Copyright -2016 – Athletics Illustrated
Victoria Tachinski of Winnipeg signed a committment with Pennsylvania State University this week. Nineteen months after Athletics Illustrated wrote, “Victoria Tachinski should be on every recruiter’s radar.”
Asked why she chose Penn State, Tachinski said, “I feel like Penn State was the best fit for me and I am so excited that I finally got to announce my decision.”
There is little doubt that Tachinski likely had to fend off a few offers; she has had a great high school career, primarily on the track in the shorter distances.
The Vincent Massey Collegiate student in 2015 had already set three Canadian indoor records for the distances of 300, 400 and 600-metres. She also set the Canadian 800-metre outdoor record for runners under the age of 16 with her 2:07.90. She had just turned 15 during the summer of 2014.
The 17-year-old has run the 800-metres as fast as 2:06.73.
“I’m super excited to start the next chapter of my life at Penn State next year. I have already built a great relationship with Coach Gondak, so I’m looking forward to working with him next year,” shared Tachinski, who is named after the City of Victoria – her aunt lives there. “I was so lucky to have my family and closest friends with me while I was signing, and it’s been surprising how many people are happy for me. It’s been an amazing feeling to have so many people care about me and my future plans.”
The Penn State Nittany Lions compete in the Big Ten Conference of the first division of the NCAA.
For academics Penn State is ranked 54th in the world and 37th in the U.S.
Tachinski plans to study Microbiology or Biotechnology.