CHARLOTTE, Mich. -- Nearly four decades of waiting came to an end as Hope College stormed to the 2025 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Championship title at Broadway Acres Golf Course, hosted by the University of Olivet. The Flying Dutchmen dominated the eight-team field with a remarkable 22 points, finishing 44 points ahead of runner-up Trine University. It marked Hope’s first conference crown since 1986 and a resounding statement heading into the postseason.

Begeman Leads the Charge with MVP Performance

Hope sophomore Logan Begeman was unstoppable, claiming the individual title and earning MIAA Most Valuable Runner honors with a personal-best time of 25:04.5. Begeman’s performance set the tone for a historic day, leading a strong Hope contingent that placed seven runners among the top eleven finishers.

Adrian College senior Will Houvener crossed the line second with a season-best 25:08.7, narrowly edging Hope freshman Aiden Moore, who finished third in a personal-best 25:09.3. Trine sophomore Nicholas Spielman placed fourth in a personal-best 25:14.8, and Hope senior Carston Cole finished fifth in 25:16.4.

Hope Dominates the Front Pack

Hope’s depth was unmatched throughout the 8K race. Sophomore Elias Kretchmar finished sixth with a time of 25:24.6, and senior Lucas Guidone placed seventh in a season-best 25:24.9. Sophomore Cooper Jacobsen rounded out the All-MIAA First Team with an eighth-place finish in a personal-best 25:29.3.

Hope senior began the list of All-MIAA Second Team honorees with a ninth-place finish in a personal-best 25:29.9. Calvin University sophomore Vaughn Meyer finished 10th in a season-best 25:32.6, followed by Hope senior Nile Devers in 11th with a season-best time of 25:33.5. Kalamazoo College sophomore Carson Cook placed 12th in a personal-best 25:34.9, and Trine senior Ryan Hoopingarner finished 13th in 25:37.9.

Sophomore Hornet Jack Schneider came in 14th in 25:44.9. Hope freshman Elijah Forbord finished 15th in a personal-best 25:52.2, and Hope junior Ian Petruska rounded out the All-MIAA Second Team in 16th place with a time of 25:52.9.

Rounding Out the Field

Hope’s remarkable pack running secured a commanding team victory, while Trine held a strong runner-up standing with 66 points. Kalamazoo followed in third with 82 points, led by Carson Cook and Jack Schneider, while Calvin placed fourth with 96 points behind Vaughn Meyer’s top-10 finish. Adrian, Olivet, Albion College, and Alma College rounded out the standings.

Team Results

1. Hope College – 22 points

2. Trine University – 66 points

3. Kalamazoo College – 82 points

4. Calvin University – 96 points

5. Adrian College – 138 points

6. University of Olivet – 185 points

7. Albion College – 217 points

8. Alma College – 218 points

Up Next

MIAA teams now turn their focus to the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships, set for November 15 in Louisville, Kentucky. The top regional finishers will advance to the NCAA Division III Championships on November 22 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

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2025 MIAA Men's Cross Country All-MIAA Honorees
Most Valuable Runner
Logan Begeman, Hope

First Team
Logan Begeman, Hope
Carston Cole, Hope
Lucas Guidone, Hope
Will Houvener, Adrian
Cooper Jacobsen, Hope
Elias Kretchmar, Hope
Aiden Moore, Hope
Nicholas Spielman, Trine

Second Team
Carson Cook, Kalamazoo
Nile Devers, Hope
Elijah Forbord, Hope
Jonathan Harlow, Hope
Ryan Hoopingarner, Trine
Vaughn Meyer, Calvin
Ian Petruska, Hope
Jack Schneider, Kalamazoo