Women's Swimmers Clock Two All-America Finishes in the 100 Backstroke

Pictured from left, sophomore Sara Kraus and Katie Hermann

The Hope College women's swimming and diving team celebrated a rare feat during Day 3 of the NCAA Division III Championships.

Two Flying Dutch swimmers made the medal stand in the same event for the second time in program history on Friday at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C.

Sophomore Sara Kraus and freshman Katie Hermann placed fifth and eighth, respectively, in the 100-yard backstroke. They joined twin sisters Susan Looman and Sara Looman, who, in 1994, went 1-2 in the 100 backstroke.

The Loomans marked the first time in the history of the national meet that sisters, let alone twin sisters, finished one-two in an event.

Head coach Jake Taber said his swimmers are doing a good job and staying in the present relishing the moment at nationals.

"We've wanted to take this meet one swim at a time and be grateful for our opportunities. To medal twice in the same event, in the championship final, is even more exciting," Taber said. "It's a big deal for us and our program. To do it with a freshman and a sophomore, we're excited for those two women."

Kraus (Rockford, Michigan / Rockford HS) touched the wall at 55.44 seconds to claim her second All-America honor in the event. In 2022, Kraus finished seventh.

During prelims, Kraus, the two-time MIAA Most Valuable Swimmer, recorded the fourth-fastest swim at 55.09.

Hermann (Canton, Michigan / Mercy) posted the eighth-fastest swims in both the finals (56.06) and prelims (55.94).

Kenyon College (Ohio) senior Olivia Smith won the 100 backstroke in 55 seconds flat.

The Flying Dutch also earned Second All-America honors in the 4x200 freestyle relay.

In a timed final, Hope finished 11th. Sophomore Greta Gidley (Franklin, Michigan / Mercy), Kraus, freshman Ashlea Swingewood (Carmel, Indiana / Carmel) and freshman Laurel Wasiniak (Northville, Michigan / Northville) clocked a swim of 7:31.28.

Sophomore diver Abby Koops (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Northern) placed 21st in 1-meter diving.

The two-time MIAA Most Valuable Diver recorded an 11-dive score of 364.65 points for her highest finish in two trips to nationals.

In the team standings, Hope is tied for 11th place with Amherst College (Mass.). Both teams have 94.5 points and trailed 10th-place Johns Hopkins University (Md.) by a half-point.

Denison University (Ohio) heads into the final day of the four-day meet in first place with 350.5 points. Emory University (Ga.) is second with 292.

On Saturday, March 18, prelims start at 10 a.m., finals at 6 p.m. Both sessions will be streamed at ncaa.com.

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