Erin Herrmann and Elizabeth Perkins have been named co-recipients of the Hope College John Schouten award as the top female senior student-athletes for the 2016-17 school year.
The Schouten Award is named in memory of John (Jack) Schouten, a long-time physical
educator at Hope and the college's first athletic director. It has been presented
annually since 1983.
Both Herrmann and Perkins were multi-sport athletes this school year: Herrmann in
cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field, and Perkins in soccer
and basketball.
Herrmann became the Flying Dutch’s second two-time All-American in cross country this
fall with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships. She joined
Marcia Vandersall (1992) as the Flying Dutch's highest finishers at nationals.
Herrmann led the Flying Dutch to a 10th-place finish as a team: their fifth Top-10
finish at nationals.
Herrmann finished ninth in the 3,000 meters at the Division III indoor track & field championships.
Herrmann clocked the nation’s fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase time this spring.
Herrmann earned Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Runner
honors in cross country and outdoor track & field.
Herrmann helped the Flying Dutch win the MIAA cross country title and finish runner-up
in outdoor track & field.
Perkins tied for the NCAA Division III lead with a school-record 25 goals during the
regular season.
Perkins also recorded seven assists for a school-record 57 points.
Perkins was named MIAA MVP this season after leading the Flying Dutch to a share of
the regular-season championship, an MIAA tournament title and the fifth NCAA Tournament
appearance in team history. Hope finished with a 15-4-2 overall record.
Perkins was a key contributor in basketball before an injury limited her to seven
games.