Hope College

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Pictured, from left, Gibson Heethuis, John Foster, Brendan O'Donnell, Jackson Arnold, Preston Hoexum, Jackson Vasquez, Tyler Berens, Jack McNamara, Jack Balmforth

Men's Lacrosse 4/28/2026 1:59:00 PM Marcus Wourman '26

Defensive MVP John Foster and Rookie of Year Jackson Vasquez Headline Nine Men's Lacrosse All-MIAA Honorees

Nine members from the MIAA champion Hope College men's lacrosse team have received all-conference accolades from MIAA coaches, including Defensive Most Valuable Player John Foster, and Rookie of the Year Jackson Vasquez.

Foster, a senior, and Vasquez, a freshman, lead a group of six All-MIAA First Team honorees alongside senior Jack Balmforth, junior Gibson Heethuis, sophomores Tyler Berens and Preston Hoexum, and freshman Jackson Arnold.

Seniors Jack McNamara and Brendan O'Donnell have been named All-MIAA Second Team selections.

The decorated group played key components of a team that had an impeccable MIAA record of 6-0, resulting in a three-peat of regular-season titles for the second time in league history and the first time in league history.

Foster (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) won the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honor for the first time in his career and earned All-MIAA recognition for the third time. The senior defender and exercise science major caused 11 turnovers and scooped up 21 ground balls during league games. He ranked ninth in the MIAA in caused turnovers.

Vasquez (Lake Orion, Michigan / Lake Orion) delivered a stellar performance during his first season. The freshman short-stick midfielder ranked ninth in the MIAA in ground balls with 22, at 3.67 per game, and 10th in face-off percentage at 51.2%.

Balmforth (Livonia, Michigan / Detroit Catholic Central) was selected All-MIAA First Team for the third time in his career at goalie. The senior business major led the league with 29 fewest goals allowed to MIAA opponents.

Heethuis (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) received All-MIAA First Team honors at attack for the third time in his career. The junior biology major topped the MIAA at 6.50 points per game with 39 points, including 18 goals and 21 assists. He ranked first in assists and third in goals.

Berens (West Olive, Michigan / West Ottawa) has been honored as All-MIAA First Team selection for long-stick midfielder for the first time. The sophomore caused 15 turnovers during MIAA action, tied for third-most.

Hoexum (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) earned All-MIAA First Team honors for attack in his first season. The sophomore ranked second in goals against MIAA opponents with 19, third in points with 30, and fifth in assists with 11.

Arnold (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Eastern) has been named All-MIAA First Team for short-stick defensive midfielder. The freshman made an immediate impact all over the field, contributing during MIAA play 12 caused turnovers, 12 ground balls, six goals and five assists.

McNamara (Ada, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) received All-MIAA Second Team honors for offensive midfielder. The senior biology major scored seven goals during MIAA games.

O'Donnell (Spring Lake, Michigan / Spring Lake) claimed All-MIAA Second Team distinction on defense. The senior exercise science major totaled 12 ground balls and three caused turnovers against MIAA opponents.

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Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth: G; 5' 11"; Senior; Business

#13 Tyler Berens: LSM; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#22 John Foster: D; 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science

#12 Gibson Heethuis: A; 5' 11"; Junior; Biology

#5 Jack McNamara: M; 6' 5"; Senior; Biology

#30 Brendan O'Donnell: D; 6' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science

#26 Preston Hoexum: A; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#20 Jackson Arnold: M; 5' 10"; Freshman

#3 Jackson Vasquez: M; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#29 Jack Balmforth
: 5' 11"; Senior; Business
: G

#13 Tyler Berens
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: LSM

#22 John Foster
: 6' 1"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D

#12 Gibson Heethuis
: 5' 11"; Junior; Biology
: A

#5 Jack McNamara
: 6' 5"; Senior; Biology
: M

#30 Brendan O'Donnell
: 6' 2"; Senior; Exercise Science
: D

#26 Preston Hoexum
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: A

#20 Jackson Arnold
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: M

#3 Jackson Vasquez
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: M