http://usatodayhss.com/2016/zienasellassie-becomes-us-citizen-celebrates-with-fast-mile
Zienasellassie becomes U.S. citizen, celebrates with fast mile
USA TODAY High School Sports
By David Woods, February 4, 2016
No matter what he goes on to achieve in running, Futsum Zienasellassie will never have another weekend like the last one.
The North Central High School graduate became a U.S. citizen Friday. The next day, he ran a mile that ranks No. 2 in the NCAA indoors this year.
Zienasellassie, 23, is a junior at Northern Arizona. He emigrated from the east African country of Eritrea in February 2007 but didn’t begin running seriously until after he arrived in Indianapolis. He went on to be a national champion in cross-country and won seven state titles, four in the 3,200 meters and three in cross-country.
He posted a photo of himself on Facebook from the federal courthouse in Phoenix, holding his citizenship certificate in one hand and an American flag in the other.
He won the mile at Flagstaff, Ariz., in 4 minutes, 5.92 seconds. Under rules adjusting for races at high altitude, that time converts to 3:56.98 – or .11 off the NCAA leader. He also ranks No. 2 in the 5,000 meters from a 13:44.89 on Dec. 11 at Bloomington, Ind.
Zienasellassie has become eligible for July’s U.S. Olympic Trials at Eugene, Ore. His best chance would be in the 10,000 meters, in which the qualifying time is 28:15, compared to his best of 28:35.76.
“He’s not targeting any certain event,” Northern Arizona coach Eric Heins said in a text to IndyStar. “Just trying to run as fast as he can.”
Zienasellassie red-shirted in cross-country last fall so he could try to win his first NCAA title in Indiana. He finished fourth in 2013 and third in 2014. The 2016 NCAAs are Nov. 19 at Terre Haute.
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/0262db08c6c4d34f5c088def63c12afab447cc7a/c=0-37-526-433/local/-/media/2016/02/03/Indianapolis/Indianapolis/635901341099762360-Futsum-Zienasellassie-citizen.jpg
Eritrea-born Futsum Zienasellassie is a U.S. citizen, making him eligible for the Olympic track and field trials.
Received on Thu Feb 04 2016 - 14:26:57 EST
