Last year, Habtom Samuel’s heroics were nothing short of legendary. On November 22, 2024, the 20-year-old Eritrean long-distance runner took the track and field world by storm with a performance that seemed almost impossible. At the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, Samuel ran half of the grueling 10K with his right shoe intact while his left toe was bloodied. Yet, he crossed the finish line as runner-up to Graham Blanks. His remarkable grit forced Josh Kerr to declare, “That’s a future NCAA champion right there.” And true to that prophecy, this year, Samuel conquered Nuttycombe Invitational, this time with both shoes intact.

Celebrating his win, the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association took their X handle to congratulate Samuel. The note read, “ Two shoes

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