It’s been a 
big week for freshman cross-country runner Laura Velderman of Hopkins.
The first-year running sensation captured individual medalist honors in her division at the Michigan State University Spartan Invitational Friday in East Lansing. She won in 21:13, by 16 seconds over senior Kayla DelaCruz of Salem.
Earlier in the week Velderman took top individual honors for the first time in her career by besting all comers in the Delton-Gilmore Invitational.
The Hopkins girls’ team finished seventh in the 19-team field at MSU with 186 team points. Salem won it with 60 and Saginaw Heritage was third with 123.
The Hopkins guys finished 17th with 521 team points. LaSalle won the 40-team competition with 50 and Livonia Stevenson was second with 64.
Jasmine Fisher was the second best Lady Viking for the day, as the freshman took 45th in 23:16. She was followed by Taryn Kilbane, 51st in 23:24; Madison Snoeyink, 58th in 23:42, and Samantha Myers, 89th in 24:16.
Sophomore Ethan Nagel led the Viking boys with a 47th place in 19:20. Freshman Dan Rausch, who has been running strong of late, checked in 50th in 19:25, and rounding out the scoring were Christopher Tortorelli, Josh Verburg and Jared Bowman.
PHOTO: Laura Velderman and her medal at MSU.
Freshman Jasmine Fisher was the second best Lady Viking runner at MSU, finishing 45th.
