McLaughlin Named WhiteWave Homegrown Hero

BOULDER- Allie McLaughlin has been named this weekGÇÖs recipient in ColoradoGÇÖs partnership with WhiteWave to recognize our homegrown heroes.

McLaughlin is a 4-foot-10 sophomore, who, in her freshman season, had one of the best freshman campaigns in the history of CU cross country.

McLaughlin grew up in Colorado Springs, Colo., where she attended Air Academy. With a passion for all things active, she had always dreamed of playing college hockey. This dream was set aside when she began running cross country as a junior. She not only fell in love with the sport, but she was good at it. Her senior year she was undefeated and won the Colorado State 5A title by more than a minute with a PR of 17:04. Her performance did not go unnoticed, as The Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post, and The Colorado Springs Gazette named her Cross Country Runner of the Year. Her performances as a senior qualified her for the USA Junior Championships in 2008, where she placed fourth.

She decided to continue her cross country career at the collegiate level and became a Buff in 2009. During her freshman season she was the second-best harrier in the first four varsity meets. Her best performance was perhaps at the NCAA Championship where she led the Buffs with a fifth-place finish, becoming the highest-finishing freshman in the meet. Her performance earned her an All-American honor and Big 12 Runner-up.

McLaughlin is an open major, but strives for excellence in the classroom. In 2009 she was named a member of the Big 12 CommissionerGÇÖs Honor Roll.

About WhiteWave Foods

The mission of WhiteWave Foods is to be the Earth's favorite food company, by creating nutritious, innovative, responsibly-produced foods that nurture people and the planet. WhiteWave brands include Horizon(r), the leading national organic dairy brand; and Silk(r), the national category leader in natural and organic plant-based beverages, including Silk(r) Soymilk, Silk(r) Pure Almond and Silk(r) Pure Coconut. WhiteWave also makes International Delight(r), the nation's leading provider of flavored, liquid non-dairy creamers and LAND O LAKES(r)* liquid dairy products, including America's number one nationally branded Half & Half and Fat Free Half & Half. Based in Colorado, WhiteWave is committed to sustainability, from encouraging the use of renewable energy to reducing waste, water use and greenhouse gas emissions at its farms, plants and offices. For more information, visit WhiteWave online at www.whitewavefoods.com, explore the WhiteWave blog at www.thegrazingmind.com, or follow WhiteWave on Facebook and Twitter.

Colorado University Athletics