With more than 200 runners competing together in one race, space is at a premium at the start of the NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country championships in Louisville, Kentucky for Hope College.

There is no room for a slow start, senior Emily Joosse of Chillicothe, Ohio (Zane Trace HS) has learned.

"You've really got to put your nose out there and be aggressive - make some moves. You don't want to get caught behind," Joosse, pictured, said of the early conditions for the 32-team event at Sawyer State Park that begins at 11 a.m. Eastern.

There is live video streaming scheduled for the Flying Dutch's seven consecutive trip to nationals and 14th overall.

Joosse is making her fourth trip to nationals and third as one of Hope's top runners. She was an alternate as a freshman.

Joosse credits head coach Mark Northuis for scheduling events this season like the Greater Louisville Classic and the Wisconsin Oshkosh Invitational and getting she and her teammates prepared for the challenging conditions of a big meet.

"We've learned to get out there at the beginning," Joosse said, "get in a good position from the start that carries us through so we have room to move at the end."

Joosse and her teammates head into the meet as Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champions. They received an at-large berth to nationals after finishing third at last weekend's Great Lakes Regional at West Ottawa Golf Club.

Senior Erin Herrmann of Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton-Warrenville South) was the MIAA and Great Lakes Regional champion.

Herrmann has a chance to become the second Flying Dutch to be a two-time All-American. Becky Timmer accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998.

Herrmann is one of seven Flying Dutch runners to earn All-American status in cross country.