By Alan Babbitt
Hope College
In stunning fashion, the Hope College men’s hockey team delivered an un-four-gettable finale at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 level.
The Flying Dutchmen stunned top-ranked Air Force Academy with five third-period goals on Saturday in St. Louis, Mo., skating away with the program’s fourth and final ACHA Division 3 national championship with a 6-3 victory.
Hope, which previously won national titles in 2022, 2021 and 2018, finished this season with a 35-4-1 record. The Flying Dutchmen are moving up to the ACHA Division 1 level for the 2025-26 season.
Head coach Chris Van Timmeren said his team, playing for the fifth time in five days, wasn’t fazed after previously unbeaten Air Force soared to a 3-1 lead with three second-period goals at Centene Community Ice Center NHL Rink.
“We knew if we could get one, they would start thinking about ‘What if?’ We wanted to put that (doubt) in their minds,” Van Timmeren said. “We wanted them to think that this team, which won 34 games this year and played really tough competition, is going to be coming. The effort the guys put in after four really hard games — everybody’s tired, we’re tired, they’re tired — we knew if we could keep going for the next 10 minutes we could have greatness.”
After a successful penalty kill early in the third period, Hope cut the Air Force lead to 3-2 on the first three goals from senior defenseman Nolan Holtrop (Walker/Kenowa Hills HS) at the 6:04 mark. Freshman right wing Brady Kingsbury (Saginaw/Michigan International Prep) and senior defenseman Casen Faustyn (Okemos/Okemos) were credited with assists.
Kingsbury delivered the equalizer 6 ½ minutes later on assists from freshman left wing Cade Pratt (Byron Center / Byron Center) and junior center Jake Onstott (Zeeland / Grand Rapids Catholic Central).
The Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference champions then had Air Force scrambling and trailing, 5-3, with two goals in 31 seconds.
At the 13:28 mark, sophomore right wing Griffin Riemersma (Grand Haven / Grand Haven) netted the game-winner off assists from sophomore center Jake Nanna (Muskegon / Mona Shores) and junior forward Brenden Tarpening (Fenton / Flint Powers Catholic).
At the 13:59 mark, Holtrop made it a two-goal game off assists from Pratt and sophomore defenseman Collin Peal (Grand Rapids / Grand Rapids Christian).
Holtrop iced the victory with an empty-net goal at the 17:41 mark.
The Flying Dutchmen outshot Air Force by a 38-30 margin, including a 17-9 edge during the third period.
Senior goalie Maclane Schick (Kohler, Wis. / Kohler) stopped 27 shots.
Hope won the fourth time in as many days since dropping the opener of pool play to Michigan State University on Tuesday. The Flying Dutchmen topped Dordt (Iowa) University and Grand Valley State University to advance out of their pool, then knocked off defending national champion and second-ranked in the national semifinals.
The title game appearance was Hope’s fourth in five years and eighth since 2010. The Flying Dutchmen finished national runner-up four times in that stretch and five times overall.
VanTimmeren is proud of his team’s legacy at the ACHA Division 3 level.
“I hope they remember how dominant we were for the last 15 years here, 10 for sure,” Van Timmeren said. “We had a good team here, played hard, had good sportsmanship and never gave up. No more true than tonight.”
Hope College
In stunning fashion, the Hope College men’s hockey team delivered an un-four-gettable finale at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 3 level.
The Flying Dutchmen stunned top-ranked Air Force Academy with five third-period goals on Saturday in St. Louis, Mo., skating away with the program’s fourth and final ACHA Division 3 national championship with a 6-3 victory.
Hope, which previously won national titles in 2022, 2021 and 2018, finished this season with a 35-4-1 record. The Flying Dutchmen are moving up to the ACHA Division 1 level for the 2025-26 season.
Head coach Chris Van Timmeren said his team, playing for the fifth time in five days, wasn’t fazed after previously unbeaten Air Force soared to a 3-1 lead with three second-period goals at Centene Community Ice Center NHL Rink.
“We knew if we could get one, they would start thinking about ‘What if?’ We wanted to put that (doubt) in their minds,” Van Timmeren said. “We wanted them to think that this team, which won 34 games this year and played really tough competition, is going to be coming. The effort the guys put in after four really hard games — everybody’s tired, we’re tired, they’re tired — we knew if we could keep going for the next 10 minutes we could have greatness.”
After a successful penalty kill early in the third period, Hope cut the Air Force lead to 3-2 on the first three goals from senior defenseman Nolan Holtrop (Walker/Kenowa Hills HS) at the 6:04 mark. Freshman right wing Brady Kingsbury (Saginaw/Michigan International Prep) and senior defenseman Casen Faustyn (Okemos/Okemos) were credited with assists.
