Olivia Hoogland (Orange City, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to attend Dordt University and join the Defender women's cross country and track and field programs.  

Hoogland is a 5'7" distance runner who has competed a combined seven seasons for the Unity Christian High School cross country and track and field teams heading into the spring. Hoogland qualified for the state cross country championship all four years, finishing 28th as an individual her senior year. She finished third at the Siouxland Conference meet, earning all-conference honors for the fourth straight year. Hoogland also qualified for the state track and field meet in the 3000m in 2022.

"I am excited to welcome Olivia to our program," commented Dordt Head Cross Country Coach Nate Wolf.  "Olivia is coming off of a fantastic senior cross country season that looks to propel her into an outstanding final high school track season this spring. She is a driven athlete who loves to run and has the ability  to impact our program in a variety of areas.  Additionally, Olivia is an outstanding fit for Dordt University and will be a vibrant member of the greater campus community.  I look forward to working with Olivia for the next four years."

Hoogland has personal bests of 5:16 in the 1500m, 11:34 in the 3000m and 20:10 in the 5K. Hoogland plans to study Exercise Science at Dordt and is the daughter of Marlin and Valerie. 

"I chose to attend Dordt University because of the strong, Christ-Centered community, its strong academic programs and its outstanding cross country and track and field programs," said Hoogland.  

Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. The Defender athletic program is a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA).    

U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review all list Dordt on their best colleges lists. Dordt is home to approximately 1,500 students.