by Alan Babbitt
The Hope College men's outdoor track and field team won the 4x400 relay at the Grand Valley State University Al Owens Classic on Saturday.
Senior David McHugh, senior Drew Dow, senior Nathan Trumble, and junior Nathan Woolum clocked a first-place time of 3 minutes, 22.77 seconds at the non-scoring meet.
The Flying Dutchmen recorded 17 Top-10 finishes during the two-day meet, including runner-up efforts in three events.
Junior Eli Meder (Williamston, Michigan / Lansing Catholic) posted a second-time 800-meter run of 1 minute, 53.12 seconds. Freshman Connor Vachon (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison) was fifth at 1:54.52.
In the 1,500 meters, senior Nick Hoffman (Holland, Michigan / Holland) finished runner-up with a time of 3:56.80.
In the javelin, freshman Aidan Kyle (Weston, Connecticut / Weston) heaved a second-place toss of 45.73 meters (150 feet). Freshman Andrew Knieper (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) was third at 45.36 meters (148-10).
In the hammer throw, Knieper placed fourth with a toss of 40.27 meters (132-1).
In the discus, Knieper was seventh at 39.44 meters (129-5).
In the 400 hurdles, McHugh (Whitehall, Michigan / Muskegon Reeths-Puffer) took fourth by clocking a run of 57.90. Woolum (Mattawan, Michigan / Mattawan) as sixth at 59.61.
In the 110 hurdles, junior Jackson Player (San Antonio, Texas / Winston ChurchIll) recorded a fifth-place time of 15.52. McHugh was ninth at 16.73.
The Flying Dutchmen's 4x100 relay finished sixth. Freshman Alex Daniels (Holland, Michigan / Holland), Trumble, freshman David McNiff (Norton Shores, Michigan / Mona Shores), and Player had a time of 43.27.
In the triple jump, McHugh went 11.62 meters (38-1 1/2) for sixth place.
In the long jump, McHugh placed eighth at 6.46 meters (21-2 1/4).
In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Dan Campbell (Brighton, Michigan / Brighton) clocked an eighth-place time of 10:06.16.
In the high jump. junior Case VanderZee (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) cleared 1.76 meters (5-9 1/4) for eighth place.
In the 400 meters, Dow (Bridgman, Michigan / Bridgman) was 10th at 51.06.
Hope's next meet is the Hillsdale College Gina Relays on Thursday-Saturday, April 28-30.