Kingsbury delivered the equalizer 6 ½ minutes later on assists from freshman left wing Cade Pratt (Byron Center / Byron Center) and junior center Jake Onstott (Zeeland / Grand Rapids Catholic Central).
The Michigan Collegiate Hockey Conference champions then had Air Force scrambling and trailing, 5-3, with two goals in 31 seconds.
At the 13:28 mark, sophomore right wing Griffin Riemersma (Grand Haven / Grand Haven) netted the game-winner off assists from sophomore center Jake Nanna (Muskegon / Mona Shores) and junior forward Brenden Tarpening (Fenton / Flint Powers Catholic).
At the 13:59 mark, Holtrop made it a two-goal game off assists from Pratt and sophomore defenseman Collin Peal (Grand Rapids / Grand Rapids Christian).
Holtrop iced the victory with an empty-net goal at the 17:41 mark.
The Flying Dutchmen outshot Air Force by a 38-30 margin, including a 17-9 edge during the third period.
Senior goalie Maclane Schick (Kohler, Wis. / Kohler) stopped 27 shots.
Hope won the fourth time in as many days since dropping the opener of pool play to Michigan State University on Tuesday. The Flying Dutchmen topped Dordt (Iowa) University and Grand Valley State University to advance out of their pool, then knocked off defending national champion and second-ranked in the national semifinals.
The title game appearance was Hope’s fourth in five years and eighth since 2010. The Flying Dutchmen finished national runner-up four times in that stretch and five times overall.
VanTimmeren is proud of his team’s legacy at the ACHA Division 3 level.
“I hope they remember how dominant we were for the last 15 years here, 10 for sure,” Van Timmeren said. “We had a good team here, played hard, had good sportsmanship and never gave up. No more true than tonight.”
Hope’s Kalkman Earns All-America Honors at NCAA Swimming Championships
Hope College senior Colin Kalkman of Zeeland dives into the pool to begin swimming his backstroke leg in the 400-yard medley relay at the NCAA Division III men’s swimming and diving championships March 19 in Greensboro, N.C.
Photo credit Strauss Studios
Hope College senior swimmer Colin Kalkman of Zeeland concluded an outstanding collegiate career last weekend at the NCAA Division III men’s swimming and diving championships in Greensboro, N.C.
Kalkman, a graduate of Holland Christian High School, posted several All-American performances during the championship meet at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
On March 19, Kalkman teamed up with freshman Luke Newcomb (Brighton/Brighton), sophomore Graham Eisenmann (Ozark, Mo./ Ozark) and freshman Josh Bordovsky (Herndon, Va./South Lakes) to finish 13th in the 400-yard medley relay. The team posted a time of 3 minutes, 16.46 seconds during the consolation final.
Last Thursday, Kalkman was part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that finished 12th to earn second team All-America honors. Bordovsky, Eisenmann, Kalkman and freshman George Marsh (Bloomfield Hills / Birmingham Seaholm) clocked a finals time of 1:20.76.
Last Friday, Kalkman took third place in the consolation final and 11th place overall in the 100-yard backstroke to earn another second team All-America honor. He became the first Hope backstroker in more than 20 years to earn All-America laurels. Hope’s last All-American in the 100 backstroke was Ian Kobes in 2002.
Kalkman posted the fastest back-half swim of any of the competitors in the consolation final, closing the race with a 24.57 in the final 50 to finish with a time of 48.28. During his morning swim, Kalkman was just two-hundredths of a second off his own school record, finishing 10th in the preliminaries at 48.24.
Finally, last Saturday, Kalkman closed out his career in school-record fashion during his final individual race. He clocked a 1:48.41 in the 200-yard backstroke to top his school record by .46 seconds. He finished 23rd overall.
It was a satisfying finish to see, head coach Jake Taber said.
“One of the great things about Colin is how intentional he is with his approach to the sport. He puts a lot of thought into it. He takes care of his body. He trains with a purpose,” Taber said. “This is the type of meet he deserved to wrap his Hope career.”
The 400 freestyle relay team of Kalkman, Bordovsky, Eisenmann and sophomore Christian Hoeskema (Holland / Holland Christian) closed out the meet for Hope, combining for a time of 3:01.16 to finish 19th overall.
Hope finished 27th overall at the four-day meet with 30 points. Denison (Ohio) University won the national championship with 463.5 points, 140 points better than second-place Emory (Ga.) University.
Taber was proud of his team’s performance competing against the nation’s best.
“It was a really healthy balance of veterans who have been there and faced adversity and first-timers. The veterans knew it was a marathon, not a sprint,” Taber said. “The seniors were able to help our underclassmen. The experience the newcomers gained from this week is big. Their swimming ID is higher; their motivation is greater.”
