Lucas Reguinho of Elizabeth, one of the state's top distance running recruits, made his eagerly anticipated college commitment on Tuesday.
The winner is................. Louisville!!!
Reguinho, who also visited Rutgers and Virginia Tech, put together a historic season for the Minutemen this past fall.
Reguinho's biggest highlight came when he ran 15:39, the fifth fastest time of the season at Holmdel Park, to win the State Group 4 title to become the first state XC champion ever from Elizabeth.
He also won the Union County Championship with a time of 15:31, which is tied for No. 2 all-time in Warinanco Park history. Reguinho was the first runner from Elizabeth to win the county XC title since the great Jean Destine in 1990.
Elizabeth XC coach Jose Dias said he knew Reguinho was headed for a big XC season after his breakout track campaign last spring.
"When he ran 9:10 at the Outdoor County Track Championship, I knew that he was going to have a great cross country season,' said Dias. "It was tough trying to manage his aggressive running style, but the Group 4 race was run to perfection. The season didn't end like we wanted to (an injury forced Reguinho to miss the Meet of Champions), but he will always be one of the top distance runners in the state. I ran with one of the best, Jean Destine. Now I have coached one of the best. I'm looking forward to what he can accomplished at Louisville!!''
Elizabeth Head Track and Field Coach Austin Holman said Louisville is getting a great one.
"Louisville is getting one of the most self motivated athletes I've ever coached,'' said Holman. "Lucas didn't come in as a Power 5 university prospect as a 9th grader, but hard work, determination and a commitment to becoming the best is the result and a Power 5 school is the destination. I couldn't be happier for him, his family our coaches - from Head XC Coach Jose Dias to distance Coach Michael Sacca, and the Big E program for this opportunity.''