ORU: The Long Journeys Of Two Track Stars

ORU's track program features many fast runners, including two that came a long way from home. Reinhard Ndlovu and Sanwabiso Skhosana came to Tulsa from Africa.

"I tried out track, and track worked out quite well," said Skhosansa.

Leaving home was tough for the two athletes. “My mom didn't like it at first. I was so far away, but it was something we had to embrace,” said Ndlovu. “It was a bit of culture shock here and there, but people are very welcoming. The prejudice I thought I would experience here, nothing."

Both Skhosana and Ndlove are very talented at what they do. Skhosana has won many provincial titles in his home of Durbin, South Africa, and Ndlovu is already one of the fastest runners in his native Zimbabwe.

It took connections to get the two track stars all the way from Africa to Tulsa. Former ORU alumni Chris White moved to South Africa to work with his parents and recruited Skhosana. Ndolvu had connections through his coach in Zimbabwe, who was recruited to run for ORU when he was younger. The coach kept in touch with ORU, and was able to use his connections to get Ndlovu to Tulsa.

Both runners already have 400 meter times that put them in the running for the NCAA meet. The two are also both on the Golden Eagles' 4 by 400 meter team, which earned times that rank top eight in the nation.

Ndlovu and Skhosana both say they each have more goals in store. "I would like to do well and represent them as a nation, so that they may look up to me and do more in track and field," stated Skhosana.

"My country is supportive of people who they feel can achieve those goals, so any way they will support me. It's not a year by year thing; it's a four year plan."

ORU's track and field team will be competing in the J.D. Martin Invitational Saturday, January 17, in Norman.