Sarra Belgacem

Hometown:

Tunis, Tunisia
Year:

So.
Previous School(s):

School 2 March 1934

Bio

At VU, Sarra “Sousou” Belgacem's goals are focused on improvement and impact. Individually, she aims to set new personal bests in her primary event, the 800m, and dreams of one day breaking the world record in the distance. For the team, she wants to help the Trailblazers reach All-American status in cross country and elevate their national profile. She is motivated by music, particularly songs by Sia, and guided by the advice to “dream big and never give up on your dreams — you have the capacity to be a champion one day.” Known for her bold personality, she laughs that people often think she is “crazy” when they first meet her, but she quickly earns their respect through her passion and commitment.

Off the track, Sarra is pursuing a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, aspiring to become a nutritionist while also keeping her ultimate goal of becoming an Olympian alive. She enjoys drawing, sleeping, and spending time with family, and says she can’t imagine a week without talking to her mother. Her favorite foods are traditional Tunisian couscous and chips as a midnight snack, and she draws inspiration from Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone as a role model. Her faith and culture remain central to her identity, as she dreams of visiting Mecca and cherishes the support of her Tunisian friends who also chose VU.

Sarra chose Vincennes University for the opportunity to train with a respected coach and to join a welcoming community of international athletes. With her fearless attitude, competitive edge, and motto of perseverance, she looks forward to continuing her growth as both a student-athlete and leader for the Trailblazers.

Coach Steigenga on Sarra...

"Sarra comes into her sophomore year even stronger than her freshman campaign, where she led the team in every cross country race. On the track, she excelled in middle-distance events and broke into the top-10 lists in multiple categories. This year, she’ll aim for national-level success and All-American finishes."