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Marvelous Jackson Mindling Seals Historic Men’s Soccer MIAA Title

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An outright championship nearly two decades in the making was claimed in unforgettable fashion.

Behind a historic second-half hat trick from sophomore Jackson Mindling, the Flying Dutchmen soccer team stormed past Trine University, 3–1, on Wednesday night at Van Andel Soccer Stadium.

The regular-season finale victory secured Hope College’s first outright MIAA men’s soccer regular-season title in 19 years and the 16th in program history. As the top seed in the league tournament, the Flying Dutchmen (10-5-2 overall) receive a first-round bye and will host a semifinal match at home on Wednesday, Nov. 4, against an opponent to be determined.

“I am thankful and grateful for this group of guys because they deserve this,” head coach David Blahnik said. “They’ve been putting in the work, many of them for four years with me, and they’ve done it the right way. Every team says they’re putting in the work, but these guys truly did.”

Hope shared last season’s title with Trine, but on Wednesday night, there would only be celebration for the Orange and Blue

After a scoreless first half filled with near misses, the Flying Dutchmen broke through in the 66th minute junior Josh Weigel (Naperville, Illinois / Naperville Central) drove down the flank and slid a low pass across the box. Mindling (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) met it with his right foot, slotting home from seven yards out to ignite the home crowd.

Trine equalized in the 77th minute, adding to the tension because at the time Albion College led at Kalamazoo College late in the second half. An Albion win and a Hope tie would made Albion the MIAA champion. Kalamazoo eventuallly scored in the 86th minute to earn a 1-1 draw.

Hope’s composure never wavered, a testament to the maturity Blahnik’s squad has developed over the course of a challenging season.

“The whole reason we scheduled our non-conference was for this moment,” Blahnik said. “If you looked at us in September, you might not have known what kind of season we were going to have. We scheduled tough teams, gave opportunities to new guys, and trusted our process. Maybe most of the league or region counted us out, but we didn’t.”

That belief came to life in the final minutes. In the 85th minute, sophomore Ryker Corstange (Richland, Michigan / Gull Lake HS) threaded a perfect ball into the box for Mindling, who buried a left-footed finish into the top corner. Barely two minutes later, Mindling struck again ,a curling 30-yard rocket that clanged off the post and in, sending the home crowd into a frenzy once more. 

It marked just the fifth hat trick ever recorded by a Hope men’s soccer player at Van Andel Soccer Stadium, joining Griffin Brown (2023), Logan Bylsma (2018), Jason Muller (2011), and Shaun Groetsema (2010) in the record books. Mindling matched his career-best with 12 goals on the season.

The three-goal outburst all came in the second half as Hope poured on the pressure, outshooting Trine 21–7 and controlling every phase of play.

Sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Morgan (Holland, Michigan / Holland Christian) anchored the defense, allowing just one goal on two shots on target. 



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Pride Men’s Track and Field Takes on Wesleyan Winter Invitational

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The Regis College men’s track and field team traveled to Connecticut on Saturday morning to compete at the Wesleyan Winter Invitational, where Justin Thuotte set another indoor program recird in the long jump. 

Inside the Numbers

  • Brian LaPorte earned a fourth-place finish in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 2:14.40.
  • Justin Thuotte turned in a standout performance, claiming a top finish in the long jump with a mark of 6.70 meters to set a new indoor program record, besting his own previous mark of 6.65 set at the last meet. He also placed third in the triple jump at 12.99 meters and rounded out his day with a 10th-place finish in the weight throw, posting a personal-best mark of 13.59 meters.
  • Brady Elliott placed seventh in the high jump with a leap of 1.80 meters.
  • Additional Pride personal-best performances came from Michael Hatch in the long jump (4.92m), DJ Marks in the long jump (5.31m), and Griffin McGahan in the weight throw (10.26m).

Up Next

The Pride return to the track next Sunday, January 18, when they head to Track at New Balance for the Suffolk Ice Breaker, beginning at 9:00 a.m.



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2025 Providence Journall All-State Girls Volleyball Team

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Take a look: 2025 Providence Journall All-State Girls Volleyball Team



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Track and Field Opens 2026 Calendar year at Wesleyan Winter Invitational

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MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The Regis College women’s track and field team traveled to Connecticut on Saturday morning to compete at the Wesleyan Winter Invitational, where Zoe Kirk set a new indoor program record in the high jump.

Inside the Numbers

  • Zoe Kirk continued her strong rookie campaign with a pair of top-10 finishes. She placed third overall in the high jump with a mark of 1.50 meters, setting a new indoor program record and surpassing the previous mark of 1.46 held by teammate Grace Miklon. Kirk also finished ninth in the 60-meter hurdles, posting a time of 9.93.
  • Hannah Griffin claimed the top spot in the 800 meters with a time of 2:44.36, edging her nearest competitor by nearly one second.
  • Olivya Bush joined her fellow first-year athletes with a top-10 performance in the 400 meters, as the Texas native recorded a personal-best time of 1:09.67 to finish 10th overall.
  • Grace Micklon added another solid result for the Pride, placing seventh in the pole vault with a mark of 2.15 meters.
  • Aleyo Amasa-Titus rounded out the day with a sixth-place finish in the triple jump (9.86m) and a seventh-place showing in the long jump (4.66m).

