Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Director of track and field and cross country Dave Cianelli announced the signing of eight prospects to letters-of-intent for the fall 2021 class. Two sprinters, two vaulters, two throwers, one multi-event and jumps specialist, and one distance runner make up the recruiting class for the Virginia Tech track and field programs.
"I am so excited about this recruiting class we just signed." Director of track and field and cross country Dave Cianelli said. "Collectively, this group has achieved the highest levels and is by far the most talented class we have ever signed at Virginia Tech. Adding this class to the current student athletes we have on the team will put us in a position to win multiple ACC Championships and compete for a National Championship."
Sprints & Hurdles
LAYLA ANDERSON
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia
High school: Churchland High School
Events: Sprints & Hurdles
Career highlights:
- PR: 7.06 (55m)
- PR: 11.85 (100m)
- PR: 39.38 (300m)
- PR: 8.26 (55m Hurdles)
- 2019 New Balance All-American.
- Seven-time Virginia State Champion.
- Is ranked 2nd in both the 55 meters and the 100 meters and 4th in the 55-meter hurdles in the State of Virginia.
Tim Vaught on Anderson: "I'm so excited to work with Layla. Her being a multiple time state champion in the 55m dash and 100m dash will make her the fastest hurdler I've ever recruited at Virginia Tech. I think she's going to make an instant impact to the program. She's also a very good student in the classroom. I can't wait to start working with her."
VICTORIA PERROW
Hometown: Bowie, Maryland
High school: Bullis School
Events: Sprints
Career highlights:
- PR: 6.96 (55m)
- PR: 7.39 (60m)
- Three-time New Balance All-American.
- Three-time D.C. State Champion.
- Two-Time Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Champion.
- No. 1 nationally ranked 60-meter dash, time of 7.39.
- Ranked No. 1 in Maryland and No. 2 nationally in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.96.
- Owns the No. 4 55-meter dash time in Maryland State history.
- Maryland State Record in 60-meter dash (7.39).
Tim Vaught on Perrow: "From the very first time I saw Victoria race, I knew she was a very special sprinter. I truly believe that Victoria has the capabilities to one day be a national champion. I can't wait to start working with her."
Middle Distance
BARBORA MALíKOVÁ
Hometown: Opava, Czech Republic
Events: Mid-Distance
Career highlights:
- PR: 2.03.51 (800 meters)
- PR: 51.65 (400 meters)
- Owns the Czech junior record in the 400-meters (51.65) and 800-meters (2:03.51).
- At age 15 won a gold medal in the 400m at the 2017 IAAF World U18 Championships.
- Took home a bronze medal in the 400m at the 2019 European Junior Championships.
Eric Johannigmeier on Maliková: "We are very excited to add Barbora to our team. With her marks in the 400m and 800m, she will make an instant impact at the ACC and NCAA level for us, and I see lots of potential and upside for her here at Virginia Tech and beyond!"
Throws
RAWAN AYMAN IBRAHIM
Hometown: Cairo, Egypt
Events: Hammer
Career highlights:
- PR: 66.55m (218' 4")
- Two-time African Champion
- Arab Championship Gold Medalist
- 2018 Youth Olympic Games Silver Medalist
Andrew Dubs on Ayman Ibrahim: "We are thrilled to welcome Rawan Ayman Ibrahim to Hokie Nation. Rawan is a rare and special talent who has experience at some of the highest levels. She has competed with Sara Killinen on the international stage in the past, so it will be great for them to already have a good report as they go through their Hokie careers together. Rawan has some very high goals and a great work ethic, I can't wait for her to arrive to Blacksburg so we can begin working together to accomplish those goals for all of Hokie Nation to be proud of."
SARA KILLINEN *
Hometown: Lapua Finland
Events: Hammer
Career highlights:
- PR: 63.84m (209' 5")
- 2019 European Junior Championship Finalist
- 2018 European U18 Championships, Silver Medal
- 2018 Youth Olympic Finalist
Andrew Dubs on Killinen: "I am extremely excited to welcome Sara Killinen to our Hokie family for the upcoming 2021 season. I have been recruiting Sara for a long time and have gotten to know her well. Obviously, she is a very talented hammer thrower who will help make an immediate impact at both the ACC and NCAA levels, but she is an even better person. She will mesh very well with our team and throwers, which for us, that chemistry is always important. I can't wait for her to arrive in a few short weeks so she can begin her Virginia Tech career.
* Killinen will join the Virginia Tech track and field programs in January before the start of the 2021 season.
Pole Vault
ERIN KELLEHER
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware
High school: Padua Academy
Events: Pole Vault
Career highlights:
- PR: 4.06m (13' 4")
- Three-time Delaware indoor State Champion in the pole vault.
- Two-time Delaware outdoor State Champion in the pole vault.
- Was named a 2020 indoor All-American.
- Was named the Gatorade 2020 Delaware Girls Track and Field Player of the Year.
- Is the indoor and outdoor Delaware State record holder in the pole vault.
Bob Phillips on Kelleher: "I have watched Erin steadily improve from a beginner vaulter to a multiple-time state champion with a 13'4" personal best. In addition to the coaching by former Hokie All-American Brian Mondschein, her success is due to a combination of athleticism, work-ethic, and desire. She is exactly the kind of student-athlete you want to join your program."
MICHAL TOCKER
Hometown: Kiryat, Israel
High school: Events: Pole Vault
Career highlights:
- PR: 4.11m (13' 6")
- Is the current Israeli U-23 National record holder in the pole vault.
- Won a gold medal at the 2019 Israel Outdoor U20 National Championships.
- Won a silver medal at the 2019 Israel Outdoor National Championships.
- Won a silver medal at the 2019 Indoor Balkan Championships.
Bob Phillips on Tocker: "Michal is a high-level athlete that is off to a solid start in the event," Phillips said. "I am excited about what she is capable of jumping as she develops technically."
Multi-Event
BIRNA KRISTJÁNSDÓTTIR
Hometown: Kópavogur, Iceland
Events: Multi-Event & Jumps
Career highlights:
- PR: 6.12m (20' 1") [Long Jump]
- PR: 1.71m (5' 7.25") [High Jump]
- Seventeen-time Icelandic National Champion.
- Is ranked in the top three nationally in six events.
Paul Zalewski on Kristjánsdóttir: "I could not be more excited to have Birna joining us next year. She is an incredible young talent and is going to make an impact for us as a heptathlete and a jumper right away. She has all the tools that a coach wants to see in a top tier heptathlete; she's fast, she's strong, she's explosive, and most of all, she wants to be great. Anyone with that kind of talent and that level of desire makes me excited to go to work every day. I cannot wait to see her continue the growing tradition we have of outstanding combined events athletes."