Two top cross country and track athletes from our area will continue their running careers next year in college. Both made their commitments known earlier this week.
Auburn High’s Peyton Hurd is headed to Emory and Henry, while Christiansburg’s Ethan Mills will run at Virginia Tech.
Hurd said he thought it was the best decision due to the great location and the opportunity for both academics and sports. In addition, E & H is only three miles from his grandparents’ home.
Hurd shares the state record in the 4×800 with a time of 8:18 (2018 outdoor track season) and was fifth in last year’s state outdoor meet’s two-mile event. He has been a member of six state championship teams.
Mills is excited about his commitment to Virginia Tech.
“I chose Virginia Tech because the team and coaches were so welcoming. And the past success they have had as a program. As well as living in the area, I have been a long time loyal fan of all Virginia Tech sports,” he said.
Mills holds the Christiansburg High School indoor records in both the 1,000 and 1,600 events and also in the 800 meter outdoors. In addition, he was part of school records in the 4X800 indoor and outdoor 4X800.
Hurd hopes to run the 1500m run, steeple chase, and to run the 5k. Mills will run both cross country and track at Tech.
“I want to be competitive in the ODAC as soon as possible, I want to work to help E&H build a tradition in running,” Hurd said.
Auburn has been very successful on the cross-country course and track over the past five years, and Hurd calls it a blessing to be a part of the team for all of those.
Hurd plans to major in Environmental Science at Emory and Henry. Mills will study finance at Virginia Tech.
