Women's Cross Country Earns One First-Place Vote, Takes Third in First MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll

The Hope College women's cross country team finished third in the inaugural MIAA Women's Cross Country Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Flying Dutch received one first-place vote and totaled 21 points, trailing defending champion Calvin University (11 points, 5 first-place votes) and Trine University (15 points, 3 first-place votes).

Coaches could not vote for their teams. Kalamazoo College took fourth with 29 points, followed by Alma College (40), Saint Mary's College (41), Albion College (53). Adrian College (56), and The University of Olivet (58).

Led by head coach Mark Northuis, the Flying Dutch open the season on Friday, Aug. 29, at two meets: The University of Olivet and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

Hope returns All-MIAA Second team honoree Molly Durow, a senior from Glenview, Illinois (Glenbrook South HS) and two-time all-league runner who placed 16th at last year's MIAA Championships (23:13.2) before clocking 23:36.59 at regionals.

Other key contributors include junior Annika Sytsma (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Christian), junior Amanda Markham (Hoffman Estates, Illinois / William Fremd) and sophomore Maddie VandeBunte (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison).

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Players Mentioned

Molly Durow: Senior; Elementary Education

Amanda Markham: Junior; Engineering

Annika Sytsma: Junior; Biology

Maddie VandeBunte: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Molly Durow
: Senior; Elementary Education

Amanda Markham
: Junior; Engineering

Annika Sytsma
: Junior; Biology

Maddie VandeBunte
: Sophomore