 10 freshmen on their roster.

Sophomore Sara Kraus enjoyed a sensational freshman campaign, qualifying for nationals and making the finals in both backstroke events. The exercise science major claimed MIAA Women's Swimmer of the Year honors after winning both backstrokes, including an MIAA record in the 200 as well as the 200 individual medley. Kraus (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford)helped the Flying Dutch set an MIAA record in the 400 medley relay and take first in the 800 freestyle relay at the league meet.

Sophomore Abby Koops recorded an impressive debut collegiate season on the boards. The nursing major qualified for nationals at the regional meet. Kraus (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford) earned MIAA Women's Diver of the Year honors after winning MIAA 1- and 3-meter titles. Koops was named MIAA Diver of the Week four times.

Senior Alyssa Kerkman helped the Flying Dutch qualify for the NCAA B Final in the 200 medley relay and finish 11th at nationals. The nursing major claimed Honorable Mention All-America honors and made the All-MIAA Team. Kerkman (South Bend, Indiana / St. Joseph) was voted as Hope's Female Breakthrough Athlete of the Year.

Junior Madeline Tessin also swam on the Flying Dutch's 200 medley relay team at nationals. An exercise science major, Tessin (Waxhaw, N.C. / Marvin Ridge) was the MIAA champion in the 50 freestyle as a freshman.

Sophomore Katie Weedon competed in Hope's 800 freestyle relay that finished 21st at nationals. The nursing major from Whitinsville, Massachusetts also swam on the Flying Dutch's MIAA championship relay in the event.

Junior Delaney Wesolek raced on the Flying Dutch's 400 medley and 800 freestyle relays that qualified for nationals. The nursing major from Bay City, Michigan (John Glenn) was a member of the MIAA champion 800 freestyle relay.

Head coach Jake Taber said, "We're really fortunate we have the core of both teams back. Obviously, every year graduation presents some challenges, but I think the foundation of both teams is back here. We're hoping to build on what we accomplished last year. Last year's reigning MVP on the boards, Abby Koops, as well as in the pool Sara Kraus, are returning for their sophomore campaigns this year. We also have a couple of returning national qualifiers: Delaney Wesolek, Madeline Tessin, Alyssa Kerkman and Katie Weedon. We're really excited about where we're at right now."

2022-23 Schedule

The Flying Dutch split their team during the first weekend of competition on Friday-Saturday, Oct. 14-15, with divers headed to the Kenyon College Fletch Invitational hosted at Ohio University and swimmers competing in a dual meet on October 15 at Grand Valley State University at 1 p.m.

Hope will get its first look at the MIAA on Friday, Oct. 21, during the league's annual Relays event at Calvin University.

The Flying Dutch compete at the "Be Better; Invite" benefitting the Miskelley Foundation on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Calvin. The meet's field also includes the University of Michigan and Davenport University.

Hope's first home meet is Friday, Nov. 11, against Albion College and Alma College at Holland Aquatic Center. Hope's final home meet is Friday, Jan. 20, vs. Kalamazoo College and Olivet College.

The Flying Dutch will see some of the nation's top teams at two different meets: the D3 Shootout on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 4-5, at the University of Chicago and the Kenyon College (Ohio) Invite on Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19.

The MIAA Championships are Wednesday-Saturday, Feb. 15-18, hosted by Calvin University.

The NCAA Division III Championships on Wednesday-Saturday, March 15-18, in Greensboro, N.C.

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