Cross Country Voted as MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year

Hope College has been selected as the MIAA Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year in a vote by league peers.

The group, led by head coach Mark Northuis, guided the Flying Dutch to a sweep of men's and women's league titles on October 31 at the MIAA Championships, presented by Collegiate Credit Union.

The feat at Marshall Country Club in Marshall marked the second time in program history Hope captured men's and women's cross country championships in the same season.

Brian VanZanten serves as associate head coach. Assistant coaches include Dan Campbell, Gabe DeYoung, Avery Lowe, Clayton Lowe, and Mike Northuis. Carston Cole is a student assistant coach.

The 21st-ranked Hope men repeated as the MIAA champion for the first time since 1986 and won their 17th league title. Six Flying Dutch runners earned All-MIAA accolades. Junior Joe Waalkes and sophomore Aiden Moore claimed first-team accolades. Senior Nile Devers, junior Cooper Jacobsen, Elias Kretchmar, and sophomore Elijah Forbord earned second-team honors.

The 17th-ranked Hope women raced to their first outright league title since 2022 and their 15th MIAA championship overall. Seven Flying Dutch runners claimed All-MIAA recognition. Senior Olivia Ippel joined sophomores Miranda Sawvel and Anna Sybenga on the All-MIAA First Team. Junior Mary England and freshmen Marie Gates, Abigail Lewis, and Ruth Miller made the All-MIAA Second Team.

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Players Mentioned

Carston Cole: Senior; Exercise Science

Nile Devers: Senior; Exercise Science

Elijah Forbord: Sophomore

Cooper Jacobsen: Junior; Exercise Science

Elias Kretchmar: Junior; Mechanical Engineering

Aiden Moore: Sophomore

Joe Waalkes: Junior

Mary England: Junior; Exercise Science

Olivia Ippel: Senior; Communication

Miranda Sawvel: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Carston Cole
: Senior; Exercise Science

Nile Devers
: Senior; Exercise Science

Elijah Forbord
: Sophomore

Cooper Jacobsen
: Junior; Exercise Science

Elias Kretchmar
: Junior; Mechanical Engineering

Aiden Moore
: Sophomore

Joe Waalkes
: Junior

Mary England
: Junior; Exercise Science

Olivia Ippel
: Senior; Communication

Miranda Sawvel
: Sophomore