By Chloe Adam
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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*Update (11/17/2015): Tuscarora High School senior Fitsum Seyoum has officially signed his National Letter of Intent to run cross country and track at Virginia Tech.
Leesburg (November 13, 2015) — Tuscarora High School senior Fitsum Seyoum has chosen to continue his running career at Virginia Tech starting in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“Honestly, sophomore year, this was just all a dream. It seemed impossible at the moment. Now that I’m here and I’m committed, I feel beyond blessed and all glory goes to God for giving me this opportunity to do what I love!” Seyoum said. “I also want to say thank you to all my friends, family, school, coaches and teammates for supporting me in everything I do; it means the world to me!”
Virginia Tech is a 2,600-acre school with 31,000 full-time students located in Blacksburg. Not only known for its academic reputation, the Division I Hokies men’s cross country team — including Loudoun County High School graduates Thomas Curtin (2011) and Patrick Joseph (2013) – is currently ranked No. 18 in the nation.
“When I went on my official visit, the school was just so amazing; it was like going to New York for the first time,” the 5-foot-9 long distance runner said. “The coaches were great and the teammates treated me like family as soon as I got there.”
The Tusky senior has shot to the top of the state’s VHSL 5A rankings. Seyoum has claimed a first place finish in the Conference 14 championship (15:50), VHSL 5A North region championship (16:06), the New Balance Pacers Running DCXC Invitational (15:53), the Monroe Parker Invitational (15:18) and the Great Meadow Invitational (15:46). The Eritrea-native also placed second at the LCPS Championship (16:03) trailing only Division I Oregon-commit Drew Hunter.
“The person who has kept me motivated is definitely coach [Troy] Harry,” Seyoum said. “He shared the same dream I had, and I trusted him 100-percent to get me where I wanted to be.”
Harry is in his sixth year coaching cross country and is also the head coach of the girls track and field team at Tuscarora.
“My season so far has been amazing. My coaches have done a great job of getting me fit. The workouts have been great and my races have reflected that,” Seyoum added. “Team wise I am so proud of the guys. We have come a long way. We are the first boys team to make it to states. They put in consistent work, and I’m happy to call those guys my family.”
After finishing 13th in the 2014 VHSL 5A state championship, Seyoum will race as one of the favorites for the 2015 VHSL 5A state crown on November 13 at Great Meadow in The Plains.
