Last year, Habtom Samuel’s heroics were nothing short of legendary. On November 22, 2024, the 20-year-old Eritrean long-distance runner took the track and field world by storm with a performance that seemed almost impossible. At the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships, Samuel ran half of the grueling 10K with his right shoe intact while his left toe was bloodied. Yet, he crossed the finish line as runner-up to Graham Blanks. His remarkable grit forced Josh Kerr to declare, “That’s a future NCAA champion right there.” And true to that prophecy, this year, Samuel conquered Nuttycombe Invitational, this time with both shoes intact.

Celebrating his win, the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association took their X handle to congratulate Samuel. The note read, “Two shoes is better than one – but four athletes in the top 15 is even better when you’re looking to impress, as Habtom Samuel and No. 3 did on Friday at the Nuttycombe Invitational.”

At the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational in Verona, Habtom Samuel reminded everyone why he’s a force to be reckoned with. In a blazing season debut, the Eritrean star shattered expectations. His brilliance powered New Mexico to the Men’s 8K team title at one of the nation’s most prestigious cross-country meets on Friday afternoon. Returning to the dust, the Eritrean Powerhouse not only won the race but also set a new meet record with an astonishing time of 22:58.

Leading at the front, Samuel spearheaded a dominant 51-point performance for the Lobo men. The athlete outclassed his stacked field of 17 nationally ranked teams. The Lobos found their place in the top 25, with Collins Kiprotich clocking 23:27, finishing 6th, and Evans Kiplagat clocking 23:32.6, finishing 9th. Both of the athletes joined Samuel in the top 10. Vincent Chirchir and Mathew Kosgei closed the deal for the Lobos, locking the team’s 51-point victory.

With the conclusion of the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, Samuel now owns both the meet record and the Zimmer Championship Course 8K record, courtesy of his 22:33.8 finish from last year’s UW Pre-Nationals meet. And that’s not all. He also claimed the NCAA Runner-Up title on the very same course in Madison during last year’s National Championships.

His last year’s antics were so spectacular that Josh Kerr couldn’t help but chime in his praises, “Josh was really blown away with how good Habtom was. He turned and said to me, ‘That’s a future NCAA champion right there,” recalled Darren Gauson, who currently serves as the Cross Country head coach at the University of New Mexico.

But after all the commotion last year, what was really going through his mind? Let’s find out.

Habtom Samuel’s drive to complete the race after losing his shoe

Last year, Habtom Samuel started the race as the clear favorite, setting the tone from the front and matching strides with the lead pack through the first 5K. Just when he looked in complete control, disaster struck: one of his spikes came off, and a rival’s shoe tore into his foot. Yet, Samuel refused to yield. Bloodied but unshaken, he turned pain into purpose, digging deep to stay with the frontrunners.

In that moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind: should he stop, should he give up? Remembering his coach’s words, he dug deep and pushed forward with unwavering resolve. “At first my mind was not really good … my shoe is off, so what can I do? And I know the guys are really fast … but my coaches are everywhere, saying ‘you can do this, just keep trying your best. So I said, ‘Yes, I’ll try my best,” said the athlete.

After the race, a humble Samuel accepted his defeat with grace, admitting that things just didn’t go his way. “I’m happy I finished the same as last year, but at the same time I’m also not really happy because this time was really a perfect time to be a champion,” Samuel reflected. “Just not my day today. But I’m so happy to finish runner-up.” Well, a year later, the athlete has certainly shown why he is the best.