Men's Cross Country 2026 Season Preview

A historic season for the Hope College men's cross country team is fueling its runners to strive for more.

The nationally-ranked Flying Dutch sprint into the 2026 season on the heels of a campaign that claimed the second NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional title in program history, the first MIAA championship in 39 years, and a 23rd-place finish at the Division III national championships.

Hope is not ready to rest on its laurels, head coach Mark Northuis '82 said.

"I think the last several years have really built on each other, and they continue just to stand on the previous year's shoulders and continue to reach for new heights," Northuis said. "Last year's experiences whetted their appetite, and they certainly want to do more."

The Flying Dutch begin the season ranked 21st in the USTFCCCA preseason poll and first in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

ROSTER

The Orange and Blue return most of their all-region selections from last season that propelled them to Great Lakes Regional and MIAA championships. Junior Logan Begeman of Portage, Michigan (Portage Central) leads the pack after placing eighth in the 2025 NCAA regional and first at the MIAA Championships.

Hope also brings back decorated standouts such as senior Nile Devers of Gobles, Michigan (Gobles), juniors Cooper Jacobsen of Grand Rapids, Michigan (Forest Hills Eastern) and Elias Kretchmar of Granville, Ohio (Granville), and sophomores Aiden Moore of Battle Creek, Michigan (Lakeview) and Elijah Forbord of Howell, Michigan (Brighton).

Devers joins seniors Tim Peterson (Portage, Michigan / Portage Northern) and Shane Pitcher (Saline, Michigan / Saline) to serve as team captains.

Northuis said there is a promising blend of veterans and newcomers.

"The returners are really focused on what they want to do and continue to have that focus on conference, regionals, and nationals. They are really focusing on those aspects of the season, but then also realizing the importance of integrating the new people into the program and helping to continue it on," Northuis said. "They're not just looking at themselves and what they can do. They're looking at investing for the whole program and building into their young teammates."

COACHING STAFF

Head coach: Mark Northuis, 38th season
Associate head coach: Brian VanZanten
Assistant coaches: Mike Northuis, Avery Lowe, Dan Campbell, Gabe DeYoung

SCHEDULE

Hope races into action on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. at The University of Olivet Comet Open at Broadway Acres Golf Course in Charlotte.

The Flying Dutch will run six more times during the regular season, including the Oct. 3 Carleton College "Running of the Cows" Invitational, a pre-national meet at the Bill Huck Championship Course in Northfield, Minnesota.

The MIAA Championships are Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. at Marshall Country Club in Marshall, Michigan.

The NCAA Great Lakes Regional is set for Saturday, Nov. 14, at Michigan State University's Forest Akers Golf Course.

Carleton hosts the Division III national championships on Saturday, Nov. 21.

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