Women's Track and Field Places Second in MIAA Outdoor Preseason Coaches Poll

The Hope College women's track and field team is picked to vie for the MIAA championship this outdoor season.

The Flying Dutch placed runner-up in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving one first-place vote and 43 points. Calvin University topped the rankings with seven first-place votes and 49 points.

Hope finished ahead of third-place Trine University (37), Alma College (30, Adrian College (24), Albion College (18), and Kalamazoo College (15).

The Flying Dutch will host the MIAA Outdoor Championships Monday-Tuesday, April 20-21, for combined events, and Thursday-Friday, April 30-May 1, for the remaining events.

Head coach Jordan Bartolazzi is in his first season. He led the Flying Dutch to a runner-up finish at the MIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in February.

Sprinter Sara Schermerhorn — the NCAA Division III indoor national champion in the 400 meters — leads Hope's group of returners.

Schemerhorn (Traverse City, Michigan / Traverse City West) is also a three-time MIAA Most Valuable Track Athlete, twice indoors (2025 and 2026) and once outdoors (2025). The senior also won the 200m and 400m dashes at the MIAA Outdoor Championships last season and contributed to first-place finishes in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.

Runner Molly Durow (Glenview, Illinois / Glenbrook South) captured All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships this month. The senior is the defending outdoor 800m champion.

The Flying Dutch also bring back sophomore sprinter Sofia Fisher (Lombard, Illinois / Montini Catholic) from the MIAA record-setting 4x100 relay.

Freshman Jaidyn Klimp (Galesburg, Michigan / Galesburg Augusta) aims to build on a strong start to her first season after winning the pentathlon at the MIAA Indoor Championships.

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Players Mentioned

Molly Durow: Senior; Elementary Education: Pre K-3, 3-6 Grade

Sofia Fisher: Sophomore; Social Work

Sara Schermerhorn: Senior; Exercise Science

Jaidyn Klimp: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Molly Durow
: Senior; Elementary Education: Pre K-3, 3-6 Grade

Sofia Fisher
: Sophomore; Social Work

Sara Schermerhorn
: Senior; Exercise Science

Jaidyn Klimp
: Freshman