Bullet Shot: Elizabeth Hilfrank
Elizabeth Hilfrank (Submitted photo)
By Claire Healey, Co-Sports Editor
Senior Elizabeth Hilfrank will be competing in her final cross country competition this weekend. Following a 10th place finish at the DIII Mid-East Regional competition last week, she automatically qualified for the NCAA National Championship, which she calls her biggest accomplishment of a long and impressive career.
Hilfrank began running in middle school, following in the steps of her older sister. “It was kind of a joke in middle school. Everyone did it, and our practices often were nothing more than a game of capture the flag,” she said.
The love of cross country developed in high school when she continued to race, just as her sister had done. Her high school team still represents some of her favorite moments from her career.
“My favorite moment was probably in high school at our league jamboree at the beginning of senior year. It was a really fun race, and it set up what would be my best high school season, and the best for the team too.”
Hilfrank has been a member of the Gettysburg team since her first-year and has served as team captain for the 2017 season. While cross country is about an individual time, the team has a strong chemistry.
“I will most miss the opportunity to routinely exercise with a team. I love everyone on my team, and I would definitely not exercise as much.”
Hilfrank is an individualized major with a focus in journalism. She is hoping to find a job post-graduation and wants to go into magazine publishing.
As for what she’ll miss most at Servo, Hilfrank said, “Either the chicken bruschetta or the brie and apple stuffed chicken…and the majority of the desserts.”
Editor’s Note: After this article was published, Hilfrank finished 40th among 279 runners at the NCAA Division III championships to capture recognition as an All-American after she recorded the fastest 6K time in program history. Hilfrank is co-sports editor for The Gettysburgian, but she was not involved in the editorial aspects of this article. (B. Pontz)
