Jimmy Wischusen of Union Catholic, one of the top distance running recruits in the country, announced his highly anticipated college plans on Monday night.
The winner is.... the University of Virginia!!
Wischusen, who also took official visits to Tennessee and North Carolina, said the culture and head coach Vin Lananna, were two of the biggest reasons why he chose UVA.
"I'm really excited,'' said Wischusen. "I have a great relationship with Vin. We meshed incredibly well. I love his approach and the type of culture he builds. Which ever program he's around wins, and they win a lot. And the campus and the area is beautiful. I instantly felt comfortable there. And the team is also incredibly talented, and filled with a bunch of great men and women!''
Wischusen has been one of the state's best distance runners over the last three years!!!
His high school resume, which includes two state sophomore class records and two national titles on relays, is simply remarkable.
As a junior last fall, Wischusen dropped a 15:22 at the Shore Coaches Invitational, tied for No. 11 in Holmdel Park history, which made him the top returning runner in NJ on the state championship course. He followed that up a big indoor season, which was highlighted by his victory in the 3,200 at the Indoor Meet of Champions and a leg on UC's 4xmile squad that finished first at the New Balance National Championships in Boston.
Wischusen is off to a fast start this season. He ran 15:15, No. 4 all-time at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, to win the Watchung Division title last week at the Union County Conference Championships, and he dropped a 15:12 when he placed second at the Ocean State Invitational in Rhode Island.
On the track, Wischusen owns PR's of 8:56.41 for 2 miles, which is the state sophomore record, and he ran a Union County record 4:09.90 for the mile. He ran both of those times as a sophomore at the 2022 New Balance Nationals Championships at Franklin Field in Philadelphia when he placed fourth in the 2-mile to earn All-American and ninth in the mile.
Wischusen also anchored the winning 4xmile at the NB Nationals with a 4:14.2 carry as he stopped the clock at 17:12.34, which equals the oldest state record that was set by Essex Catholic in 1966, and is tied for No. 11 in U.S. high school history. And he ran the leadoff leg for UC when the Vikings won the DMR at the 2022 Penn Relays.
Also as a sophomore, Wischusen helped lead Union Catholic to its first Meet of Champions title ever in XC when he placed fifth at Holmdel Park in a sophomore course record 15:35!
