5 Super Athletes With Ties To Leesburg

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Leesburg area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Weini Kelati (Track)

Weini Kelati is an accomplished middle and long-distance runner who originally hails from Eritrea but found her home in Leesburg. As a standout athlete at Heritage High School, Kelati earned multiple state and national titles, including winning the 2019 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. She represented the United States in the 2024 Olympic Trials, where she won the national title in the 10,000 meters, and went on to break the American half marathon record in January 2025.

2. Kristi Sieber (Soccer)

Defender Kristi Sieber made her mark on the soccer field while attending Loudoun County High School in Leesburg. She helped lead her high school team to a state runner-up finish in 2003 and was recognized as a first-team All-State player in her senior year. Sieber continued to excel in college soccer, playing for Virginia Tech, where she contributed to the team's strong defensive record.

3. Jeremy Roach (Basketball)

Leesburg native Jeremy Roach made a name for himself at Paul VI Catholic High School in nearby Chantilly. As a high school senior, Roach was a consensus five-star recruit and led his team to the VISAA D-I State Championship. Roach's skill on the court earned him a spot with the Duke Blue Devils, where he played a key role as a point guard. He also represented the United States in international competitions, securing gold medals with the national under-16 and under-17 teams.

4. Jonathan Allen (Football)

Jonathan Allen, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders, has made Loudon County proud. Allen's high school career at Stone Bridge High School in nearby Ashburn earned him Virginia's Gatorade Football Player of the Year award in 2012. He went on to play for the University of Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2015. Drafted by Washington in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Allen has become a cornerstone of their defense, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections.

5. Billy Hurley III (Golf)

Pro golfer Billy Hurley III is a Leesburg native who attended Loudoun County High School. Hurley made waves as an amateur golfer, winning the 2005 Walker Cup with Team USA and later being named the Patriot League Golfer of the Year during his time at the United States Naval Academy. He then went professional, securing his PGA Tour card in 2011 and later earned his first victory in 2016 at the Quicken Loans National. Hurley continues to be a respected figure in the sport, with a commitment to charity and community service through various outreach initiatives.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.