Presented to an athlete (sophomore and above) that has made the best or most significant breakthrough in their sport during the year.

NOTE: The annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope College Athletics will be held on Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.

Molly Frederickson, Women's Lacrosse

As a junior, Frederickson is having a breakthrough season on offense for the Flying Dutch. In seven games this year she has already scored 14 goals, after scoring a total of 26 goals as a sophomore in 17 games, and 2 as a freshman. Frederickson has also improved on draw controls, collecting a total of 26 to date. Last year she collected 53 on the season and as a freshman she won 23. 

Grace Connelly, Softball

After seeing limited innings as a freshman, Connelly has stepped into a starting pitching role as a sophomore. Through 17 games she has appeared in nine, going 4-2, with an ERA of 1.91. In 36.2 innings she has struck out 38 batters and given up only eight extra base hits and two walks.   

Ellie Jankowski, Women's Cross Country

Jankowski had a breakthrough cross country season this fall. As a senior, she clocked the fourth-fastest 6K in the league with a time of 21:48.6 at the MIAA Championships and played a key role in the team victory. This performance earned her All-MIAA recognition. At the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships she earned All-Region honors with a 14th-place finish. Jankowski was also a member of the team that competed at the NCAA Division III Championships. She was the second finisher for Hope and helped the team to a 13th-place finish in the nation. 

Emma Post, Volleyball

After seeing limited action in her first three years, Post became a six-rotation starter for the Flying Dutch. She had eight double-doubles (kills and digs) on the season, including one against Calvin in the NCAA Regional Final. Post played a key role this year in helping the Flying Dutch advance to the national quarterfinals in the NCAA Division III Volleyball Championships.  

Rita Cheney, Women's Golf

As a senior, Cheney earned a starting spot for the Flying Dutch after playing limited varsity matches in previous seasons. Throughout the fall season she was a top-five golfer for the team in every match. Her drive and determination helped her secure the starting role and the younger players look to her for leadership and direction. 

Lauren Ryle, Women's Swim & Dive

During her freshman season, Ryle finished fifth, ninth, and 11th in her individual events at the MIAA Championships. As a sophomore this year, Ryle was MIAA Champion in the 100-yard Breaststroke and posted an NCAA 'B' time standard in the event. She finished in third and fifth in her other two events. Ryle was also a member of the 400-yard Medley Relay that finished first at the MIAA Championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III Championships. This relay finished 14th place in the nation and earned  All-American Second Team honors.