2021-2022 Men's Track and Field Roster
Samuel Tapera
- Position:
- Sprints
- Weight:
- null
- Class:
- Graduate Student
- Hometown:
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- High School:
- St. Johns College (Zimbabwe)
- Major:
- Engineering
2022 OUTDOORS: Was a member of the second-place 4x100 team, also finished 10th overall in the 100m (11.52) and 200m (23.78) at the Navy Spring Invitational... Finished second in the 4x100 at the Lafayette Dual... At the Coach P Invitational, Tapera finished second in the 4x100 and 11th in the 100m (11.80)... Competed at the Penn Relays in the 4x100... Named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
2022 INDOORS: Recorded a sixth-place finish in the 60m (7.23) and 14th place finish in the 200m (24.30) at Fast Times Before Finals... Finished second in the 200m with a time of 24.05 and third in the 60m with a time of 7.24 at the Lafayette Dual... At the Bucknell Tune Up, Tapera finished eighth overall with a time of 7.26 in the 60m and 14th in the 200m (23.78)... Finished 18th in the 60m prelims (7.23) and 19th in the 200m prelims (23.73).
2021 OUTDOORS: Finished 16th overall in the 100m (11.52) and then was a member of the 4x100m relay team that finished fourth (43.38) at the Patriot League Championships… Won the 100m and finished third in the 200m (23.05) at the Lafayette Dual (11.23)… Placed third in the 100m at the Lehigh Season Opener (11.31)… Was a member of the winning 4x100m relay team (43.23) at the John and Carol Covert Classic.
2021 INDOORS: Won the 200m (23.55) at the Lehigh Triangular Meet
2019 OUTDOORS: Finished second overall in the 4x100m relay at the Lehigh versus Lafayette Dual Meet (42.95)… Finished first overall in the 4x100m relay (43.28) and finished seventh overall in the 100m (11.42) at the Fred Hardy Invitational… Finished 14th overall in the 4x100m relay (45.35), competed in the 200m (22.74) and competed in the 100m (11.24) at the Adidas Winthrop University Invitational.
2019 INDOORS: Competed in the 60m at the Patriot League Championships (7.18)… Finished second overall in the 60m at the Angry Birds Challenge (7.08)… Finished 11th overall in the 4x400m relay at the Lehigh Fast Times Before Finals Meet (3:46.84)… Finished second overall in the 200m (23.16) and sixth overall in the 4x400m relay (3:46.39) at the Lehigh Season Opener.
2018 OUTDOORS: Competed in the 100m (11.18) at the IC4A Championships…Ran the 100m (season best 10.95) and the 200m (23.00) at the Patriot League Championships…Finished second in the 200m (season best 22.53) and won the 100m (11.07) at the Lehigh-Lafayette dual meet.
2018 INDOORS: Competed in the 60m (7.04) and the 200m (23.61) at the Patriot League Championships…Won the 60m (7.03) at the Lehigh-Lafayette dual meet…Finished sixth at the Bucknell Tune-Up in the 200m dash (season best 23.20).
BEFORE LEHIGH: High School Track and Field Captain…Amen Academy Track and Field Club Captain…Selected to represent Zimbabwe in the Africa Youth Olympic Games, held in Gabarone, Botswana (2014)…Selected to represent Zimbabwe in the Africa Youth Championships held in Reduit, Mauritius (2015)…High School Track record holder in 100m (2013-2015).PERSONAL: Son of Michael and Boni…Has two older brothers, John and Tinashe.
GETTING TO KNOW SAMUEL
Nickname: Samuel
Why did you choose Lehigh?: Great track and field program and great engineering program
What’s your favorite thing about Lehigh?: The athletic department really care for their athletes
Thoughts on Lehigh Coaching Staff (Coach Matt Utesch): A great coach who not only wants to connect with his athletes on a professional level, but on a personal level too.
Major & Why: Mechanical Engineering. I like math and sciences
Favorite Food: Burgers
Favorite Musical Artist: Fall Out Boy, Onerepublic
Favorite Movie: Logan
Favorite TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Favorite Website: Youtube
Favorite Pro Team: Arsenal (Soccer) Pittsburgh Steelers (American Football)
Favorite Athlete In Another Sport: Conor McGregor
Favorite place to study: Anywhere with a comfortable place to sit
Favorite thing to do on a rainy day: Sleep
Hobbies: Gaming, TV, Movies, Music (I play saxophone and bass guitar)
Most admired person and why: My dad, he inspires me to be stronger than I ever thought I could be
Biggest sports accomplishment: Getting a track scholarship to Lehigh
Magazine Cover I'd Like To Be On: Sports Illustrated
Place I'd Like To Visit: Italy
Talent I’d Most Like To Have: Singing
Dream Job: Work for BMW
One unique thing no one knows about me: I’m a strong Christian but don’t pass judgement to people with other beliefs
If I Didn't Compete in Track and Field, I Would Play: Soccer
If I Had $1 Billion, I Would: Start a scholarship fund for Zimbabwean athletes to be able to train, compete and study in the U.S.
