Wildcats' Roth signs

MINSTER - Minster's Taylor Roth signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to continue her stellar running career at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

Roth, who also looked at Division I programs like Oklahoma, Tennessee and Florida Atlantic, as well as the Air Force Academy, was drawn to Division II Embry-Riddle for its program in homeland security and intelligence.

"I knew I wanted to do something down the criminal avenue," Roth said. "I thought law for a while. I liked the idea of forensic science, but I'm not very good at math, so I was like, 'How is that going to work?' Then my dad came across Embry-Riddle and they had homeland security and intelligence, and I really liked that.

"So I decided that was going to be one of the best avenues for me, and then it just all came together. I ended up loving the team and the coaches, so it was just a perfect fit."

With one spring track season remaining, Roth has already compiled a storied career for the Wildcats, earning an individual state title in the 800-meter run last spring and four all-Ohio finishes in cross country to go with three cross country state championships.

At the Division III state meet two weeks ago, Roth came in four seconds behind junior Maggie Hemmelgarn for a 17th-place finish as the Wildcats breezed to a title.

"Out of all the accomplishments I've had - the state championships, the titles, everything - the biggest thing for me is actually just being the senior leader this year on our team," Roth said, gesturing to the dozen or so other runners attending the ceremony. "To me, it speaks a lot to have them right there behind me, all supporting me. They all want to be here. That means more to me than the state titles."

At Embry-Riddle, Roth plans to run cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring. She plans to make the 800 her primary race, while Embry-Riddle coach Mike Rosolino has suggested that she add the 1,000 indoors, and she's open to running the 400 or indoor 600 if the opportunity presents itself.

Rosolino was part of the reason Roth felt comfortable with the Embry-Riddle program, as she said he reminded her of Minster coach Jessie Magoto.

"My coach is very old-school," she said. "When we go to big meets, super exciting - like when we went Centerville, it's a night meet - we focus on the race instead of all the fun stuff, like the paint and that. And I've noticed he's kind of the same way, where he's focused on the sport. He wants to have fun with it, but also compete well and do well, so he doesn't want to have distractions."

While Roth was helping secure the Wildcats' state title on Nov. 5, Embry-Riddle was hosting the Sunshine State Conference cross country meet, where it finished fifth with Abby Valley pacing the team in 46th. The Eagles race again on Saturday in Lakeland, Florida in the NCAA Division II South Region Championship, with the indoor track season starting in December.

Before starting her college career, Roth has one last semester at Minster with another shot at spring track.

"My big goal is to win state in the 800 again," she said. "Hopefully push the 4x800, 4x400, some other relays to championships as well. So, we'll see."