Up Next

The Pride return to the track next Sunday, January 18, when they head to Track at New Balance for the Suffolk Ice Breaker, beginning at 9:00 a.m.



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Nowak Paces Jaspers; Men’s Volleyball Opens Program at Penn State

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – The Manhattan Jaspers’ Men’s Volleyball program (0-1, 0-0 NEC) fell in its inaugural match against the No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) in straight sets (21-25, 16-25, 20-25) inside the Recreation Hall South Gym on Saturday afternoon.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

  • On top by a couple of points were the Nittany Lions, before an attack error by Penn State gave the Jaspers the program’s first ever point.
  • Two points ahead, it was Kasen Owens who posted the first ever attempt and kill off a perfect Drew Blonski setup.
  • Back and forth went the Jaspers and Nittany Lions, before Wojtek Nowak tied the game at nine with the program’s first service ace. Then, two points later, it was Nowak again, who was fed a perfect pass to give Manhattan its second tie in just three points.
  • The Jaspers would keep the game within two until Nowak continued his all-around game by tacking on a block solo to his resume to narrow Penn State’s lead 15-14.
  • Down the stretch, Owens and Nowak added another two points before the Nittany Lions took the first set.
  • Looking to bounce back in the second set, Blonski set up Kasen Owens for a go-ahead kill, before Max Larcheid added his first point of the afternoon to go ahead of the home team.
  • Trailing by three midway, the Jaspers, once again, took advantage of a Penn State setback, before the Nittany Lions pulled away down the stretch.
  • Opening the third set trailing by two, Chase Marston joined the inaugural party with a kill, before Manhattan tacked on another two for the program’s first scoring run. The Jaspers would tack on the next three of four points, before Marston tied the match at 12 with back-to-back service aces.

STATS AND NOTES

  • Junior outside hitter Wojtek Nowak led the Green and White with nine kills on the afternoon while attempting a total of 13, and a hitting percentage of .538. Nowak posted the program’s first service ace and logged one block solo for a total of 11 points on the day.
  • Sophomore outside hitter Kasen Owens posted six kills on 19 attempts, while blocking three and totaled 7.5 points on the afternoon.
  • Freshman opposite hitter Blake Perkins registered three kills in 10 attempts, added two digs, and one block.
  • Freshman opposite hitter Chase Marston logged three kills in five total attempts and added two aces and a pair of blocks.
  • As a team, the Jaspers posted 25 kills on 64 total attacks, while logging three service aces, and 14 team digs, while blocking seven.

NEXT UP:
The Jaspers are back in action on Friday, January 16, and Saturday, January 17 when the Green and White trek to Boston to face the Harvard Crimson beginning at 7 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. The contests can be viewed on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.
 
Follow Manhattan Men’s Volleyball on X and Instagram (@ManhattanMVBall).



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Hadziahmetovic, Hale and Marshall Among Ball State Leaders at Badgers Midwest Invite

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CHICAGO — Ball State won four of its 10 events Saturday in the Badgers Midwest Invite, hosted by the University of Wisconsin at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track at Gately Center. Early in the Cardinals’ indoor season, the three-team event gave head coach Adrian Wheatley an opportunity to carry a young roster and gain experience for the season ahead.

The Cardinals used a lineup heavy with freshmen and sophomores, including 6 of 7 Ball State entries in the 300m dash that was won by freshman Amina Hadziahmetovic. Winning her first college event, the freshman from nearby Mount Prospect, Illinois, set a personal record and led Ball State finishers who claimed four of the top five places, out of 17 runners. Shortly after winning her first college medal she earned another, pacing the Cardinals’ 4x400m relay team comprised of three freshman. Hadziahmetovic led off the 4×400, then handed to senior Abby Brennan who passed the winning baton to freshmen Haylie Yeazell and Lia Patterson.

Sophomore Kylee Marshall posted her best jump of the season while getting past 12 participants to claim first place in the long jump. It was the second long jump win of her career. She also finished in sixth place to lead Ball State competitors in the 60m dash.

Sophomore Lexi Hale won the high jump competition, besting 10 competitors including teammates Bella Jackson and Malina Miller who both cleared the same height at 1.65m. Hale matched her personal best and was the only jumper to clear the height on her first try. Hale, Jackson and Miller were among four who advanced to a final height at 1.70m. None cleared that height in three tries and Hale earned the win.

