Nick Plant unveiled his college plans last Friday via Instagram.
The senior from Canfield, one of the nation's top recruits from the class of 2022, announced his verbal commitment to the Virginia Tech Hokies program.
Solid and consistent during his tenure as an underclassman, Plant's early high school career highlights included pocketing 800 meter runner-up finishes at both the SPIRE Showcase and the Division I OATCCC State Championships as a sophomore in 2020.
He broke out in a big way and catapulted himself into new territory during his junior year, however. In 2021 Plant strung together a pair of stunning 800m performances during the OHSAA postseason tournament going 1:50.59 for a new Region 1 record and then following that up with a state title winning effort of 1:49.79 at Division I Hilliard Darby.
Plant's momentum from the scholastic season extended to summer track, where he traveled west to Washington and secured the national title at Brooks PR. There he produced his personal best mark of 1:49.39 over the 2-lap distance.
Plant's success hasn't been limited to the track, though. He's a four year veteran of the Cardinals cross country team with the current campaign being his best to date. This fall he's collected individual wins at the Oscar Grant Invite and the Mahoning County Meet plus he's established his 5 kilometer personal best mark, a 15:49.5 clocking at the Tiffin XC Carnival.
Plant will be lining-up at his third consecutive OHSAA State Cross Country Championships this Saturday at Fortress Obetz.
We connected with Plant to learn more about his decision to head to Blacksburg.
"This was a tough decision with so many great programs out there. At the end of the day Virginia Tech was just a great overall fit."
"They have a history of developing middle distance athletes, they have great facilities, a beautiful campus and some great places to train. I really connected with the coaches and the team and am really looking forward to becoming a Hokie."
"Again I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches who have helped me through this process."
-- Nick Plant
Related Coverage -