Kalkman, a graduate of Holland Christian High School, posted several All-American performances during the championship meet at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
On March 19, Kalkman teamed up with freshman Luke Newcomb (Brighton/Brighton), sophomore Graham Eisenmann (Ozark, Mo./ Ozark) and freshman Josh Bordovsky (Herndon, Va./South Lakes) to finish 13th in the 400-yard medley relay. The team posted a time of 3 minutes, 16.46 seconds during the consolation final.
Last Thursday, Kalkman was part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that finished 12th to earn second team All-America honors. Bordovsky, Eisenmann, Kalkman and freshman George Marsh (Bloomfield Hills / Birmingham Seaholm) clocked a finals time of 1:20.76.
Last Friday, Kalkman took third place in the consolation final and 11th place overall in the 100-yard backstroke to earn another second team All-America honor. He became the first Hope backstroker in more than 20 years to earn All-America laurels. Hope’s last All-American in the 100 backstroke was Ian Kobes in 2002.
Kalkman posted the fastest back-half swim of any of the competitors in the consolation final, closing the race with a 24.57 in the final 50 to finish with a time of 48.28. During his morning swim, Kalkman was just two-hundredths of a second off his own school record, finishing 10th in the preliminaries at 48.24.
Finally, last Saturday, Kalkman closed out his career in school-record fashion during his final individual race. He clocked a 1:48.41 in the 200-yard backstroke to top his school record by .46 seconds. He finished 23rd overall.
It was a satisfying finish to see, head coach Jake Taber said.
“One of the great things about Colin is how intentional he is with his approach to the sport. He puts a lot of thought into it. He takes care of his body. He trains with a purpose,” Taber said. “This is the type of meet he deserved to wrap his Hope career.”
The 400 freestyle relay team of Kalkman, Bordovsky, Eisenmann and sophomore Christian Hoeskema (Holland / Holland Christian) closed out the meet for Hope, combining for a time of 3:01.16 to finish 19th overall.
Hope finished 27th overall at the four-day meet with 30 points. Denison (Ohio) University won the national championship with 463.5 points, 140 points better than second-place Emory (Ga.) University.
Taber was proud of his team’s performance competing against the nation’s best.
“It was a really healthy balance of veterans who have been there and faced adversity and first-timers. The veterans knew it was a marathon, not a sprint,” Taber said. “The seniors were able to help our underclassmen. The experience the newcomers gained from this week is big. Their swimming ID is higher; their motivation is greater.”
East Girls Tennis Goes 2-1 at Hope
The Zeeland East varsity girls tennis team took two of three matches last Saturday during a quad meet at Hope College’s DeWitt Tennis Center.
The Chix dropped a 5-3 decision to Hamilton in a match that took two-and-a-half hours to complete, but bounced back to blank Muskegon Reeths-Puffer and Grant by matching 8-0 scores.
Trinh Kleikamp won all three of her matches at fourth singles in straight sets, losing only four games for the day. ThyAn Kleikamp won all three of her matches for the day at third singles, including a three-set battle with Hamilton’s Maya Wettlaufer where she won the final set 11-9.
At No. 2 doubles, Elizabeth Rogovich and Mahalia Vis won all three of their matches in straight sets. Pippa Boerman and Olivia Grotenhuis went 2-0 for the day at No. 3 doubles.
The Chix dropped a 5-3 decision to Hamilton in a match that took two-and-a-half hours to complete, but bounced back to blank Muskegon Reeths-Puffer and Grant by matching 8-0 scores.
Trinh Kleikamp won all three of her matches at fourth singles in straight sets, losing only four games for the day. ThyAn Kleikamp won all three of her matches for the day at third singles, including a three-set battle with Hamilton’s Maya Wettlaufer where she won the final set 11-9.
At No. 2 doubles, Elizabeth Rogovich and Mahalia Vis won all three of their matches in straight sets. Pippa Boerman and Olivia Grotenhuis went 2-0 for the day at No. 3 doubles.
Ferris’ Claerbaut Named GLIAC All-Defensive
Ferris State University men’s basketball junior center Nathan Claerbaut was recently named to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) All-Defensive Team.
Claerbaut, a 7-foot center from Zeeland East High School, led the GLIAC in blocked shots this season with 78 rejections in 34 games, an average of 2.3 per game. He ranked eighth among all NCAA Division II players in blocked shots for the season.
Claerbaut also averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field in helping the Bulldogs to a 25-9 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament.
Claerbaut, a 7-foot center from Zeeland East High School, led the GLIAC in blocked shots this season with 78 rejections in 34 games, an average of 2.3 per game. He ranked eighth among all NCAA Division II players in blocked shots for the season.
Claerbaut also averaged 9.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the field in helping the Bulldogs to a 25-9 record and a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament.
