Two industrial and systems engineering students find success in the classroom and on the track

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"Don't believe everything you read about the city of Detroit. That's one of the messages Elizabeth and Gabrielle Herriman will take with them when they leave the city and, possibly, return to Sand Creek.

But, for now, the dynamic Aggie duo has found a home in Detroit's midtown area, home of the Wayne State University Warriors. The juniors were recently awarded All-Midwest Region honors in women's track and field. This week, Elizabeth Herriman will compete in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association championships in Bradenton, Florida.

"It's very different from Sand Creek," said Elizabeth. "There was a little transition when we came here. Having my sister here definitely helped me a lot. It's made it more enjoyable. I'm very happy we came here."

Both of the Herrimans were multi-sport athletes at Sand Creek. They were part of an Aggie basketball team that advanced to the state semifinals and also played softball and participated in track. Both girls picked up the javelin in college - an event not offered in high school.

"I heard about the javelin," Elizabeth said. "I asked my coach about it, and she said to try it. I like the event."

Elizabeth picked it up almost right away. She was a second team All-American last year and set a Wayne State record this year with a throw of 44.45 meters - the distance that met the qualifying standard for the national championships. She is ranked No. 21 out of 22 qualifiers. Gabrielle narrowly missed qualifying, but still threw far enough (39.47m) to place second in the meet behind her sister.

The national championships begin Thursday. The javelin competition is Saturday, May 28. Gabrielle plans to go to cheer her sister on.

Both girls also throw the shot put, and Gabrielle also competes in the hammer toss.

"It's a lot of fun to throw," Gabrielle said. "The hammer was a slow process, because I had to learn it from scratch. You have to be technically sound to throw it."

Elizabeth won the javelin at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships. She threw the javelin 43.17 meters to become the first throwing event conference champion in program history. She also finished sixth in the shot put (school record 13.95 meters) and 12th in the discus (41.92).

Gabrielle took third place in the javelin (37.06) and 21st in the shot put (11.44).

Both girls are enrolled in industrial engineering programs at Wayne State. They live just off campus in an apartment for members of the women's track team."

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