Sinta Vissa is feeling lucky

Words by Laura Sugden Clarke. Photography by Colin Wong, Joe Hale, Frankie Carino.

It’s 3 p.m. on a Wednesday in May. And it’s raining in Boulder, Colorado. Apparently that’s typical of this time of year, but coming off the back of a jet-lag-induced sunburn during lunch (or dinner, who can tell?) yesterday, I’m finding that hard to believe.

The rain hammers on the windshield of the Chevy Silverado that serves as my office for the day. But the outlook changes when Sintayehu (Sinta) Vissa – one of the newest members of the On Athletics Club – bounds into the car, bringing unmistakable sunshine. She’s warm and open, despite the hour she’s just spent running dirt roads in a deluge. We’re here shooting a campaign, and what with all the models being working professional athletes, it’s been a hybrid training session-cum-photoshoot. Whatever works. 

At the age of just 26, Sinta is used to making herself at home quickly. After being adopted at age 9, and moving from her home in Ethiopia to be raised in Italy, Sinta had a brief stint as an au pair in Ireland, before heading to college in the States to pursue running. She attended Saint Leo University in Florida, and then transferred to Missippi to join the track team. I ask if this adaptability is something of a superpower. She pauses for a moment and shrugs.

“I’ve always been lucky. My whole life,” she smiles. 

“When I got adopted, I had to adapt to a new culture, a new Italian family. Then, when I went to college in the US, I got so lucky to have a coach that was invested in me… and here with the team they were also so welcoming, and Dathan (Ritzenhein, the Head Coach of On Athletics Club,) has been amazing to me. It’s been lucky all the way.”

I suggest buying a lottery ticket. She agrees to give me 10% if she wins (it was my idea, after all). We both hope it’s a sizeable amount.

Her positive energy and spin on every situation she tells me about her life is palpable. And I tell her so. She laughs.

“I hope so! We get to do one of the best jobs out there. And although it takes a lot of mental process, on those days if someone is tired I’m just like, ‘Come on, we’re running together. Let’s just enjoy this moment.’ I hope I bring a lot of happiness and serenity to the team. I try to help everyone feel aware of the luck we have.” 

Running at college was a turning point for Sinta. A moment where the possibility of running professionally became more than a far-off idea, but something within touching distance. Although it wasn’t without its challenges.

To explain, she asks me to imagine what it’s like when you put a bunch of chickens in a small space all together. Reading between the lines, it sounds like fitting in with the other female runners on her college team was less than a pleasure. Being older than them, a scholarship student, and one of the few non-American women on the college team was tough, she says.

“I had a few struggling moments in college, where I would go to training but not feel happy with what I was doing. I was so lucky to be there on a full scholarship, but I did have days when it felt like it was just too much to handle,” she says. 

“I used to believe just in the coach,” she expands. “Not really in myself… I was never optimistic. I didn’t think I was capable, even though my coach would put me in the race. But now I know I can do it. I know I have it in my legs because that’s what I’ve been training for.”

But now, being on a professional team is another new world.

Training as part of the On Athletics Club has, so far, really been about building that confidence. 

“Most folks think that because an athlete is good in college, they should instantly have an impact at the pro level, but that’s rarely the case,” says OAC Operations Manager, Andy Wheating. “The professional circuit is much different than the collegiate system and requires patience for an athlete's body to link into a different daily routine and style of training.”

So, how is it all going so far? “This is my first year racing as a professional,” says Sinta. “When I go to a race, I know every name. Because I used to admire them, know their PRs, I dreamt about being them one day. And it’s intimidating, so I doubt myself. My training now is about building confidence to show up before the start line and say, ‘I belong here. I deserve to be here as much as them.’ That’s what we’re building into now.”

“It’s often the second year of working with a pro coach that an athlete begins to see the fruits of their hard work,” says Andy. “Sinta has touched on that sooner than expected, setting an Italian record in the indoor mile and bettering her personal best. She’s on track to be one of, if not already, the best Italian miler.

“But, the underlying joy of it all is that, after only a brief conversation with Sinta, you appreciate the person far more than any of her track results. On and OAC are very lucky to have her as a member of the team.”

You get the sense that 2023 could be Sinta’s year. With Penn Relays in the bag – where she finished 2nd in the 1500m behind teammate Josette Norris – and the On Track Nights series and a World Championships on the horizon, I wonder what Sinta has her sights set on. But she’s keeping it to herself. 

“In training, when I feel great, I keep it to myself. I don’t let it show. It’s building confidence for me, so I don’t like to show it off, so I keep it chill. Any big goal I have, I share with my coach, obviously. But I keep it quiet until I make it true.”

With that luck on her side? I can’t imagine she’ll be staying quiet for long.