A year ago, Erin Herrmann went to the NCAA Division III Championship just hoping to become a cross country All-American.
Three-hundred sixty-three days later, the Hope College standout is so much more.
The senior from Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) possesses one of two best finishes at cross country nationals in Flying Dutch history. Herrmann also is a two-time All-American — the second in school history.
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, I suppose," a humbled Herrmann said after Saturday's fourth-place finish at the 2016 NCAA Division III Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. "It's been amazing. I never thought I was capable of doing something like that. It's amazing to be part of a team that helped me grow as much as I did and showed me I could be something I never thought I could be."
Herrmann joined Marcia Vandersall (1992) as the Flying Dutch's highest finishers at nationals.
Herrmann clocked a time of 20 minutes, 51.1 seconds on the 6K course at Sawyer State Park. She helped the Flying Dutch place 10th overall for their fifth Top-10 finish at nationals.
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Hope coach Mark Northuis was impressed with Herrmann's performance.
"She beat last year's national champion and was running with the top group of leaders," Northuis said. "The top 10 ladies, many of them are steeplechase runners like Erin. It was interesting to see that strength translate over to cross country. Erin's strength helped her. It was windy both days, with gusts over 25 miles per hour. She just ran right through them."
Herrmann didn't have much of a choice.
The top runners in the field started off fast, taking off like lightning, she said.
"We knew that's how the race was going to start," Herrmann said. "We started off fast, but it never really slowed down. There never was much of a settling point. Everyone kept pushing. It was crazy."
The finish was frantic, too.
Herrmann edged Ohio Wesleyan's Sarah Fowler at the finish line for fourth place. Both runners had the same time.
Herrmann leaned forward at the finish line to top Fowler.
"I knew other girls were coming. I could hear from the fans. I didn't know how close," Herrmann said. "I knew I was going to give everything I had, and I did.
"Amazing competition. It was an honor to be part of. A lot of pain, but it was a phenomenal experience."
In her final cross country race, Herrmann shared one last lesson to her teammates who will be returning next season. Her legacy goes beyond her elite achievements.
"She has been a phenomenal leader," Northuis said. "Her example and the way she has been able to help younger runners and everyone by showing them what a good attitude and hard work can do. These kids listen and they follow instructions."
