VSS's Obichere adds to trophy case

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In the waning months of winter, a group of dedicated student athletes form on the cold, slick track elapsing Valley Stream South High School’s football field. Among them is sophomore Chibugo Obichere.

From first period until the final bell rings, Obichere is known as the cordial, caring and charismatic all-AP student that draws attention for her magnetic personality and cheery demeanor. Just a few short minutes post dismissal, and after crowds of students have flocked from the high school’s doors, Obichere walks out onto the track and begins to draw attention yet again.

Enter girls varsity track and field coach Nicole Bertrami, who has been guiding Obichere throughout her first two years in the program. “Chibugo is everything a coach could ask for, and then some,” said Bertrami. “She leads by example, she’s constantly giving, and most importantly she's the sweetest, most humble person that I’ve seen at such a young age in a long time.”

Obichere is fresh off of a sophomore season in which she captured titles in the Nassau Class A 100m Dash (12.40 seconds), 200m Dash (26.05 seconds), and 100m hurdles (14.41 seconds), while also taking home New York State championship honors in the winter for the 55m hurdles and earlier this month in the 100m hurdles.

Talking to Chibugo, one would be hard-pressed to believe the fierce competitor and the bubbly and affable persona are harnessed by the same individual. “Continuing to grow as person and gain new experiences from it are my favorite part,” Obichere said. “And the fact that we have this family mentality, where I can go to coach for anything, that is a special thing to have.”

That bond between Bertrami and Obichere, along with the rest of her team, extends well beyond the track as well. “We call her ‘Mom’ instead of coach, because that’s exactly what she is to us. She’s more of a mentor, and not just for sports or school, but life too,” Obichere said.

Beyond the massive amount of athletic accolades that Obichere has collected of late, she values her academics first and foremost, a true student-athlete. An advanced placement scholar, Obichere is enjoying and excelling in accelerated courses that interest her, such as biology and mathematics.

“I have an interest in pursuing medical school after high school,” said Obichere. Upon asking if track would play a large role in deciding where she ultimately attended, Obichere had this to say: “Of course. I really plan on working towards becoming a pediatrician, but I also want to continue to pursue track at a higher level.” Baylor University, one of the country’s premier medical schools and track & field programs, is in Chibugo’s crosshairs.

As for the immediate future, Obichere’s goals are clear. She made it known that she wants to work hard over this offseason, progress as an athlete, and achieve better times for all of her events in her junior campaign.

Bertrami also wanted to make the notion very clear that whatever Chibugo put her mind to, she could attain. When asked if there was any gauge on where Obichere’s potential can take her, Bertrami was concise: “There is no telling. She’s unstoppable.”