NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
HOME OF ALL-AMERICANS
Virginia Tech’s distance running programs have taken off since the school joined the ACC for the 2004-05 academic year. Thirty-three different distance runners have earned All-America honors, including four in both track and field and cross country – Peter Seufer, Thomas Curtin, Will Mulherin, and Tasmin Fanning. Seufer, Mulherin, and Fanning were two-time All-Americans in cross country.
WOMEN'S DISTANCE/CROSS COUNTRY
MEN'S DISTANCE/CROSS COUNTRY
FAST FACTS
- 2018 national champion in the distance medley relay
- Two-time NCAA silver medalist (Vince Ciattei, photo right, in the mile and 1,500 in 2018)
- Seven All-Americans in cross country
- 29 All-Americans in track and field
- 11 conference champions in cross country
- 46 ACC event champions in track and field
- Eight inductees into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame
HOME OF CHAMPIONS
ACC INDIVIDUAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS
ACC CROSS COUNTRY TEAM CHAMPIONS
SIMPLY THE BEST
Peter Seufer departed the program in 2020 as arguably the best distance runner in program history. His list of accomplishments included:
- Two-time All-American in cross country
- Five-time All-American in track and field
- Two-time ACC champion in cross country
- A five-time ACC gold medalist in track and field
- School record holder in the 5,000 (indoor)
FIRST-RATE COACHING
ERIC JOHANNIGMEIER
(six seasons at Virginia Tech; two as the head cross country coach and head of the distance running discipline)
- Coached Peter Seufer to two consecutive ACC cross country titles
- Has coached six All-ACC runners in cross country since taking over the head job
- Guided Sara Freix to the silver medal at the 2019 ACC Cross Country Championships
- Rachel Pocratsky, Sarah Edwards and Bashir Mosavel-Lo earned All-America honors in track under his guidance in 2018
- Was an assistant when the DMR team of Vince Ciattei, Greg Chiles, Patrick Joseph and Neil Gourley won the national title
TOP-NOTCH FACILITIES
RECTOR FIELD HOUSE
Rector Field House is the home of the Virginia Tech track and field and cross country programs. The facility underwent an $18 million renovation in 2018 as part of a project that added a new throws area, a new track surface, new lighting, additional spectator seating, and an expanded sports medicine facility — all of which make the facility one of the best in the country for track and field.
STUDENT-ATHLETE PERFORMANCE CENTER
A $20 million Student-Athlete Performance Center, finished in 2020 and built on the top floor of the Jamerson Athletics Center, enables student-athletes grab snacks or meals, or to eat meals from a full-service kitchen. An expanded dining area overlooks the Steve Johnson Football Practice Fields and Lane Stadium.
W.A. & MAE STREET OLYMPIC SPORTS TRAINING CENTER
Virginia Tech's distance runners train in the 6,000-square foot Street Olympic Sports Training Center. The two-tiered facility includes a lower level dedicated to strength training and a unique 1,800-square foot mezzanine level dedicated to functional movement, which helps athletes prevent injuries.
COMING SOON TO VIRGINIA TECH
CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION DISTRICT RESIDENCE HALL
Slated to be finished in the summer of 2021, this $105 million state-of-the-art residence hall will be home to nearly 600 students, including 176 student-athletes. With its open, airy design, the residence hall will have rooms similar to one-bedroom apartments, and it also will feature academic, research, and collaboration space. In addition, it will cater to those interested in design, technology, visual and performing arts, and entrepreneurship.
THE BEST IN SUPPORT AREAS
SPORTS NUTRITION
Virginia Tech's rapidly expanding sports nutrition staff consists of three full-time members, two graduate assistants, a consultant, and numerous student volunteers — all of whom dedicate themselves to staying on the cutting edge of nutritional research and science. The staff takes an individual approach to sports nutrition, meeting with individual athletes to educate, prepare — and help athletes reach peak performance in their respective sports.
STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
The Office of Student-Athlete Development focuses on leadership development, community outreach, and preparing Virginia Tech student-athletes for careers outside of sports. This includes taking athletes to leadership seminars, enhancing student-athletes' networking and professional skills, connecting student-athletes with potential employers, and scheduling student-athletes to participate in service events within the community. The full-time staff of four has received national acclaim for its holistic approach to helping student-athletes.
STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES
Virginia Tech’s athletes have plenty of resources available to them as they pursue their academic endeavors thanks to the staff within the Student-Athlete Academic Support Services office (SAASS). A staff of 14 full-time people are devoted to helping athletes graduate with the degree of their choosing. The staff provides tutoring services, holds study halls, makes sure athletes enroll in proper classes, and works with professors across campus to ensure athletes are on track academically.