Five Hope College standouts have earned MIAA Athlete of the Week recognition in their respective sports: volleyball's Angie Butler and Brooke Hehl, swimming and diving's Blake Hetherington and Layla Umstead, and women's soccer's Audra Usiak.
Hetherington is the MIAA Men's Swimming Athlete of the Week for the second time in his career. The junior from Jackson, Michigan (Lumen Christi), clocked the fastest 50-yard freestyle in NCAA Division III at 20.71 seconds during the Grand Valley State University Invite over the weekend at the Holland Aquatic Center.
An economics major, Hetherington also posted the second-fastest 100 freestyle in the country at 45.77 seconds. He also swam in several relays. His anchor split of 44.77 on Hope's fourth-place finish in the 400 free relay helped propel the relay to the top time in the country in the event, early this season. Blake also anchored both the 400 and 200 medley relays, both of which currently rank first and second in the NCAA this season.
Umstead is the MIAA Women's Swimming Athlete of the Week for the first time. The freshman from Jenison, Michigan (Jenison) also excelled against three nationally ranked NCAA Division II teams and one NCAA Division 1 program at GVSU, recording some of Division III's top efforts. In the 500 freestyle, Umstead clocked a winning time of 5:00.28, Division III's fastest swim. She led off the nation's leading 200 free relay with a 50 time of 23.98, a swim that currently ranks second nationally. Umstead then finished third in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:52.23 and fifth in the 100 free at 51.73. The 200 ranks second in the nation, the 100 third.
Butler is the MIAA Volleyball Athlete of the Week for the first time. The junior outside hitter from Novi, Michigan (Mercy) averaged 11 kills per game over four matches last week, where the Flying Dutch posted a 3-1 record and defeated No. 1-ranked and defending national champion University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. A psychology major, Butler topped Hope against Oshkosh with a career-best 16 kills.
Hehl is the MIAA Volleyball Specialist of the Week for the second time this season and in her career. The sophomore setter averaged 36.75 assists over four matches last week. Against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Hehl recorded a career-high 58 assists while setting four different hitters to double-digit kills.
Usiak is the MIAA Women's Soccer Defensive Athlete of the Week for the first time. The senior defender from Dimondale, Michigan (Lansing Christian) helped the Flying Dutch win both road games last week. An elementary education major, Usiak played 168 minutes combined during a 2-0 shutout of Albion and 2-1 decision at Adrian. She scored against Adrian.
