You won’t find him on a field or a court, but rather, running around the track and maybe even around your development. He’s Lossenie Fofana and he runs Cross Country as well as the 100 meter, 200m and 400m in Track for the Blue Streaks.
Fofana has been running since eighth grade. He has been very successful, earning many honors, including, 2021 Sectional Champion in the 400m, 2021 Skyland Conference; Champion in the 400m, 2021 Hunterdon-Warren Sussex competition; Champion in the 200m and All-County 1st team in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 4X400m. Fofana also holds the school record for the 55m, 200m, 300m and 400m races.
Fofana also ran at the New Jersey Meet of Champions and placed 5th in the 400m race. Only the best runners in the state were invited.
“I’m a very competitive person, so when I get the opportunity to run against someone fast or even faster it pushes me to go faster,” he said.
Fofana has found most of his success in the past two years, but the records and awards didn’t come without hard work and challenges.
“During my sophomore year, I really struggled overcoming the mental challenge of staying motivated,” he said..
It also didn’t help that these challenges were faced during the COVID pandemic.
“Trying to find a place to practice and train during the pandemic was especially difficult because a lot of places were closed or had limited space,” he said.
This didn’t stop Fofana and, if anything, put him ahead of the competition, having won multiple awards the season coming out of the pandemic. Talent isn’t just born, though. Fofana said he couldn’t have achieved the goals he has without the help and guidance from coaches and trainers.
“Many different coaches and trainers have helped me in my career, their belief in me is really what helped me believe in myself,” he said.
Fofana’s hard work and accomplishments have set him up to run track and field at the University of Connecticut, where he will continue his athletic career for the next four years competing with other Division 1 runners.
Warren Hills Track Coach Zachary Fisher said he believes Fofana has a bright future ahead.
“He is running at a Division III senior level as a senior in high school,” Fisher said. “I believe that he can make it to nationals at the Division I level.”
In the meantime, Fofana will continue to pace himself one run at a time, giving some practical advice for athletes who aspire to perform their best:
“I’d say the biggest advice I can give is to work hard,” he said. “You have to realize it’s not going to be easy, and deal with adversity. The results you’re looking for might not come for a couple of years.”