by Alan Babbitt
For the second time in school history, Hope College Athletics has claimed four MIAA winter team championships within the same season.
And the winter season isn't even finished.
The Hope Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch indoor track and field teams will compete in their MIAA Championships on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Trine University.
On Saturday, Hope matched the 1994-95 feat as both men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's basketball, each were crowned champions.
Led by head coach Jake Taber, the Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch swim/dive teams capped an unforgettable day, sweeping the MIAA championships for the eighth time in team history and the first time in 18 years.
The men surged past defending champion Calvin University on the final day at the Holland Aquatic Center. With 995 points over four days of competition, Hope finished 15 points ahead of Knights. It was the Flying Dutchmen's 13th MIAA title and first since 2010.
The women totaled 1,013.5 points at the MIAA Championships to earn their 24th league title and repeat as MIAA champs for the first time since 2003-04.
On the basketball court, the Flying Dutchmen secured an outright MIAA title with a 71-55 victory against Kalamazoo College on Senior Day at DeVos Fieldhouse.
Led by head coach Greg Mitchell, Hope went 12-2 in league play for its 34th outright MIAA championship. The Flying Dutchmen also have been MIAA co-champs seven times.
The Flying Dutch, led by head coach Brian Morehouse, clinched a piece of an MIAA title with a 94-23 victory at Kalamazoo College. With a 15-1 league record, Hope shared the championship with Trine University.
It is the Flying Dutch's 20th MIAA championship and fifth as co-champions.
