Mishawaka, Ind. senior Anna Rohrer announced via Twitter that she will remain in state to compete for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the next four years.
"It's been a tough decision, but this is where God has [led] me," she posted on Twitter on Thursday morning.
"I chose Notre Dame because the campus and the student body is the perfect size for me, and I know that at Notre Dame I will receive a spectacular education that will get me far in life," she said. "Also, I love the team atmosphere and the support from the coach. I think one of the biggest factors though is the spiritual atmosphere surrounding campus. God wants me to go here."
The 2014 Gatorade National Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year is just the second female to win two Foot Locker Nationals titles in non-consecutive years. The other is Jordan Hasay (Mission Prep '09), now of the Nike Oregon Project. Rohrer also won the 2014 New Balance Nationals title in the 5k in 16:16.97.
She is chose to stay in Indiana after considering offers from Stanford, Providence College, Furman and the University of Michigan.
"[It's] huge for our program and running community in general," said Mishawaka head coach Chris Kowaleski. "Anna is so popular and staying local at hometown favorite Notre Dame will hopefully get all young runners paying attention to collegiate cross country/track more and dreaming big.
"It basically came down to where she felt most comfortable seeing herself as a student-athlete for the next few years. Coach Sparks did a great job selling his vision of the program and his plan for Anna."
Rohrer's victories are all the more impressive given a string of debilitating injuries.
"[The] thing I will remember is her determination to keep getting better through all the injuries," said Kowaleski. "Last January, she was rock bottom in a wheelchair for several weeks wondering if she would ever compete again, much less receive a scholarship. But she kept working, believing and giving her all; a lesson we can learn from."
Rohrer says she is not sure what her next race will be, but she hopes to hit the indoor circuit.
Since it is only February and my season will go until July, I am working on building a solid base, incorporating time in the weight room, and cross training
