Three Hope College student-athletes have earned weekly honors from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association: juniors Catherine Leahy and Elliana Johnson in women’s indoor track and field and freshman Leah Richards in women’s basketball.
Leahy (Elk Rapids, Michigan / Elk Rapids HS) is receiving the MIAA Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week award for the first time in her career.
The exercise science major won two individual events and ran a leg on one first-place relay for the Flying Dutch at the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Classic on Friday at Aquinas College.
Leahy took first in the 200 meters with a run of 26.69 seconds, the MIAA’s third-fastest time this season, and the 400 meters with a run of 59.41 seconds, the MIAA’s second-fastest time and the 39th fastest in NCAA Division III this season.
Leahy also ran on the winning 4×400 relay that crossed the finish line at 4:11.93, the MIAA’s fastest run this season.
Johnson (East Lansing, Michigan / Haslett) is claiming her first career MIAA Women’s Indoor Field Athlete of the Week honor.
The psychology major also excelled at the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame Classic, placing first in the triple jump and runner-up in the long jump.
In the triple jump, Johnson won with a leap of 10.35 meters (33 feet, 11 ½ inches), the top performance of the season.
Johnson also took second on the long jump at 5.22 meters (17-1 ½), the MIAA’s second-best effort this season.
Richards (DeWitt, Michigan / Lansing Catholic) is the MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the first time.
The forward averaged 10.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.5 steals during two Hope victories last week.
Richards tied a DeVos Fieldhouse record with seven steals during an 82-50 victory vs. The University of Olivet on Saturday at DeVos Fieldhouse. In less than 20 minutes, Richards also scored 10 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds against the Comets.
On Wednesday, Richards totaled 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals during a 97-46 victory vs. Adrian College.
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