Northside track alum Ventavius Sears closes college career

Former Northside Patriot track star Ventavius Sears capped off his college career on a national stage Wednesday night.

Sears, a senior at Western Kentuky, competed in two events at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. He took home 20th in the long jump and helped the Hilltoppers’ 4x400-meter relay team finish 20th.

Sears was named an Honorable Mention All-American for his efforts in both events.

“What Ventavius Sears and Emmanuel Dasor have done for this program is to be applauded,” Western Kentucky head coach Erik Jenkins told Western Kentucky’s athletics website. “It’s a testament to the work of the student-athletes, training staff and coaches.”

Sears made it to nationals all four years at Western Kentucky and discussed his excitement in making one last appearance.

“Running with those high-caliber athletes and future Olympians, it’s just surreal,” Sears said. “It’s a great experience, and I’m beyond blessed and thankful that I can do it one more time.”

Sears will return to Western Kentucky next year to earn a graduate degree in recreation and sports management with his ultimate goal of being a college track coach.

According to Western Kentucky assistant coach Willie Johnson, Sears has shown he is capable of taking on such endeavors.

“He’s led these guys to where they are now,” said Johnson, who worked with Sears in the long jump and triple jump. “It’s been a joy to watch, the difference in him not quite understanding how to do certain things early on, to now he can teach others how to do it.

“I think he’ll be a coach at some level here whenever he decides to retire, and I think he’ll do a great job.”

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Northside track alum Ventavius Sears closes college career."