Hope College

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Pictured, Molly Durow and Ian Petrusak

Men's Cross Country 8/29/2025 10:45:00 AM Mackenzie McMahon

2025 Men's and Women's Cross Country Preview

The Hope College men's and women's cross country teams are both vying for MIAA titles this season, with multiple key members returning for the 2025 campaigns.

The men are looking to build on momentum after competing as a team at the 2024 National Championships for the first time since 1990. The Flying Dutchmen are ranked 23rd in the USTFCCCA NCAA Division III Preseason Poll and first in the Great Lakes Region.

Hope returns top runner junior Ian Petruska (Fort Collins, Colorado / Fort Collins HS), who earned Hope's first All-America honor in 43 years.

The Flying Dutchmen expect to bring back eight of their top ten runners, including five who competed at both the Great Lakes Regional Championship and the NCAA Championships.

The women are also keeping the train moving, returning five of their top seven runners from last season's squad that placed 13th at the Great Lakes Regional.

Both teams placed within the top three in the inaugural MIAA cross country preseason poll. The men tied for first with Calvin University, while the women were ranked third.

Coaching Staff

Head coach: Mark Northuis '82, 37th season
Assistant coaches: Brian VanZanten '95, Mike Northuis

Men's Roster

The Flying Dutchmen roster of 41 includes one fifth-year senior, 10 seniors, seven juniors, 10 sophomores, and 13 freshmen.

Top returners include:

Ian Petruska is a two-time All-MIAA First Team and All-Region honoree who recorded Hope's first All-America performance since 1981 by finishing 19th;
Carston Cole, a senior from Holland, Michigan (West Ottawa), three-time All-MIAA honoree and 2024 All-Region selection;
Elias Kretchmar, a sophomore from Granville, Ohio (Granville), All-MIAA Second Team;
Logan Begeman, a sophomore from Portage, Michigan (Portage Central), All-MIAA Second Team.

"I think the men's team will be just as strong, if not stronger," Northuis said. "Our team depth is very good. The guys continued to trust the process last year, learning how to develop. They have some great maturity. They've stayed hungry. They're not content. Their goal is not only to win the league but also try to do well at the regional and national level," said head coach Mark Northuis.

Women's Roster

The Flying Dutch roster of 35 includes six seniors, 10 juniors, seven sophomores, and 12 freshmen.

Molly Durow, a senior from Glenview, Illinois (Glenbrook South), is Hope's lone returning All-MIAA honoree.

Key returning upperclassmen include senior Lexi Deighan (Birmingham, Michigan / Seaholm). junior Amanda Markham (Hoffman Estates, Illinois / William Fremd), junior Annika Sytsma (Kalamazoo, Michigan / Kalamazoo Central), and sophomore Maddie VandeBunte (Jenison, Michigan / Jenison).

The Flying Dutch will also rely on a few faces on the course.

"Six of our runners down in South Carolina are new. We've got new blood," Northuis said. "We're certainly excited about the future for the women's team. Our depth is back."

2025 Schedule

The cross country teams begin the season at two meets on Friday, Aug. 29: The University of Olivet Comet Invitational and the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartansburg, South Carolina.

The MIAA Championships, hosted by the University of Olivet, will take place on Saturday, November 1 at Broadway Acres Golf Course in Charlotte, Michigan.

The NCAA regional meet is on Saturday, November 15 in Louisville, Kentucky.

If Hope qualifies, the NCAA Championships will take place on Sunday, November 23 in Spartansburg, South Carolina.

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Players Mentioned

Logan Begeman: Sophomore

Carston Cole: Senior; Exercise Science

Elias Kretchmar: Sophomore; Engineering

Ian Petruska: Junior

Lexi Deighan: Senior; Public Acct/Business

Molly Durow: Senior; Elementary Education

Amanda Markham: Junior; Engineering

Annika Sytsma: Junior; Biology

Maddie VandeBunte: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Logan Begeman
: Sophomore

Carston Cole
: Senior; Exercise Science

Elias Kretchmar
: Sophomore; Engineering

Ian Petruska
: Junior

Lexi Deighan
: Senior; Public Acct/Business

Molly Durow
: Senior; Elementary Education

Amanda Markham
: Junior; Engineering

Annika Sytsma
: Junior; Biology

Maddie VandeBunte
: Sophomore