Arizona Heat: Bailey Roth

Tell us a little about the decision for Arizona. Clearly, you had some options in front of you, so what made the decision for you for Arizona?

 

I'm really happy about my decision to run for the Arizona Wildcats. It was an easy choice for me when it came down to it. I felt  most comfortable with Coach James Li, he really understands me and I feel that we can work together quite well. I am impressed with his outstanding history with coaching Bernard Lagat and Lawi Lalang. I feel honored and inspired to share a coach with two of the greatest runners in the United States. My goal is to become the best that I can be, and I am really confident that coach Li is the one to get me there. 

 

Obviously, cross country will be on the plate for you at Arizona, but do you have a clear idea yet what track event or events they'll want you to be running there?

 

I'm eager to see what I can do in cross country. I believe being competitive during cross country will enable me to reach new heights on the track . I do not have a clear idea on the exact events in which I'll be competing during track, but my goal is to be a good all-around distance runner so that I'm prepared for anything that my coach may throw my way.

 

You had a lot of success with the steeplechase last summer, eventually posting a US#2 all-time mark in the event. When did you decide to try that out, and where did you find opportunity to practice the event adequately?

 

I tried the steeplechase for the first time during the summer of 2012 at the New Balance Scholastic Invitational in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately I missed one of my events (3000m). My primary event was the 1500m . My coach Jim told me to hop into the steeple,  "Roth, why come all this way for one event?"  So, I ran the steeplechase 30 min after the 1500m. As nervous as could be, I did my best,  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing at first, I just did what the others in front of me were doing. I ended up winning with a 6:18 for the 2k steeple.

 

I thought it was the worst event there was due to the level of exhaustion and energy it took to complete. It wasn't until this last summer where I had the opportunity to race the steeple at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals where I ran 5:49 and won the meet out of the slow heat.(due to my slow 6:18 seed time) that the steeplechase stuck my interest. I knew I could run faster and couldn't wait for the next time I would try it.

 

I didn't have facilities to practice the steeple here in Colorado Springs, so my dad and I set up hurdles around the infield of the track and would practice going over them during my cool down. 

 

You moved to Colorado Springs between your sophomore and junior years of high school. Did you know about the Coronado program before you moved, or did you just happen to land in the right place?

 

The first thing my parents did before we moved to Colorado Springs was call ahead to the local schools and ask about their academic and athletic programs. My parents really liked what they heard about Coronado and especially their running program.

 

Head coach Doug Hugill welcomed us with open arms. It was his faith and character that won us over. Coach Hugill had no idea at that time that my sister Gabby and I were good runners. Yet he gave us alot of attention. He gave us great information about the team, his training philosophies, and the history of the program. As we transitioned to Coronado, Coach Hugill made us feel right at home.  It ended up being a great fit. I'm so glad that I have coach Hugill there for me as a coach and a mentor. Inside and out of the classroom he has led me to become worthy of doing great things. 

 

Pick a best moment of your high school career thus far for us.

 

My best moment of my highschool career... this is a hard one, instead of just one moment, let me recap. These marks are from freshmen year until junior year.

 

• Winning the freshmen mile at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. 

• Winning the Georgia XC state championship as a sophomore

• Junior year was bringing home three gold metals from the CHSA state track and feild championships. And competing in the World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine, where I placed 7th with a 5:45 for the 2k steeple. 

 

When you walk off the state track at Jeffco in May, what's one thing you most want to have accomplished by that time?

 

There is more than one thing I want to have accomplished as I walk off the state track. However I am not the type to talk about my goals, Yet I am the type to show everyone what I'm made of on race day. I feel that God has blessed me with the ability to accomplish my dreams and goals, with that being said, actions speak louder than words.

 

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It should prove to be an exciting spring. Coronado runs an ambitious track schedule, but the Cougars stay mostly in the Colorado Springs/Pueblo area. So, if you're looking for a chance to see or race against Roth during the invitational season, you may have to head south a little way down I-25. And, we wil all look forward to what the state meet might hold.