Norwin’s ‘hidden gem’ Eliezer Nicolas verbally commits to St. Francis (Pa.) track team

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 | 6:15 PM

Eliezer Nicolas bristles a bit when he is referred to as a late bloomer in the college track recruiting game.

The senior from Norwin, though, acknowledges he was a Division I prospect who simply had not yet been discovered.

“I see myself as a hidden gem,” Nicolas said. “I am not a late bloomer because I qualified for districts as a sophomore. I was hidden and came to the scene at the right time.”

St. Francis (Pa.) found the sprinter and offered him a spot on its roster next year.

Nicolas (5-foot-10, 200 pounds) made a verbal commitment to the Red Flash of Loretto.

“I always wanted to attend Division I in a sport, no matter the cost,” he said. “I also wanted to set an example for my family by being the first collegiate athlete in my family. St. Francis had a promising program with great coaches. It was also close to home, which led me to believe I could be near my family.”

Nicolas chose Saint Francis over High Point and Slippery Rock.

He runs the 100- and 200-meter dashes but said he specializes in the 200 and 400.

Nicolas, who used to attend Cheswick Christian Academy and came to Norwin in fourth grade, runs for Stallion Track Club, which he said helped him reach new gears. Last spring, he took 10th in the 200 and 400 and ran the third leg of the Knights’ WPIAL championship 1,600 relay.

“Also, having access to great coaches and teammates led me there,” he said of St. Francis. “I did not want to take track seriously until I talked with one of my teammates, who saw potential. Ryan Schiller explained that I had a natural gift and should not take it for granted. This led to me taking off, and, if it was not for God and that talk, I do not think this would have happened.”

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin