November 24, 2015
Cianelli announces 2016 signing class
Eight new Hokies sign NLIs with Track & Field

BLACKSBURG - Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Dave Cianelli announced today the signing of eight outstanding high school athletes that will join the track and field roster for the 2016-2017 season. As a class, the signees have won eight state championships with a tremendous amount of national and international experience.

"This women's class represents the highest quality group of student athletes we have signed in the history of our program,” Cianelli said. “These six women are already national class athletes with an entire year of high school development remaining. This group will immediately change the level of our young women's team.

Tech signed six members to the women’s program and two to the men’s track & field program.

“The two men that signed with us, Michael Davenport and Fitsum Seyoum, both fill important spots in our program,” Cianilli said. “Michael is an outstanding sprinter/long jumper with a big upside. Fitsum is a late developing distance runner who is perfect for our program here at Virginia Tech. Both will be key contributors to our men's continued success at the ACC and National levels".

Emma Thor

Celsiusskolan Uppsala

Knivsta, Sweden

Personal Bests:

  • Hammer Throw: 206’8” (62.99m)

Accomplishments:

  • No. 1-ranked Junior Hammer thrower in Sweden 2015
  • No. 15-ranked Junior Hammer thrower in the world 2015
  • Swedish Junior Champion Hammer throw

Thor will arrive in Blacksburg from Knivsta, Sweden. The 2015 Swedish Junior National Champion follows in the long line of great hammer throwers at Virginia Tech. She was a finalist at the European Junior Championships on her home soil in Sweden in 2015 and will return this season ranked among the top 10 hammer throwers in the world for her age group.

Thor on Virginia Tech: “I chose Virginia Tech because I could see myself reaching my goals there, both athletically and academically. I think the great engineering program combined with the amazing track and field program with its experienced and dedicated coaching staff will be a perfect fit for me. I am excited to become a Hokie!”

Greg Jack on Thor: "Emma is huge sign for the program. She is one the top under-20 hammer throwers in the world, and was highly recruited nationally. She is a great student and we are excited she has decided join the Hokies.”

Kajsa Wennberg

Katedral School

Uppsala, Sweden

Personal Bests:

  • Hammer Throw: 180’9” (55.09m)

Accomplishments

  • No. 4 ranked Junior Hammer thrower in Sweden 2015
  • 4th place at Swedish Junior Championships Hammer throw

Another rising Swedish star, Wennberg joins the Hokies light on experience, but brimming with talent. After first picking up the hammer in 2015, she quickly improved to earn herself a 4th place finish at the Swedish Junior Championships. Wennberg brings tremendous pedigree with her, as her father is the Swedish national coach in her event.

Wennberg on Virginia Tech: “On my official visit I had a gut feeling that this is where I belong. It felt enough like home for me to know that this is where I will truly succeed not only as an athlete but as a student and as a person as well. I didn't have that same feeling at any of the other schools I visited."

Greg Jack on Wennberg: “Virginia Tech Track and Field Program welcomes Kajsa Wennberg. Kajsa is also a great student from Sweden who is rather new to the event; only throwing hammer for just over a year. She has tremendous upside and will be a force to be reckoned with at the ACC and National level very quickly.”

Laurie Barton

Daniel HS

Clemson, S.C.

Personal Bests:

  • 400m: 55.59
  • 800m: 2:08.93

Accomplishments:

  • 2015: South Carolina State Champion 400m, 800m
  • 2015: New Balance National – Finalist 800m
  • 2014: South Carolina State runner up XC

This six-time South Carolina State Champion comes to Virginia Tech from Daniel High School and looks to continue the stellar tradition of middle distance running that has become a staple of the Hokie track and field program. Her strength, speed, and proven ability to win is a rare combination that will serve her well.

Barton on Virginia Tech: “After visiting Virginia Tech, I really liked the dedication of each athlete and the family-like atmosphere of the team. Also, Coach Thomas' ability to drastically improve his athletes, the school’s quality of education, and the beautiful campus convinced me to choose VT.”

Ben Thomas on Barton: “Laurie is a huge middle distance talent. New to the 800, she excelled very quickly running a South Carolina state record in her junior year. In her first season of cross country, she placed 2nd in the South Carolina State meet. She has that combination of speed and endurance ability that has resulted in ACC champions and NCAA All-Americans in our program. Laurie and the rest of this recruiting class are a huge step in sustaining our already winning distance squad, and can return our track program back to championship form. I am really looking forward to helping these three develop their immense talent.”

Sarah Edwards

Bellingham HS

Bellingham, Mass.

Personal Bests:

  • 600m: 1:38.39
  • 800m: 2:09.47
  • 1000m: 2:54.76
  • Mile: 4:58.27

Accomplishments:

  • 2015: New Balance Nationals – Finalist 800m
  • 2015: Massachusetts State runner up 800m

Edwards, a Bellingham, Massachusetts native, adds even more depth to the middle distance squad for the Hokies. The state runner up at 800m already has experience at the national level where she was a finalist at 800m at the New Balance National Championships in 2015. Her experience in cross country will certainly make her very valuable to the Hokies.

Edwards on Virginia Tech: “I chose Virginia Tech because overall it was the best fit for me between its amazing academic programs and stellar athletic tradition. It just felt like a place I could call home.”

