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Q&A With Jacob Rodin Mid-Distance, Senior

What was your experience like competing at the NCAA Championships?

It was a lot of fun, honestly. It was surreal. They really have a world-class facility there. To be able to run in an environment like that with some of the best athletes in the world was awesome.

Did you get a chance to explore or do things around the area?

Obviously, the main focus is to run the 4x400m relay. But, we stayed through the week in case we made the finals. We didn’t make the finals so we had a few days to kind of enjoy the Oregon area. We went on the sand dunes one day and drove around on an ATV. That was a lot of fun. We got to take a peek at the ocean. We were really able to just soak it all in. It was a lot of fun.

What has getting a taste of that done for your group’s mindset heading into the season?

It’s definitely a goal to get back. You look back on the season and see all the things that went right along the way to get to the biggest stage. I’m just hoping to repeat those things and improve. It would be awesome to get back.

What are some of your other goals heading into the season?

I’d really like to improve on my 800m. It’s probably my best race and I’d like to dip into the 1:47 range. That has been a goal since last year and didn’t quite get there at the end of the year. But it’s a goal to do it this year.

Is there anything you do differently this offseason to help you get there?

Yeah, I increased the mileage a little bit more this summer. I wasn’t really used to it and had a couple of 10-mile runs. But you get used to them. And when you know it’s for improvement, it becomes a little easier and a little more fun to do.

What are you most looking forward to about the season?

Probably just running with the team. And I’m not just talking about relays, but also the encouragement that happens in practice. Even though there are mostly individual events, it’s such a team sport. Everybody is there cheering you on which is a lot of fun. I enjoy cheering on my teammates as well and seeing them succeed.

What are some of your passions outside of track and field?

I like to hunt fish. I also really enjoy different sports like basketball. I watch a lot of basketball. March Madness is one of the best times of the year. I also think college football is always very fun.

Do you have any professional postgraduate plans yet?

As of right now, I plan to go back and help my dad and brother on the farm.

Accomplishments

2018-2019

Indoor:
• 6th in the 800m (Summit League Championships)
Outdoor:
• 6th in the 800m (Summit League Championships)
• 2nd in the 4x400m (Summit League Championships)

2019-2020

Indoor:
• 1st in the 800m (Summit League Championships)
• 2nd in the 4x400m relay (Summit League Championships)
• Ran the 4th fastest indoor 800m in school history (1:50.79)
• Ran the 2nd fastest 600m in school history (1:19.04)

2020-2021

Indoor:
• 1st in the 4x400m relay (Summit League Championships)
(2nd fastest in school history 3:11.04)
• 2nd in the 800m (Summit League Championships)(2nd
fastest in school history 1:50.00)
• Ran the fastest 600m in school history (1:18.03)

Outdoor:
• 1sr in the 4x400m relay (Summit League Championships)
(NCAA West Preliminary Rounds qualifier)
• 2nd in the 800m (Summit League Championships)(NCAA
West Preliminary Rounds qualifier)
• Ran the 4th fastest 800m in school history (1:49.60)
• Ran the 2nd fastest 4x400m relay in school history (3:09.24)

2021-2022

Indoor:
• Ran the fastest 800m in school history (1:48.52)
• Ran the 2nd fastest 500m in school history
• Ran the 2nd fastest 600m in school history
• Ran the 4th fastest 1000m in school history
• 2nd in the 800m (Summit League Championships)
• 2nd in the 4x400m relay (Summit League Championships)

Outdoor:
• NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier and honorable
mention All-American in the 4x400m relay (18th at the
national meet)
• Ran the fastest 4x400m relay in school history (3:05.24)
• Qualified to the NCAA West Prelims in the 800m
• 3rd in the 800m (Summit League Championships)
• NCAA Elite 90 Award Winner

Meet Jacob Rodin and Nell Graham, the cover athletes of the newest Bison Illustrated which features a handful of your favorite local track & field superstars.

Pick up your copy of Bison Illustrated today, or check out the latest Bison athletes’ stories here!

Written by Brady Drake

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Q&A With Nell Graham Sprints/Multi-Events, Senior