Track and Field's Sara Schermerhorn Clocks Nation's Fastest Time in the Indoor 400 meters

The junior improves her own school record on Friday at GVSU

Hope College sprinter Sara Schermerhorn ripped off the fastest NCAA Division III women's time in the 400 meters on Friday at the Grand Valley State University Big Meet.

The junior from Traverse City, Michigan (Traverse City West HS) recorded a converted time of 55.31 seconds on GVSU's oversized track.

The non-converted run of 54.98 is also the fastest 400-meter run on an oversized track in Division III women's indoor track history, according to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Schermerhorn placed third out of 29 400-meter runners in the GVSU field that included all NCAA and NAIA divisions.

In the 4x400 relay, Schermerhorn anchored a second-place effort of 3:53.60 with junior Catherine Leahy (Elk Rapids, Michigan / Elk Rapids), junior Frances Cozzens (Lyman, New Hampshire / Saint Johnsbury Academy) and freshman Sofia Fisher (Lombard, Illinois / Montini Catholic).

The time was the 11th-fastest in Division III this season.

In the 200 meters, Schermerhorn finished 18th with a run of 25.21 seconds that was second-fastest among Division III entrants.

Hope posted Top-20 performances in four more events.

In the pole vault, sophomore Abigail Cumings (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Forest Hills Central) placed 12th after clearing 2.95 meters (9 feet, 8 inches).

In the high jump, senior Allison Schram (Fenton, Michigan / Hartland) took 14th after clearing 1.48 meters (4-10 ¼).

In the triple jump, sophomore Kiersten Schmitt (Rockford, Michigan / Grand Rapids Christian) finished 14th with a leap of 9.92 meters (32-6 ½). Schram was 15th at 9.44 meters (30-11 ¾).

In the 800 meters, sophomore Amanda Markham (Hoffman Estates, Illinois / William Fremd) took 18th at 2:21.81.

Hope competes next at GVSU's Tune-Up on Friday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. It is the Flying Dutch's final meet before the MIAA Indoor Championships on Saturday, March 1, at Trine University.

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