Calvin Cross Country Teams Wrap Up MIAA Titles - Extend League Streaks

November 2, 2002

ALMA, MI - Calvin's nationally-ranked men's and women's cross country teams continued impressive MIAA championship streaks on Saturday as the Calvin men claimed their 16th straight league title while the Calvin women wrapped up their 15th straight MIAA crown. The championship streak by the Calvin men's cross country is the second longest in MIAA athletic history while the women's championship streak is the longest in MIAA women's athletic history.

Both Calvin teams posted first place totals of 18 points at Saturday's MIAA Championship meet hosted by Alma College. Ranked ninth in the latest NCAA III poll, the Calvin men took four of the top five spots including seven of the top 10 to capture first place, 40 points ahead of second place Albion. Hope took third with 74 points. Calvin sophomore Hendrik Kok (Lynden, WA) turned in a dominating performance in claiming first place individually as he posted a time of 25:15 in the 8K race. Calvin junior Tim Avery (Rochester, NY) was second in 25:38 followed by Albion junior Nick Mockeridge in third at 25:41. Close behind were Calvin sophomores David Haagsma (South Christian HS) and Brian Maat (Holland Christian HS) as Haagsma was fourth (25:44) and Maat fifth (25:48). Calvin juniors Kris Koster (Grand Rapids Christian HS) and Brian Paff (National City, CA) were sixth and seventh respectively with Koster clocking in at 25:55 and Paff at 25:58. Sophomore Jeff Engbers (Whitinsville, MA) also cracked the top 10 for Calvin, finishing 10th in 26:16. Tyson Warner of Hope was also in the top 10, placing ninth with a time of 26:11.

"It is always an honor to win an MIAA championship. It is certainly not something we take for granted," said Calvin men's cross country coach Brian Diemer. "I was very pleased with our team's pack running and with the way some of our guys really stepped up to fill some gaps. Hendrik Kok and Tim Avery were outstanding today but guys like Kris Koster, Brian Paff, Brian Maat and David Haagsma also had excellent races. The encouraging thing about today is that we still have room for improvement and if we can raise our performance another notch in the next few weeks, we could achieve some even bigger things."

In the women's race, fifth-ranked Calvin claimed the top four spots including five of the top eight in finishing 37 points ahead of second place Hope. Calvin juniors Jessie Lair (Southfield Christian HS) and Sarah Hastings (Traverse City Central HS) continued to provide a powerful one-two punch for the Knights as Lair took first in the 6K race with a time of 22:12 while Hastings was second in 22:36. Senior twins Tami and Jodi VerMeulen of Holland Christian High School were next for the Knights as Tami VerMeulen was third in 23:03 and Jodi VerMeulen fourth in 23:03. Freshman Jen Walter (Sharon, MA) rounded out Calvin's top five, placing eighth with a time of 23:51. Calvin's sixth runner was senior Sarah Tinholt (Kalamazoo Christian HS) who took 11th in 23:56 while freshman Camille Medema (Grand Rapids Christian HS) was 13th in 24:07.

"We're very pleased to remain MIAA champions," said Calvin women's cross country coach Nancy Meyer. "We've struggled with injuries this year and we've been forced to work harder to remain on top. Jessie Lair and Sarah Hastings ran great like they have all year and I can't say enough about the senior leadership of the VerMeulen twins. They have really stepped up and filled roles that needed to be filled."

Hope also placed three runners in the top 10. Tina Pike was the top Hope finisher, placing seventh in 23:50 while Kristen Post was ninth in 23:52 and Christine Alcenius 10th in 23:54.

Hendrik Kok was named the MIAA's Most Outstanding Runner for the men while Jessie Lair was so honored by the MIAA on the women's side.

MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

Calvin, 18 points
Albion, 58 points
Hope 74 points
Alma 130 points
Kalamazoo 142 points
Olivet 145 points

MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS

Calvin 18 points
Hope 55 points
Albion 114 points
Alma 124 points
Adrian 183 points
St. Mary's 195 points

ALL-MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 1st TEAM SELECTIONS

Hendrik Kok, Calvin College
Nick Mockeridge, Albion
Tim Avery, Calvin College
Brian Maat, Calvin College
David Haagsma, Calvin College
Brian Paff, Calvin College
Kris Koster, Calvin College
Joe Whitman, Alma
Adam Dohm, Albion
Jeff Engbers, Calvin College

ALL-MIAA MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 2nd TEAM SELECTIONS

Peter Derby, Hope
Tyson Warner, Hope
Sean Pack, Kalamazoo
Todd Falker, Albion
Kyle Morrison, Hope
Ryan Weaver, Hope
Jay Puffpath, Albion
Taurean Wilson, Albion
Kyle Williams, Hope
Greg Borst, Hope

MIAA's MOST OUTSTANDING RUNNER - Hendrik Kok (Sophomore), Calvin College

ALL-MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 1ST TEAM SELECTIONS

Jessie Lair, Calvin College
Sarah Hastings, Calvin College
Jodi VerMeulen, Calvin College
Tami VerMeulen, Calvin College
Sarah Ball, Kalamazoo
Danielle Hobbs, Adrian
Kristen Post, Hope
Tina Pike, Hope
Lauren Puretz, Kalamazoo
Camille Medema, Calvin College
ALL-MIAA WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY 2nd TEAM SELECTIONS

Chris Alcenius, Hope
Sarah Tinholt, Calvin College
Katie Veldman, Hope
Leticia Grandia, Hope
Stacey Kandas, Albion
Loan Portlance, Albion
Jen Walter, Calvin College
Racherl Riemer, Hope
Elizabeth Colechio, Alma
Martha Graham, Hope

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