Sarah Hopkins

Biography

Sarah (Hesser) Hopkins serves as the head coach of both the Gopher cross country programs and is an assistant coach for the women's track & field team. The 2024 cross country season will mark her fourth season leading both the men’s and women’s cross country programs, her 12th season as the women's cross country head coach and 20th season with the program overall. The 2013-14 season was Hopkins' first season as the head coach of the women's cross country program after serving as a volunteer assistant for eight seasons. She replaced long-time head coach Gary Wilson following his retirement after the conclusion of the 2012-13 track & field season. Most recently the 2023 cross country season under Hopkins saw Minnesota finish ninth on both the men's and women's side at the Big Ten Championships. Minnesota's top finishers at the Big Ten Cross Country competitions clocked personal best finishes with Brianne Brewster finishing 28th and Eli Hoeft ending in 47th overall. Minnesota's women's team had the better performance at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Stillwater, Okla., finishing fourth out of 32 teams but missing out on a bid to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. On the track Hopkins group produced another incredible young talent in Big Ten 3000m steeplechase champion, Zoie Dundon. Dundon's Big Ten championship was followed by a bid to the NCAA Championships where she went on to make the final and finish 12th overall nationally for a Second Team All-America distinction as a red