Heptathlete Jane Pearson and steeplechase runner Erin Herrmann will represent Hope College at the 2015 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week.
The two All-MIAA athletes will compete at nationals, which will run Thursday, May 21 through Saturday, May 23 in Canton, New York.
Pearson has qualified for the heptathlon at nationals for the second time in her career. The junior from Lake City, Michigan (Northern Michigan Christian HS), finished 18th as a sophomore.
Pearson is seeded 13th this season with a score of 4,588 points. She competes on Thursday and Friday.
Pearson was MIAA champion in the javelin and long jump this season. Both are heptathlon events, along with 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash and 800-meter runs.
Hope coach Kevin Cole said Pearson is capable of finishing in the top eight and earning All-America honors.
“It’s within reach,” Cole said. “If she gets close to her best marks in all the events, she would be in the top eight. It’ seven events, and you’ve got to put them all together at the right time.”
Herrmann has advanced to nationals for the first time. The sophomore from Wheaton, Illinois (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), is seeded 20th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10 minutes, 56.68 seconds.
Herrmann was the MIAA champion in the steeplechase earlier this month.
Herrmann’s preliminary race is Thursday. She is capable of making the top 14 and moving on to Saturday’s final, Cole said.
“Steeplechase is an interesting event,” Cole said. “If you get in with the right group of runners and run your best race on the right day, you can advance. She can advance.”