Ben Thomas on Edwards: “We are thrilled to get Sarah in board with rest of this very talented class of middle distance runners. She has very good speed and has really come on strong in cross country this fall. Has the mindset and work ethic to reach her full potential. Still very new to the sport, she has tremendous upside. I love the motivated competitiveness she brings to the table. Sarah can contribute right away to our team’s championship goals.”

Amanda Thomas

Western Branch HS

Chesapeake, Va.

Personal Bests:

  • 400m: 54.99
  • 500m: 1:16.44
  • 800m: 2:08.73
  • 300IH: 42.63
  • 400IH: 1:00.11

Accomplishments:

  • 2015: Virginia 6A State Champion 800m
  • 2015: 3rd place, USATF World Youth Trials
  • 2015: Virginia 6A State runner up 1000m

Thomas joins Hokie Nation from an incredible and storied program at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She has already been a member of three state championship teams, holds an individual state crown, and was a member of the USA World Youth team this summer. Having been coached by former Hokie standout Jeffrey Artis-Gray, Thomas is a great fit for the Virginia Tech program.

Thomas on Virginia Tech: “I chose Virginia Tech because I believe that I can be a change on such a determined and strongly built team by the grace of God. I felt comfortable with the people and I just knew in my heart that this is where He wanted me to be."

Ben Thomas on Thomas: “Coming from Western Branch High School, Amanda knows all about winning. She is a fierce competitor and has the focus and talent to compete in the ultra-competitive ACC as well as the NCAA at the highest level. With the range she has shown from 400 to cross country, she has a rare combination of speed and strength. I can't wait to work with her.”

Tim Vaught on Thomas: “Amanda is from an outstanding high school track program that has helped her to be a structured and determined athlete. She’s going to be a great asset to the Virginia Tech family and I cannot wait to work with her.”

Arlicia Bush

Ridge View HS

Columbia, S.C.

Personal Bests:

  • 200m: 24.50
  • 400m: 54.06

Accomplishments:

  • 2015 South Carolina State Champion 400m
  • 2015 New Balance Nationals – Finalist 400m
  • 2014 South Carolina State Champion 400m

With two state titles to her credit, Bush, a Ridge View high school standout, will come to Blacksburg looking to add great talent and depth to the young and up-and-coming sprint squad for the Hokies. Her forte is the 400m, but with good speed at 200m, she can be an immediate help not only in her individual races, but on both relays as well, making her a valuable addition to the women’s team.

Bush on Virginia Tech: “I am extremely excited to sign with Virginia Tech today! I can’t stop smiling and I can’t WAIT to start attending and competing as part of the track team!”

Tim Vaught on Bush: “I can’t wait to start working with Arlicia. She’s a very aggressive 400-meter runner that refuses to lose. She will be a great addition to the Virginia Tech program.”

Michael Davenport

Woodberry Forest Academy

Winston-Salem, N.C.

Personal Bests:

  • 100m: 10.60
  • 200m: 21.20
  • 400m: 49.12
  • Long Jump: 23-7.75

Accomplishments:

  • 2015 Virginia State Champion – Long Jump, 100m
  • 2014 Virginia State Champion – 100m

A North Carolina native, Davenport comes to Virginia Tech as a multi-talented, multi-dimensional athlete that can help the Hokies all over the track and in the field. He already owns state championship crowns in the 100m and long jump and is developing into one of the top athletes in the country.

Davenport on Virginia Tech: “I feel extremely blessed to be a part of the Virginia Tech track and field family. I know that training under Coach Vaught will enhance my abilities on the track and the sky is the limit. During my visit I really connected with the team, Coach Vaught, and the campus. I knew this felt like home and I would love being there for the next four years. After I committed, I received nothing but love and support from the team and Coach Vaught. I can’t wait to run this year, but I am really excited and looking forward to next season where I will be running as a Hokie along with my VT brothers and sisters.”

Tim Vaught on Davenport: “I’m extremely excited to have Michael become a part of the Virginia Tech family. Michael has a huge upside with track and field by being a two sport athlete in high school. I am looking forward to working with him and building a very good sprint program for years to come.”

Fitsum Seyoum

Tuscarora High School

Leesburg, Va.

Personal Bests:

  • Mile: 4:21.68
  • 3200m: 9:24.38
  • 5000m: 15:13.00

Accomplishments:

  • 2015 Virginia State runner up Cross Country
  • 2015 Virginia State Finalist 1600m & 3200m

Seyoum, of Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, Virginia, is a late-blooming distance prospect that will certainly add depth to the cross country and track and field squads for the Hokies. A two-time state finalist in track and field, Seyoum finished as runner up at the state meet in cross country this season, showing the kind of upward trend the Tech program always looks for.

Virginia Tech: “I felt like it was the best place for me to excel academically and athletically and I fell in love with the program.”

Ben Thomas on Seyoum: “Fitsum has improved very quickly this year in cross country. He is just scratching the surface of his significant talent and I believe he has tremendous upside. He has a great mindset for our sport, a quiet competitiveness, and fits in very well with our team. Fitsum will work hard and help us right away at the longer distances. I am very excited to work with him.”

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