Spotlight Athlete: Victoria Abunaw, Springfield

4/12/2018
BLADE STAFF
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    Springfield High senior track athlete Victoria Abunaw.

  • Springfield High senior track athlete Victoria Abunaw.
    Springfield High senior track athlete Victoria Abunaw.

    A standout senior sprinter and hurdler for the Blue Devils, Abunaw last week won three individual events at the Whitmer Gold W Invitational and anchored Springfield’s third-place finish in the 1,600 relay. She won the 100-yard dash in 13.13 seconds, and was first in the 100 hurdles (15.64) and 300 hurdles (50.26).

    Abunaw, who placed third in the 100 hurdles at last year’s Division I state meet in Columbus, set a school record (14.01) at that meet. She also holds the school mark in the 300 hurdles (44.51), and is part of school records in the 400 relay and 800 relay.

    Last year, she was the Northern Lakes League champion in the 100 hurdles and placed second in the 100, the 300 hurdles, and the 400 relay. She also was second in both hurdles events and the 400 relay at the Division I district meet at St. Francis de Sales, and took second in the 100 hurdles at the regional at Amherst Steele.

    Carrying a 3.0 grade-point average at Springfield, Abunaw will continue her education and her track career on scholarship at the University of Akron.

    “Victoria is one of the most humble athletes that I have had the opportunity of coaching in my 20 years,” Springfield coach Michael Campbell said. “She is also one of the hardest working athletes that I have coached. She is a leader on the track team, and all the athletes respect her knowledge, wisdom, and leadership. What has made Victoria successful is her dedication and competitiveness, both on the track and in the classroom.”