SWINDON athlete Andrew Sherman has just received the highest possible sporting honour from his former college in America, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

In a special ceremony together with all his former teammates, the 34-year-old from Wroughton was inducted into the Butler University Athletic Hall of fame as a member of the 2004 Cross Country team.

“I’m extremely honoured, and proud to be part of this team being recognised by Butler University, and inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Sherman.

“Butler holds a very special place in my own personal history, so to be part of its athletic history moving forward means a lot.

“2004 was a very special season for all the guys in that team, from our first race right to the moment the score board at the finish line turned over and showed us in the top four of the National Championship race.”

The former British international, who started his career at Swindon Harriers, won a scholarship to the university in Indianapolis following his impressive achievements as a junior.

Sherman was a member of the 2004 Butler University Cross Country Team in the US, which after a highly successful season in multiple national level collegiate competitions, placed fourth in the NCAA Collegiate National Championships against the best teams and individual athletes in the US collegiate system.

At the time, it was the highest any team had placed in Butler University history, and took the Butler University Cross Country program to a new level on the national stage and Sherman was named Athlete of the Year for the Horizon League Conference.

After graduating Sherman stayed in America working as a web designer and two years ago he married an American and the city of Indianapolis is now home.

“My individual collegiate career was a rough ride of injury and ups and downs, but it’s something I’ll always reflect on with extremely fond memories, and something I learnt a great deal from that is still helping me as I train and race many years later,” he added.

“I owe many different people and parties on both UK and US soil for the athletic success I have had over my career, and Butler has been a big part of that.

“It’s thanks to them I’ve been able to continue training and racing at a high level post University, which at one point in my career seemed unlikely at best. For that, I will always be indebted to this program.”