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Track & Field

Hokies sign Virginia's top distance runner

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

“I really like Ben’s temperament and competitiveness,” head cross country and distance coach Ben Thomas. “He has very good potential in cross country and track and will do the work required to be great. I can’t wait to have him join our guys and get to work.”

A native of Leebsurg, Virginia, Nibbelink comes to Blacksburg as the No. 1 3,200-meter runner in the VHSL. His personal bests are clocking a time of 4:22.82 minutes in the mile, a time of 9:10.60 in the 3,200 meters and crossing the finish line in 15:40.10 in the 5K.

“I really liked everything about the school and the program,” Nibbelink said. “I just felt like I could call it home for the next four years.”

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.