Printer-Friendly
Email this Story
Post a Comment (0)
Fauquier's Loba to run at College of Charleston
Grace Loba's senior year did not exactly start as she hoped. Luckily, the promise she has always shown as a runner will grant her the opportunity to erase that memory.
Inside of Fauquier High's sports Hall of Fame on Monday afternoon, Falcons track and cross country coach Quentin Jones held a celebratory ceremony for Loba. There, the FHS distance runner announced her intentions to compete at the College of Charleston (S.C.) .
Seated between her parents, Dennis and Donna, Loba signed a mock letter-of-intent as dozens of friends, teammates and coaches applauded.
A stress fracture in her foot cost Loba the entire cross country season, so receiving a partial scholarship to Charleston came as a relief.
“I was so worried, I've always wanted to run in college and compete at the next level,” Loba said. “When I was injured, it was horrible, I never thought I'd get back and do as well as I have.”
Loba made a name for herself prior to the injury, and has continued to do so now that she is healthy again.
She won the Cedar Run district cross country meet as a sophomore, then took the 1600- and 3200-meter at the 2006 district track finals.
Then, just last Friday, Loba set a Cedar Run District meet record in the 1,000 in 3:05.79.
Potential like that led Charleston, High Point and Mary Washington to woo her.
“There were some colleges who were interested in me, but after I visited College of Charleston, I knew it was the right fit for me,” Loba said.
She will study international relations with hopes of eventually joining the U.S. Foreign Service.
“It's been her dream to go where she wanted to and get a scholarship, so it has been [exciting] to see things come to fruition,” Dennis Loba said.
Grace's lingering foot injury made for a frustrating fall.
As Jones points out, the situation was especially difficult given that it came during Loba's senior year and smack in the middle of the recruiting push.
“She regained her focus really well,” Jones said. “This is always nice, this is the icing on the cake when you see someone sign.”
“It's been an amazing experience,” Loba said. “I'm so glad everything's worked out the way it has.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.