Belpre’s Eli Fullerton to compete in track, cross country at Indiana Wesleyan
Photo by Jordan Holland Belpre’s Eli Fullerton celebrates after winning the 2020 Jeremy Anderson Invitational at Fort Frye High School.
Courtesy photo Eli Fullerton (front row, second from left) held a commitment ceremony Wednesday inside Belpre High School to run cross country and track at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Photo by Jordan Holland Belpre’s Eli Fullerton celebrates after winning the 2020 Jeremy Anderson Invitational at Fort Frye High School.
Courtesy photo Eli Fullerton (front row, second from left) held a commitment ceremony Wednesday inside Belpre High School to run cross country and track at Indiana Wesleyan University.
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BELPRE -- Eli Fullerton, a four-time all-Ohioan at Belpre High School, will continue his running career for the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University.
"I think I'm pretty well prepared," said Fullerton, who carries a near 3.8 GPA. "As a student-athlete I think it's just going to be a different experience because everybody at that level is obviously good. It will definitely be a lot more competition.
"I'll have some new training partners than I usually do. Usually, it's just me and Blake (Rodgers) and some of my friends. It definitely will be a fun experience for sure. I took college classes and I think that helps me prepare for what's coming."
Fullerton, who is currently playing basketball with Belpre Christian Academy, hopes to have around 20 credits going in and said he's leaning toward a sports management major.
Unable to compete last spring in track, Fullerton made all-Ohio in the 3200 as a sophomore, which was his first season running track.
He also was all-Ohio thrice in cross country, narrowly missing out on that honor as a freshman.
The Golden Eagle will compete for head men's track coach Caleb Snyder as well as head cross country coach John Foss, who is the distance coach in track.
"My grandparents used to work there, actually, and they retired recently," Fullerton said of IWU, which is located in Marion and is the largest private university in the state.
"My grandpa was friends with the coach (Foss) and he introduced me and I just enjoyed my experience when I visited. The coaches were amazing. The team was amazing and it was a perfect fit."
The Wildcats' cross country squad finished third in the NAIA Crossroads League and had previously won three straight and seven of the last eight league titles.
Fullerton said he also made an official visit to North Greenville University in South Carolina, but liked the idea of going into a solid program and being around his grandparents.
"They live right beside the campus," he said. "We usually visit every summer and we usually swap between Thanksgiving and Christmas every year.
"We've been over in that area two or three times a year ever since I can remember."
Fullerton is looking forward to this spring and track season. He also will be competing in indoor track for the Wildcats.
"Anything over a mile, probably," Fullerton said of what he's likely to run. "I'm better at the longer distances in my opinion, but wherever they need me to do I'll definitely do it."
Before high school, Fullerton knew he wanted to compete in college, but figured it might be baseball or basketball.
"In seventh grade I was introduced into cross country and it turned out I was decent at it and the coaches have helped me develop for the next level," Fullerton added. "It's definitely a big blessing.
"I'm going to miss all my family and friends, obviously, but I'm ready to go on with the next chapter in my life as a student-athlete and a person."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com