Robbie Romano Named CAC XC Runner of the Week
Senior Robbie Romano was selected as the Capital Athletic Conference Men’s Cross-Country Athlete of the Week. So far this season, the Bobcats have only raced in two races – the Piper Alumni Open/XC Challenge at Shippensburg University on Friday, Aug. 31 and the Westmoreland CCC Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 8.
In the first meet of the season, Romano ran to an eighth-place finish at the Galen Piper Cross Country Challenge, as he covered the 6K course in 20:15.8. It was the first time in his career that he finished in the top 10 at Shippensburg. It was also his 10th time finishing in a top-10 spot in his career.
Romano won the Westmoreland CCC Wolfpack Invitational event for the third time in his career, setting the pace at 16:13.7, over 30 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher. As a team, Frostburg won the event for the third-consecutive season. The Bobcats came in first place out of five participating teams.
The Bottom Line got the chance to talk with Robbie about his cross-country career at Frostburg and was able to ask him a few questions about his team, experiences, and goals.
Q: How old were you when you started running cross country competitively?
A: “It was my 10th grade year of high school when I first ran cross country for my school. I was 14 years old my first season.”
Q: How has this season, so far, been different from previous seasons?
A: “For starters, it is my final year of running cross country as a student athlete. It is a unique feeling knowing that this is your last year experiencing the life of a student athlete. The season has been different than other years due to the depth of the men’s team. In years past, we haven’t really had a group of solid runners that could all train together and push each other like they do now.”
Q: What is your favorite part about being on Frostburg’s cross-country team?
A: “My favorite part is the experiences you get to have. I love all the traveling we get to do [when] going to different universities. I enjoy interacting with other runners both on my team and on rivals’ teams. The memories I’ve made and I’m still making are special to being on Frostburg’s team.”
Q: What cross country meet are you most looking forward to this season?
A: “I’m looking forward to the NCAA D3 Regional meet at DeSales [University] the most. It’s one of my favorite courses and it will be my last cross-country race of the year.” This meet will take place on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Q: What is one goal you’re hoping to accomplish before the end of your senior season?
A: “I have two goals for myself. My main goal is to break 26 minutes for the 8k this year. Then my other goal is what I like to call my adventurous goal: it is to make D3 XC Nationals.” 8K is equivalent to 4.9 miles.
Q: If you had one piece of advice for future runners on Frostburg’s cross-country team, what would it be?
A: “Be competitive but race smart. Training is a journey of highs and lows. Don’t rush your training. If you train hard and smart you will get better. And always remember to have fun and smiles go for miles!”
Q: If you could play another sport, what would you play?
A: “I’d love to play soccer or ultimate frisbee or tennis, if I could play another sport.”
Romano and the rest of the Bobcats will host the Bobcat Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 29. The women’s race will begin at 10:30 a.m., while the men’s race is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.
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