There was a bit of suspense when it came time for Leah Nugent to announce her college choice on Monday morning. With a television camera rolling and cameras flashing, the Abington star studied the three sweatshirts on the table in front of her, first reaching for the Ohio State sweatshirt and then the Texas A&M sweatshirt before picking up the Virginia Tech sweatshirt, a move that was greeted by spontaneous applause from family and friends in attendance.
“I have decided to take my talents to Virginia Tech,” she said. “I want to be a Hokie.”
Moments later, Nugent made it official, signing her name on a letter of intent to accept a track scholarship to Virginia Tech. It ended an intense recruiting war for her talents.
Nugent is the state record holder in the 300m hurdles (41.46), sharing that mark with former Methacton star Ryan Krais. This past spring, Nugent emerged from a star-studded field to become the first American girl to win the 400-meter hurdles championship at the Penn Relays. Nugent set a new record for the spring outdoor season, edging Jamaica’s Ristananna Tracey and finishing with a time of 59.15.
With her signing, Nugent puts behind her what she characterized a stressful recruiting process.
“It was so stressful,” she said. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.”
Nugent notified Virginia Tech of her decision to accept its scholarship offer last Wednesday. She made it official on Monday.
“It feels good,” she said. “Now it’s all done – less stress.”
Leah Nugent – Virginia Tech University (Track)
Major: English with the goal of becoming a dentist. ‘When you want to be a dentist, usually people major in biology or chemistry, but I know if you have (a major) that has nothing to do with the sciences, you’re more unique in that aspect. English will be the best choice because that will make me stand out from the people who major in the sciences.’
Final list of colleges: Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Ohio State
Reasons for choosing Virginia Tech: ‘Virginia Tech was my first visit, and I really liked it. I kind of knew I was going there from my first visit. I fell in love with it at first sight, but I wanted to take more visits. I still felt Virginia Tech was the best choice for me.
‘I really liked the coaching staff. I liked the academics. I think this is a school where I can accomplish my dreams and goals of wanting to become an Olympian and a dentist. I thank both (Texas A&M and Ohio State) for having me come visit their schools and having an interest in me. I was honored.’
How did you get your start in track? “I have been cheerleading for a long time. Track was just something I started in junior high. My friend Nicole introduced me to it. I was originally a distance runner. I tried hurdles, but they told me not to do hurdles and that made me want to do it even more. I guess they just thought I wasn’t coordinated.”
Abington sprint coach Karl Gaines says: ‘She’s Olympic material. She has a very, very good college coach – I know him personally. She’s going to a very good program. She’ll probably be in the 2016 (Olympics), maybe 2012 but definitely 2016. She has that type of talent and potential, and her desire to win is very good.
‘Her sophomore year when she false started at indoor states, she was the anchor for both relays. I went over to her and said, ‘You can wallow in your disappointment or you can pick yourself off the floor. You still have two relays left.’ In the 4x400, she caught the girl who won the open 400. Her drive to win – you can’t teach that, and that’s what sets her apart from everybody else. She does not like to lose, but when she does, she can bounce back. That’s the quality she has that sets her apart. She does whatever it takes to win, and you can’t teach that.
‘When she started out, she wasn’t that coordinated. When I first saw her, I saw her in the summertime. She ran for my track club, but she had that will to not give up. As she got on the weights, she got stronger and more coordinated. At the next level, she will be very, very good. Her college coach is a good coach. She will fit in well down there.”
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