by Alan Babbitt
A 'perfect combination' is now a record-setting distance medley relay for the Hope College men's indoor track and field team.
The relay is one of the fastest in NCAA Division III, too.
Connor Vachon, Nathan Trumble, Eli Meder, and Nick Hoffman obliterated the Flying Dutchmen's old distance medley record on Saturday at the Grand Valley State University Big Meet.
The converted time of 10 minutes, 00.74 seconds on GVSU's oversized track at Kelly Family Sports Center topped the 2019 record by 26 seconds.
As a freshman, Hoffman ran with Zackary Murphy, Brenden Jones, and Collin Thomas for a DMR time of 10:26.7.
School Records
Head coach Kevin Cole said Hope has all the ingredients for an exceptional DMR.
"We have the perfect combination of guys this year for the DMR," Cole said. "Connor is strong and fast, so the perfect runner to lead off the 1,200-meter leg. Nate represents our strong sprinter group in the 400 let and just keeps getting faster. Eli has made the jump from a good 800 runner to a great 800 runner this year for the third leg. NIck is one of the best milers in the country to bring the realy home for a fast finish."
Pictured, from left, Connor Vachon, Nathan Trumble, Eli Meder, and Nick Hoffman
The 10:00.74 ranks sixth fastest in NCAA Division III this season. The Flying Dutchmen finished ninth in the relay at GVSU and were the second-fastest Division III DMR behind a converted time of 9:53.29 from Loras College (Iowa). Loras is third in the nation.
The top 12 relays qualify for next month's NCAA Division III Championships in Winston Salem, N.C.
Hoffman is a senior from Holland, Michigan (Holland HS). Trumble is a junior from Granger, Indiana (Trinity School at Greenlawn). Meder is a sophomore from Williamston, Michigan (Lansing Catholic). Vachon is a freshman from Jenison, Michigan (Jenison).
On Friday, junior Gabe DeYoung of Saegertown, Pennsylvania (Saegertown) placed 15th in the 5,000 meters at the GVSU Big Meet with a run of 15:51.07.
Sophomore Dan Campbell of Brighton, Michigan (Brighton) was 20th in the 5,000 meters at 16:07.20.
Hope returns to competition on Friday, Feb. 18, at 1:45 p.m. at the Grand Valley State University Tune Up.
