Emily Erdman picks Lindenwood-Belleville

New Richmond High School senior cross country runner Emily Erdman has signed to attend and run cross country for Lindenwood-Belleville (Illinois) University. Erdman finished 9th in the SBAAC and 25th in the OHSAA Div . II Southwest District and helped the Lady Lions to league and district titles last fall.

New Richmond High School senior cross country runner Emily Erdman has signed to attend and run cross country for Lindenwood-Belleville (Illinois) University.

Emily Erdman is joined (from left) by Lindenwood-Belleville coach Tammy Accola-Newell, New Richmond High School cross country coach Ryland Shebesta (standing) and her parents, Tracy and Lee Erdman after signing her letter-of-intent April 17.

"I got an email from the coach (Tammy Accola-Newell) and decided to call her back," said Erdman, who helped the Lady Lions to Southern Buckeye Conference American Division and OHSAA Div. II Southwest District titles last fall. "I decided to visit the school and loved the coach and campus."

Erdman finished 9th in the SBAAC championships and 25th in the districts. She plans to major in Web Design and Marketing at Lindenwood-Belleville which is located in the Greater St. Louis area and affiliated with Lindenwood University of St. Charles, Mo.

The impression Erdman made during the visit was enough to convince coach Accola-Newell was enough to make the 6-hour drive to New Richmond for the April 17 signing ceremony.

“I was looking at the Ohio cross country runners on line and sent her an email and she called me back the next day," said Accola-Newell who is in her fourth year as the Lynx cross country coach. Her 2012 squad finished 10th in the NAIA nationals. "I recruit everywhere and Emily is my 8th commitment for next year when we hope to have 25 girls in our program."

Posted Thursday, April 18, 2013