VU distance runner Hope Laughlin signs with Nova Southeastern

VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Track and Field distance runner, sophomore Hope Laughlin (Olney, Ill.) signed to continue her athletic and academic careers at NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wednesday afternoon.

Laughlin is joining a Sharks program led by Head Coach Bryan Hagopian, who has coached 42 Individual Conference Champions and 12 NCAA All-Americans in his 12 year career at Nova Southeastern.

"Nova has a very good athletic and academic program," Laughlin said. "They also have a lot of internships and opportunities that will help me build my resume and experience for my masters degree and future career as an occupational therapist. Also the warm weather and the beach definitely played an important factor in my choice."

Laughlin has been a member of the Trailblazers Cross Country and Track and Field programs the last two seasons, competing in the 800, 1000, 1500, mile, 3000 and 5000 meter races for the VU Track program.

Laughlin recently set a new PR in the Mile at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic in Allendale, Mich., posting a time of 5:47.78.

Laughlin also closed out her VU Cross Country career in style, setting a new PR at the 2022 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships with a time of 21:42.5.

Laughlin also has collegiate PRs of 2:42.69 in the 800, 3:34.69 in the 1000, 5:22.67 in the 1500, 11:42.20 in the 3000 and 21:25.66 in the 5000 in her VU track career.

Laughlin also competed as a member of the Vincennes Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Her team finished with a time of 13:48.54 and placed 14th overall.

Laughlin has helped guide the VU women's Track team to a No. 24-ranking in the USTFCCCA polls and the VU women's Cross Country program to a No. 16-ranking this past fall.

"My favorite memories at VU were spending time with my teammates at Track and Cross Country meets," Laughlin added. "Especially the exhilarating feelings of experiencing all of my teammates and myself succeed and celebrating our races and successes."

"My coaches and teachers have always believed in me and supported me with my busy schedule balancing sports, school and work all at the same time," Laughlin said. "They have always had high expectations for me that has pushed me to continue to work hard every day and to push through any hard tasks such as hard practices, races, or busy weeks of schoolwork and it has helped me learn about balance and growth as a person."

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Hope Laughlin on her signing with Nova Southeastern University and wishes her good luck as she continues her running career next fall.