Abdi Ahmed: Creating His Own Course

Michigan State freshman cross country runner Abdi Ahmed's path to school has been as long and winding as the courses he runs on.

Ahmed, an immigrant from Ethiopia, came to Grand Rapids prior to his freshman year of high school in search of a better education. He was All-State twice each in cross country and track, captained the team, and was named as Forest Hills Northern's athlete of the year.

Not bad for a new runner.

Although he is now a Division I cross country runner, Ahmed only started running track and cross country as a high school sophomore, looking to stay in shape for soccer.

"I was a lot more into soccer, but soccer is just one season so I wanted to do other sports in the other seasons that I have off," Ahmed said. "I guess my high school (track) coaches saw my potential and what I could do if I trained a certain way."

MSU started recruting him at the end of his junior season.

"After visiting a bunch of different schools, I came to Michigan State because of the diversity and all of the other great things," Ahmed said. "The coach and the athletes, I clicked with them. So that's why I chose here."

Walt Drenth, the Director of Cross Country and Track and Field at Michigan State, said he sees Ahmed's potential, even though he is young and fairly new to cross country.

"I think that he can be really special, like one of the Big Ten elite. He's got to be consistent in his training, he's got to have high expectations," Drenth said. "I think that growth is going to come."

Drenth believes Ahmed's work ethic will enable him to find great success.

"He's a really bright guy, and I think he'll genuinely explore what it is he needs to do to get better," Drenth said. "He's already been in here two or three times just talking about the future, so I'm not worried about him."

Ahmed is majoring in international relations in the James Madison College and aspires to work in government once he graduates.

"I'm hoping to get into the United Nations and do peace treaties and things like that," Ahmed said. "More into the international field of government."

Ahmed's life recently reached a significant turn, as he attained his United States citizenship. He is excited to have the opportunity to vote, and as an immigrant, feels a sense of unity with those who came to the United States before him.

"Everybody didn't originate in America, so I feel like I'm just adding to more of the people that immigrated here hundreds of years ago," Ahmed said. "I just feel like another immigrant that became an American."

Players Mentioned

Abdi-Fetah Ahmed

Michigan State University Athletics