Senior Kenli Nettles finished second in the 60m hurdles with a personal record time of 8.76. In the 3,000 meters, freshman Emily Decker finished second with a time of 10:01.01 and junior Maci Hoskins finished third with a personal-best time of 10:10.48.

High Jump

1st, Lexi Hale, So. – 1.65m PR (tie)

t-2nd, Bella Jackson, Gr. – 1.79m

t-2nd, Malina Miller, Jr. – 1.75m

60m Hurdles

2nd, Kenli Nettles, Gr. – 8.76 PR

3rd, Lia Patterson, Fr. – 8.97

6th, Lily Eagleston, Fr. – 9.28

Long Jump

1st, Kylee Marshall, So. – 5.70m

6th, Anisa Barnett, Fr. – 5.27m

7th, Brenna Lehrke, Sr. – 5:07m

DNF, Kenli Nettles, Gr. – foul

60m Dash

6th, Kylee Marshall, So. – 7.76

8th, Trinity Bibbs, Fr. – 7.81

Savannah Lake, So. – 7.84

Jiah Davenport, So. – 7.90

Weight Throw

7th, Malena Higgins, Sr. – 15.09m

11th, Brooklyn Taylor, Jr. – 12.59m

12th, Sydney Miller, Jr. – 12.19m

300m Dash 

1st, Amina Hadziahmetovic, Fr. – 40.79 PR

2nd, Abby Brennan, Sr. – 40.89 PR

4th, Haylie Yeazell, Fr. – 41.24

5th, Savannah Lake, So. – 41.41 PR

11th, Trinity Bibbs, Fr. – 42.73

13th, Jiah Davenport, So. – 43.43 PR

14th, Lily Eagleston, Fr. – 43.89

Triple Jump

5th, Brenna Lehrke, Sr. – 11.30m

DNF, Anisa Barnett, Fr. – foul

3,000m Run

2nd, Emily Decker, Fr. – 10:10.01

3rd, Maci Hoskins, Jr. – 10:10.48 PR

Shot Put

3rd, Brooklyn Taylor, Jr. – 13.18m

4th, Sydney Miller, Jr., 13.03m

5th, Malena Higgins, Sr. – 12.82m

9th, Kenli Nettles, Gr. – 12.11m

4x400m Relay

1st, Hadziahmetovic, Brennan, Yeazell, Patterson – 3:56.48

 



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Damis, Bolaske Post Top 40 Division III Marks as Indoor Track Gets Back in Action

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MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Eden Damis and Tyler Bolaske each posted top 40 Division III marks while Keith O’Donnell also added an event victory as the Keene State College track and field teams resumed their indoor season on Saturday when they visited Middlebury College for the Snowflake Invitational at the Virtue Field House.

KSC compiled 15 top three finishes or better at the meet, paced by a pair of marks that a pair of Owls will look to build on as it relates to NCAA qualification.  Damis’ 14.00-meter triple jump, a personal record which came on his sixth and final attempt, is currently good for 21st in Division III and beat out Middlebury College senior Tony Wang by nearly a meter.  Bolaske, coming off a NCAA championship individual qualification in cross country, has a building block of 4:25.88 in the mile, also a PR for him and the current 40th-best time in Division III.  In the event today, he edged out Patrick Russell of St. Lawrence University by three seconds to be one of the three event winners for KSC.  Keith O’Donnell also edged a member of the Saints, finishing .30 seconds ahead of Riley Cushman with his mark of 1:09.16.

Other noteworthy efforts came from Molly Lu McKellar, who ran the women’s 60-meter hurdles in 9.77 for a third-place finish.  McKenna Castor was fourth in that event in 9.92.  Freshman Keagan Ware ran the men’s 500 meters in 1:16.59 to finish in third in that event as KSC had three of the top four.  Fellow rookie Andrew Klinedinst ran the 3,000 meters in 9:15.58 to place third of 19 competitors, finishing only behind two times from the host Panthers that are current top-100 Division III marks.  Senior Maggie St. John ran a time inside the top 100 (93rd) on the women’s side in the same event, finishing in 11:04.09 for a runner-up nod.  Keene State also had two of the top three in the women’s long jump, with Caroline Cooper posting a PR mark of 5.06 meters (2nd of 14) and Ballay Conteh third (5.00 meters).  Caden Latulippe was third (3.95 meters) in the men’s pole vault among a group of six that otherwise included all Middlebury participants.  Laurel McKellar finished second in the women’s triple jump (9.58 meters) while both KSC men’s and women’s 4×400 meter relay teams placed third.

“After today as a whole, we know we have more work to do,” said Owls head coach Dan Roark.  “We competed well but the marks and times will need to improve.  We had some event wins with Keith, Eden, and Tyler and some close seconds on the women’s side.  We are excited to get to work and come out strong next week at Plymouth.”

Keene State travels to the Panther Invitational hosted by PSU next Saturday (January 17) for a 10:00 a.m. start.



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