Moforehan Abinusawa’s Commitment To Sprint Collegiately At The University Of Pennsylvania
Fore Abinusawa ‘22 sprints to the finish line of her college search by committing to the University of Pennsylvania for Track and Field. Fore has participated in Germantown Academy’s Varsity Winter Track and the Varsity Spring Track programs since her freshman year, while running with a club team, Ambler Olympic Club (AOC).
During Abinusawa’s interview, she reflects back on the sacrifices she made to be able to prioritize track and succeed in the sport. “The first thing I had to sacrifice was soccer. I had been playing soccer since I was five and started running track when I was ten— it was hard to balance doing both sports at a high level, and I knew I had to sacrifice one of them to be able to continue with the tough competition. I had to stop playing soccer in 8th grade to focus on track.” Fore continues by expressing the difficulties with the transition, “Unlike soccer, track is mainly a solitary sport with many lone training sessions. It can be hard to stay motivated at times, but I continue doing track simply because I love it.”
Fore’s determination to reach her goals and passion about the sport are some of her key characteristics. She remarks, “For the indoor season (also my favorite season), I’m excited to run up in the Armory in New York. It’s a really prestigious indoor track and field venue known as a spot for running some really fast times.” Abinusawa’s focus on the indoor season results from her “favorite race being the 60 meter dash— a race exclusively run during the indoor season.” The senior also has hopes of “breaking some of [her] outdoor PR’s and winning the Inter-Ac League for the third year in a row.”
Abinusawa, thankful for the experiences and coaching GA has brought her, describes, “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of teammates. My GA teammates make me excited to go to practice everyday— not only to work hard with them, but to also just have fun and enjoy ourselves. They’re some of my favorite people!”
When asked about her training, Fore describes “I train almost all-year-round and take about a month off between August and September. Late September to Early October, I start getting back into shape and going to the gym around 3 times a week to get prepared for the start of indoor season. For both high school seasons, we train 5x a week. With my club team, Ambler Olympic Club (AOC), we train 4x a week in the summer.” She also mentions some of the attributes that aided in her journey to becoming an elite athlete. “It was really my dad who pushed me to become a serious runner. At first, when I just started, running was something that I tried for fun. I had a bit of natural talent, but it was my dad who motivated me to sharpen my skills. His influence has ultimately helped me become the runner I am today.”
Regarding Fore’s recent commitment, “For me, Penn was the best thing I could ask for as a student-athlete. Growing up, both my parents and I agreed I was a student before an athlete, and I feel that Penn helped best combine my academic interests with athletic rigors. I’m excited to join the Penn track and field team and be surrounded by like-minded student-athletes who love to run and also love to learn.”
Abinusawa also relinquishes advice for those aspiring to be a student-athlete at the collegiate level: “Stay determined. It can be challenging to do that, especially in track and field where you’re often training on your own, but I promise your hard work will not go unnoticed, and you will see the results in your efforts!”
A brief rundown of her freshman, sophomore, and junior season has an abundant number of track awards, with many more going unwritten and others to be made during her senior year. Fore’s 2018-2019 freshman year included being the record holder for the highschool girl’s 60-meter dash, running the Pennsylvania #2 all-time fastest time in the 60-meter dash, placing third in the PA indoor state meet in the 200-meter dash, being an All-American after placing 5th in the highschool girls 60-meter dash at the New Balance Indoor Nationals meet, earning the title of Pennsylvania #3 and #5 in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, and breaking Inter-Ac record’s in the 100-and 200-meter dash. Fore’s 2019-2020 sophomore year season consisted of a shortened indoor season with no outdoor season. She ran the PA #1 and U.S. #2 time in the 55-meter dash, and also finished the season ranked at U.S. #7 in the 60-meter dash. Abinusawa only had an outdoor season for her 2020-2021 junior year. During this period, she ran the Pennsylvania #2 time in the 100-meter dash, and brook the Inter-Ac record in the 200-meter dash which simultaneously earned her a Pennsylvania #3 time.
The community at Germantown Academy congratulates Fore on her college commitment, as well as her multitude of accomplishments she has earned. Abinusawa’s contribution to not only the track programs, but in her academic and other extracurricular activities ensued Fore into becoming a highly-respected figure whom many look up to. From one Patriot to another, best wishes in your next endeavors, Fore!
