NCAA Division III Women's Cross Country National Championships Preview

Molly Durow's ascension this Hope College cross country season has not surprised head coach Mark Northuis.

The senior from Glenview, Illinois (Glenbrook South) leads the Flying Dutch into the NCAA Division III national championships. The 6K race begins at 11 a.m. today at the Roger Milliken Cross Country Course in Spartanburg, S.C.

Durow finished as runner-up at last week's Great Lakes Regional championships in Louisville, Kentucky. Hope finished third as a team and earned an at-large berth to compete at nationals.

"This year is about Molly putting everything together," Northuis said. "She had a breakthrough past spring [during track season], she saw she could compete at this level. She always put the work in, but really worked on the mental side of running. She found 'I can do this' and it made a difference."

Durow topped a group of four all-region honorees for the Orange and Blue, joined Grace Baldauff, sophomore Mary England and freshman Dylan Ballin.

Seven more teammates are part of Hope's pack for nationals: Shelby Bolser, Lexi Deighan, Olivia Ippel, Taylor Mitchell, Miranda Sawvel, Anna Sybenga, and Annika Sytsma.

The Flying Dutch return to nationals after missing out last season.

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Players Mentioned

Grace Baldauff: Junior; Biology

Shelby Bolser: Junior; Social Work

Lexi Deighan: Senior; Public Acct/Business

Molly Durow: Senior; Elementary Education

Mary England: Sophomore; Exercise Science

Annika Sytsma: Junior; Biology

Dylan Ballin: Freshman

Olivia Ippel: Junior

Miranda Sawvel: Freshman

Anna Sybenga: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Grace Baldauff
: Junior; Biology

Shelby Bolser
: Junior; Social Work

Lexi Deighan
: Senior; Public Acct/Business

Molly Durow
: Senior; Elementary Education

Mary England
: Sophomore; Exercise Science

Annika Sytsma
: Junior; Biology

Dylan Ballin
: Freshman

Olivia Ippel
: Junior

Miranda Sawvel
: Freshman

Anna Sybenga
: Freshman