2-time FL champ Anna Rohrer commits to Notre Dame

This is interesting. ND has another former Foot Locker champ (Molly Seidel, 2011) and while you can't really say she's done badly (4:42 mile/16:05 5k, 19th at NCAA XC), she hasn't exactly lived up to what you would expect from a Foot Locker champ.

Rohrer is such a big talent though that I think she'll do wherever she goes. The coach just needs to keep her healthy (easier said than done in this case).

Gets to stay close to home, and possibly continue to be trained/mentored by her high school coach. Seems like that would be a big positive a young girl like her, given the difficulty she's had staying healthy and finding a training plan that works.

It's a plus to be mentored by a coach under who she's had trouble staying healthy and finding a good training plan?

Jonathan Gault wrote:

This is interesting. ND has another former Foot Locker champ (Molly Seidel, 2011) and while you can't really say she's done badly (4:42 mile/16:05 5k, 19th at NCAA XC), she hasn't exactly lived up to what you would expect from a Foot Locker champ.

Rohrer is such a big talent though that I think she'll do wherever she goes. The coach just needs to keep her healthy (easier said than done in this case).

One of the reasons Molly Seidel hadn't performed well until this year was injuries. Under the new regime, she's healthy again and is an All-American.

I honestly don't know whether Sparks contributed to that or not, but I do know that he's a very good coach. Tough but fair. Knows his stuff and is very well prepared.

Here's hoping that Anna and Molly (and the rest of the UND women's team) do something special next year.

And, I would imagine that Christina Aragon (4:44 miler as a junior) would be a shoo-in recruit next year given her father's heritage and her sister's participation in UND running.

I would echo what others have said. Molly was injured under T Conn and at least so far has been decently healthy with Sparks. Too early to tell how she will do if that stays true. Rohrer I am worried about as she's already had injury issues.

What happened to T Conn?

New head coach canned him, rumor is mandated by the A.D. and administration.

There we are.

Jonathan Gault wrote:

This is interesting. ND has another former Foot Locker champ (Molly Seidel, 2011) and while you can't really say she's done badly (4:42 mile/16:05 5k, 19th at NCAA XC), she hasn't exactly lived up to what you would expect from a Foot Locker champ.

Maybe it's a notre dame tradition. I know the coaches are different now but Molly Huddle wasn't exacly that great there was she? Underachieve in college, overachieve after it?

I'm excited by the news as it bothers me that Stanford seems to get everyone. Good to spread it around a little bit.

pretty sweet, her HS is just a couple miles away. i think it'll be good to not have a drastic change of environments. however, i'd be weary of thinking she can still train with her HS coach - a) by accepting a scholarship you're practically an employee of the university and you do what the coach says b) you want to train with the team b/c they're your girls and you're a team and you're spending tons of time together whether at practice, classes, meals, homework, study hall, social events, etc., so you don't wanna be special c) while no doubt her hs coach was effective, he's just a hs coach and this is Notre Dame we're talking about. help and mentorship, sure maybe, but wouldn't touch a workout

pretty exciting though, not too many girls with resumes like hers. one to watch for sure, hope she stays healthy and adjusts well. keep an eye on the horizon and pray for longevity

yupyupyuppers - you are an idiot. Not saying that she should or should not maintain any semblance of relationship with her "old" coach, but your reasoning is antiquated and just plain childish. This is between the interested parties, and them alone - your opinion on the matter means squat.

Actually I think he made a lot of sense.

If her High School Coach cares about Anna's future the next year will be crucial. The last contact should be at Anna's graduation party.

Do not give her any advice on summer training.

Do not go and watch her Meets as a Freshman.

Separation is crucial for long tem success.

troll

This is between the interested parties, and them alone - your opinion on the matter means squat.

yes - yes

Is she Catholic?

Is this the lowest XC team ranking commitment choice of a Foot Locker champion in history?

ND women finished with #29 ranking in XC last season. Excluding personal reasons (i.e. Rohrer living close to ND) this has got to be the most out of the blue University choice from a FL champ ever.

IMO the only good reason for as desirable a recruit as Rohrer choosing a school as poorly ranked as ND would be if said school was Ivy League, even with the lack of athletic scholarships. Hopefully the ND program doesn't hold her back too much.

Dewey_Runner wrote:

Is this the lowest XC team ranking commitment choice of a Foot Locker champion in history?

Factor in the individual (Molly Seidel) and the education. Notre Dame is like the Stanford/Duke/Princeton of the Midwest and from what I understand Molly wants to eventually become a doctor. That's going to yield her far more than any post-collegiate running opportunity she is offered. Hence, why running can only be so important to many multi-talented people like Molly. With Molly, running has always been an "extra" anyway. She just happened to be very good at it.

ND worked out okay for Molly Huddle back in the day....