Women’s Cross Country Stands 14th in USTFCCCA Preseason National Poll, First in Region

The Hope College women's cross country team starts the 2026 season ranked among the national elite.

The Flying Dutch placed 14th in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Preseason Poll for NCAA Division III and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region rankings.

In the national poll, Hope totaled 163 points.

Led by head coach Mark Northuis '82, the Flying Dutch return six of the top seven runners from a group that finished 26th at last season's NCAA Championships, including all-region honorees Dylan Ballin, a sophomore from Brookville, Ohio (Brookville), junior Mary England of Kalamazoo, Michigan (Kalamazoo Central), and senior Olivia Ippel of St. Joseph, Michigan (St. Joseph).

New York University topped the rankings with 300 points.

Hope is scheduled to begin the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. at The University of Olivet Comet Invitational.

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Players Mentioned

Mary England: Sophomore; Exercise Science

Dylan Ballin: Freshman

Olivia Ippel: Junior

Players Mentioned

Mary England
: Sophomore; Exercise Science

Dylan Ballin
: Freshman

Olivia Ippel
: Junior