Hokies sign Virginia's top long jumper

Virginia native Donovan Louis inks with Virginia Tech

November 10, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech track and field and cross country director Dave Cianelli announced Wednesday that Donovan Louis has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Hokies for the 2018-19 season.

“I am extremely excited to welcome Donovan to Hokie Nation,” jumps coach Paul Zalewski said. “He brings amazing talent and a range of events where he can help us, being able to contribute right away in the jumps, sprints and relays. Anytime you can sign the top athlete in your home state, it’s going to be a win. I cannot wait to have him here. The sky is truly the limit for this young man.”

A native of Triangle, Virginia, Louis comes to Blacksburg as the reigning VHSL champion in the long jump for both indoor and outdoor, indoor 55-meter dash and outdoor 100-meter dash. The 2017 New Balance indoor champion in the 60-meter dash is currently ranked No. 8 in the United States in the long jump at the high school level, as well as owning the No. 3 spot out of returners in the preseason ranking. Louis' personal best marks are a time of 10.51 seconds in the 100-meter dash, a 21.79 in the 200 meters and a long jump of 24 feet, eight inches.

“I chose Virginia Tech because it is home to me,” Louis said. “Being able to elevate myself as an educated young man and as an athlete is the number one priority to me and my family. Trust is very important to me. To know that everything I do academically and athletically everyday will have purpose to lead me to my goals was key. And I believe the “key” to my success is becoming a Hokie.”

The Hokies will open their 2018 indoor season at the Nittany Lion Challenge from Jan. 12-13, held at Penn State’s campus in State College.

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