Hope College junior Erin Herrmann of Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) claimed All-America honors with a 34th-place at the NCAA Division III Women’s Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Lake Breeze Golf Club in Winneconne, Wisconsin.
Herrmann became the eighth different Flying Dutch runner to earn All-American recognition.
Herrmann follows Becky Timmer (1997-98), Sheri McCormack (2013), Jennifer Ernst (1999), Ellen Schultz (1997), Amy Leatherman (1993), Alicia Mendenhall-Elmore (1993) and Marcia Vandersall (1992).
Herrmann was the best finisher and only All-American from the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Hope coach Mark Northuis said Herrmann ran a very smart race.
“She put herself in contention early, which kept her out of trouble with the big pack,” Northuis said. “She ran a lifetime-best time. When that happens, you know the season was paced out correctly. She has made tremendous improvements this year through hard work and mental toughness.”
Hope finished 28th in the team standings with 591 points. The Flying Dutch had the MIAA’s top finish.
Junior Emily Joosse of Chillicothe, Ohio (Zane Trace HS) came in 177th at 22:50.4.
Freshman Sarah Neumar of Ann Arbor, Michigan (Huron HS) took 188th at 22:53.7.
Senior Julia Stock of Norton Shores, Michigan (Grand Haven HS) placed 198th at 22:56.8.
Senior Michelle Kerr of Dearborn, Michigan (Divine Child HS), finished 207th at 23:02.0.
Freshman Avery Lowe of North Muskegon, Michigan (North Muskegon HS) took 231st at 23:14.2.
Freshman Emily Hamilton of Naperville, Illinois (Naperville North HS) was 242nd at 23:20.2.
“The rest of the team was stuck in the pack early and took a few miles to work their way out,” Northuis said. “We finished strong over the last 2K, but it was enough to overcome the early deficit.”