Note: The annual HOPEYs celebration of Hope College Athletics will be held on Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at DeVos Fieldhouse. The event is open to the public. Admission is free.
The Male Newcomer of the Year is presented to the freshman or transfer who made a significant impact within their sport during their first year on the team. The 2024 award nominees are:
Parker Hovey, Men's Basketball
The freshman quickly became a mainstay on the court in the starting lineup for the MIAA Tournament champion Flying Dutchmen. Hovey averaged 5.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals over 30 games, including 25 as a starting forward. Hovey scored a season-high 12 points during an NCAA Division III Tournament second-round loss at sixth-ranked Case Western Reserve University (Ohio).
Josh Weigel, Men's Soccer
The freshman emerged as a driving force in the Flying Dutchmen lineup and helped them outscore opponents by a 38-12 margin this season. Weigel started 16 of 18 games this season and logged 71 of 90 possible minutes per game. Offensively, Weigel recorded two goals and two assets, including a 1-goal and 1-assist game during a victory against Eureka on Sept. 20.
John Foster, Men's Lacrosse
The freshman developed into a lock-down and trusted defender for the MIAA Tournament champion Flying Dutchmen during the 2023 season. Starting 17 games, Foster finished second on the team in caused turnovers with 43 and while also ranking fifth in ground balls with 43. Foster, who garnered All-MIAA Second Team honors, posted three caused turnovers in a game eight times.
Graham Eisenmann, Men's Swimming and Diving
The freshman swimmer competed at the NCAA Division III Championships in three relays and helped the Flying Dutch claim All-America Second Team honors in the 200 freestyle, the 200 medley and the 400 medley relays. A sprint freestyler, Eisenmann clocked Hope's second-fastest swim in the 50 freestyle and the third-fastest in the 100 freestyle. Graham also concludes his first year on the swim team with 4 school records and is a 4x second-team All American.
Zach Trainor, Football
The freshman quarterback threw for a team-best 1,592 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns after appearing in 10 games for the Flying Dutchmen as the primary starter. Playing for the first time in two seasons after transferring, Trainor helped Hope post an 8-2 overall record. Trainor passed for a season-high 211 yards and rushed for a season-high 78 yards during a 30-21 victory at Adrian in the MIAA opener on Sept. 30.
Seth Luhmann, Football
The freshman tight end/H-back stepped into the Flying Dutchmen's starting lineup and became a driving force on the field. A key blocker, Luhmann helped the Flying Dutchmen lead the MIAA in rushing offense at 230 yards per game and second in total offense at 464.4 yards per game. Luhmann also totaled five receptions for 70 yards.
Liam Danitz, Men's Track and Field
The freshman burst onto the scene during the 2023 indoor and outdoor seasons as the Flying Dutchmen's fastest sprinter. Danitz clocked Hope's top times indoors in the 60 meters (7.05) and 200 meters (23.02) and outdoors in the 100 (10.79)and 200 meters (21.62). Danitz also anchored the MIAA runner-up 4x100 relay.
Ian Petruska, Men's Cross Country
The sophomore qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships and earned All-MIAA First Team honors last fall during his first season with the Flying Dutchmen. Petruska placed 268th at nationals with an 8K run of 26:58.5 and sixth at the MIAA Championships at 24:46. Petruska took 14th at the Great Lakes Regional to lift Hope a fourth-place team highest, its best at regionals since 1991.
