LIBERTY — Liberty High School’s Abraham Balawi recently signed a national letter of intent with Mercer University to run cross-country.

Liberty High School’s Abe Balawi recently signed his national letter of intent to continue his running career at Mercer University. Pictured are Mismeh Balawi, Adam Balawi, Hanan Balawi, Tim Powell, Abdallah Balawi, Coach Patrick Canterbury, Maleah Balawi, Brenda Powell, Abraham Balawi, Gabriel Balawi and Shannon Balawi.

Balawi was a five-year letter winner in both cross-country and track at LHS. For cross-country, he received All Region honors during the 2011 season and was named Region Runner of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Balawi was also the 2012, 2013 and 2014 AA Upper State cross-country champion, and received All-State honors for those years as well.

Balawi has also had a stellar track career, being named to the All-Region team in 2011, and then being named the region runner of the year in the 800m, 1600 and 3200m in 2014.

Balawi’s crowning achievement was winning the AA state championship in 2014 in the 1600m run with a time of 4:28.04.

“Abe is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to coach,” Liberty coach Patrick Canterbury said. “He is gifted athletically and academically. He is one to lead by example, with his leadership he has shown his teammates how to win with class, be a responsible young adult, and to thrive academically. I have no doubt that Abe will continue to succeed at Mercer, in everything he does. As a young coach, I find it hard to believe that I will encounter many other student athletes such as Abe during my career, as he has done everything I have ever asked him to do, to the best of his ability. I feel especially honored to have been involved with coaching Abe. I am extremely proud of Abe and cannot wait to see what Abe can do in the future.”