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.

Lucas Guidone, Men's Track & Field

Guidone finished runner-up in the 800-meter run and was a member of the winning 4x400-meter relay at the MIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships this year after not participating in an individual event at the meet in 2022. Throughout the season, he dropped his time in the 800-meters by 11 seconds and missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships by less than a second. Guidone was also a member of the Distance Medley Relay team that set a school record. He earned All-MIAA honors this year. 

John Shea, Men's Lacrosse

Shea is having a breakthrough season as goalie for the Flying Dutchmen this spring. He has moved into a starting role for the team after starting only two games in 2022. Shea was selected as MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week for the first time in his career after leading Hope to back-to-back victories earlier this season. One of these victories marked the 100th win in the program's NCAA history. 

Cole Luhmann, Football

During his freshman season, Luhmann saw playing time in only one game. He worked hard in the offseason to become bigger, faster, and stronger for the Flying Dutchmen and as a result started nine games in 2022. As a linebacker, he recorded 52 tackles, had two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Luhmann also blocked one punt this year for a touchdown. 

Gabe Quillan, Men's Basketball

Last year Quillan played in 11 games for the Flying Dutchmen and saw limited minutes on the court. He had a breakthrough year, starting 28 games and averaging 29.1 minutes per game. Quillan was named to the All-MIAA Second Team as he finished ninth in the league in scoring at 14.4 points per game and second in the MIAA in rebounds at 8.6 per league game. 

Sean Hoey, Baseball

After appearing in nine games for the Flying Dutchmen as a pitcher in 2021 and finishing the season with a 2-1 record, Hoey had a breakthrough season in 2022. He made 13 appearances en route to a 9-0 record on the mound. Hoey received All-MIAA First Team honors for the first time in his career and was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Year. He also was a member of the D3Baseball.com All-Region Second Team.