By Brianna Cravens, Copy Editor
The Hardin-Simmons University men’s cross country team ended their 2019 season on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the NCAA Regional race hosted by Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn.
Tyler Rohrman, a senior at HSU, was named NCAA Division III All-Region by the U.S. Track and Field Cross-Country Coaches Association on Monday, Nov. 18. Rohrman ran a time of 25:58 in the Rhodes College NCAA Regional race, placing 27th overall. Rohrman’s time broke the school record that he previously set at the ASC Championship two weeks prior.
In an email interview, Rohrman explained how it felt to be named NCAA Division III All-Region. “It feels awesome to be named to the all-region team. To share an accomplishment like that with so many athletes who go to compete at the national level is rewarding. I was about seven individuals off from making the qualifying list, but to still be given the chance to run with some of those top tier guys is an experience I'll never forget,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman went on to share how it felt to break the school record he previously set two weeks prior at the ASC Championship meet. “I was happy to lower my cross-country record; I believe that pushing that record further is only going to make HSU's team better in the future. I hope it’s a standard that could help push our future runners,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman explained his thoughts on how he believed the season went individually, as well as a team. “Overall, I felt the season went great. I came up a little short of capturing the individual title at the ASC meet on Nov. 2, but to finish with a school record is something I'm proud of. Team wise, we did great as well. To get second place for the second year in a row was tough, but this team is young, and I know that they can capture the team title next year,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman shared what he thought went well this season and what he thought could have gone better. “I think our training and team bonding went well, every day everyone showed up ready to work and prepare for the future meets. I don't think there's anything we could have done better. We worked hard on and off the course, and every athlete saw a personal record this season. Winning a championship is tough, everything has to come together, and everyone has to play their part. I truly believe we did our part, but it just wasn't the program’s year yet. But it will be soon,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman is gearing up for track season and explained what his goals are for the upcoming season. “I will be running track this year, with the goals of running under 15 minutes in the 5k and helping the men's team capture the ASC title in April,” Rohrman wrote.
As it is Rohrman’s senior year, he shared what he will miss the most about HSU cross country. “I'm definitely going to miss the culture of this program. It's still a young program, but with the young athletes and coaches learning and returning, the sky's the limit,” Rohrman wrote.
Rohrman also gave credit to the athletic department for their support of the cross country teams. “I just wanted to say that HSU cross country continues to improve because of the support from our athletic department, so thank you,” Rohrman wrote.