The University of the Cumberlands (UC) Women’s Cross Country team started off their season racing in San Francisco, California this past weekend. The NAIA #24 ranked Patriots are looking to make a name for themselves in the coming months of competition before heading into the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Championships. With her run this past weekend, one Patriot caught the eyes of the MSC and earned weekly honors from across the conference.
Senior Danielle Hoop (Owenton, Ky.) earned the first Mid-South Conference Runner of the Week award, the conference announced on Tuesday. This is the 1st time Danielle has earned the honor this season and her 4th award in her career.
Hoop finished 16th against a predominately NCAA Division I field at the San Francisco (Calif.) Invitational ran at Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow. Danielle finished the 5,000 meters in 18 minutes and 52 seconds in the field of 87 competitors. She was the top NAIA finisher in the field. Hoop earned 16 points for her finish to lead the Patriots to an eighth place team finish.
The Patriot ladies will be back on the course on September 5th as they take part in the Queen City Invitational.
For more information on the Patriot Women’s Cross Country program along with other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.