True freshman Laura Hoer won four of the six competitions she competed in this season, finishing her historic season as an All-American with a  21st place finish in the women’s 6k race at the NCAA Championships Nov. 22.  She is the 41st All-American in the history of NC State’s women’s cross country program and only the 10th to do so as a freshman.

After beginning the season with two consecutive wins, Hoer finished fifth in the NCAA Pre-Nationals, only five seconds behind the leader.  She followed that by becoming the third N.C. State freshman in the last 12 years to win the ACC title and only the second ever to win a NCAA regional championship.

“It’s really rare for a runner, especially a freshman to come in so prepare,” junior Emily Pritt, 2009 All-ACC, All-NCAA Regional and All-American runner, said.  “Her preparation, training, attitude and maturity made her able to.”

Hoer has a close relationship with the other members on the team and focuses more on the success of the program than her own.  The NC State women finished 24th at nationals, marking the 24th top-25 finish by the women in the 30 years since the NCAA began crowning a women’s national cross country champion in 1981.

“She is going to be a great team leader and she’s going to be a great part of this program and there is no limit to what is next for her,” Pritt said.  “I’m really happy she chose our program and really happy she is my teammate.  The sky is the limit for this program over the next number of years.”