Student-Athlete Summer Spotlight #13: Emmanuel Rotich
Aug 21, 2017 | General, Cross Country, Green Wave Club
Tulane Athletics will be putting the spotlight on student-athletes from all sports during the summer months, as many of them work internships, travel the world and share their unique experiences. Check back each week for a new edition featuring another Green Wave student-athlete! #ROLLWAVE
Who: Emmanuel Rotich, Cross Country
What:Â Spent the summer in his homeland of Kenya
When:Â Summer 2017
Where:Â Kenya
Q1: How have you enjoyed your summer? What have you done this summer to work on your skills and/or conditioning?
This summer has been one of the most amazing experiences since I went to college. I got the opportunity to tour Kenya in my first trip back since arriving at Tulane, and the new experience was totally different. I left the country as a boy with little significance, but going back was a different story. Everyone was looking forward to meeting me and learning about my American dream. Part of the privileges that came with my new status is that I could now dine with my idols, such as David Rudisha, Ezekiel Kemboi, Stanislus Kipruto, Mercy Chebet, and many others, who are renowned in the world over for their successes in track & field events. The peak of it all was to get a slot in the Kenyan trials where I competed with the greats who represented the country in London.
I also had the chance to interact and hang around with my former training mates. Unlike in the previous years where I was a student, this time I had a lot to share and train because of my international exposure. As for my training, I have been running at high altitude, which is my favorite place to train (Keringet, Rift Valley, Kenya; highest elevation is 9600ft). I have done a lot to convince myself that I am a better athlete now than when I left the New Orleans for my summer in Kenya. I 've also clocked some personal records in the process. I may not have attained all I wanted, but I am satisfied so far.
Q2: What is one aspect of your game have you been working on most or you want to improve from last year to this coming season?Â
Winning and losing is part of every sport. I had such a great season last year and it really motivated me, but I came back from the NCAA Championships disappointed [in my performance]. I took that positively to keep me rolling. I wasn't good enough to post the best results, but I'm glad that I learned from the experience. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm thankful for my improvement, and I'm ready to run even faster.
Q3: What is one of the more interesting things you did this summer?
The most interesting things I did was I spend my summer in Kenya, training with renowned world champions in a high altitude environment.Â
Q4: How would you describe your time at Tulane so far, in terms of enjoying life on campus and being so close to home for college?
My life at Tulane has been really amazing. The administration, location, friends and many experiences have had an impact on my life. It is a fairytale in the real sense of the word. It is an experience I can't explain to the people back at home. Most can't fathom. The exposure is totally different from what we were raised up in or dreamt of. I'm grateful to have coach Eric Peterson and the Tulane Athletics staff who have helped me grow as an athlete and a young man. Representing Tulane has been something that has elevated me to folk hero status; not because of the many titles I have won, but because of the immense expectations that I have to shoulder day in and day out. I love everything at Tulane. It has given me an opportunity to study Architecture, which is the dream of every young person back at home, but usually reserved for the children from a higher social class. The school is really supportive as well.Â
Q5: What has you excited about coming back to campus this fall and preparing to compete during the 2017 season?
I'm really excited to come back to school and start the fall semester. I have had an eventful summer so far. The latter part of the summer has been full of activities, as I took on the responsibility in creating a team of young boys that I am mentoring in athletics and education. However, every story has its end, and I have to resume my studies and other activities in the US. I'm excited to come back to Tulane to join my teammates as we chase our dreams.
Thanks Tulane! ROLL WAVE!
Â
Who: Emmanuel Rotich, Cross Country
What:Â Spent the summer in his homeland of Kenya
When:Â Summer 2017
Where:Â Kenya
Q1: How have you enjoyed your summer? What have you done this summer to work on your skills and/or conditioning?
This summer has been one of the most amazing experiences since I went to college. I got the opportunity to tour Kenya in my first trip back since arriving at Tulane, and the new experience was totally different. I left the country as a boy with little significance, but going back was a different story. Everyone was looking forward to meeting me and learning about my American dream. Part of the privileges that came with my new status is that I could now dine with my idols, such as David Rudisha, Ezekiel Kemboi, Stanislus Kipruto, Mercy Chebet, and many others, who are renowned in the world over for their successes in track & field events. The peak of it all was to get a slot in the Kenyan trials where I competed with the greats who represented the country in London.
I also had the chance to interact and hang around with my former training mates. Unlike in the previous years where I was a student, this time I had a lot to share and train because of my international exposure. As for my training, I have been running at high altitude, which is my favorite place to train (Keringet, Rift Valley, Kenya; highest elevation is 9600ft). I have done a lot to convince myself that I am a better athlete now than when I left the New Orleans for my summer in Kenya. I 've also clocked some personal records in the process. I may not have attained all I wanted, but I am satisfied so far.
Q2: What is one aspect of your game have you been working on most or you want to improve from last year to this coming season?Â
Winning and losing is part of every sport. I had such a great season last year and it really motivated me, but I came back from the NCAA Championships disappointed [in my performance]. I took that positively to keep me rolling. I wasn't good enough to post the best results, but I'm glad that I learned from the experience. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm thankful for my improvement, and I'm ready to run even faster.
Q3: What is one of the more interesting things you did this summer?
The most interesting things I did was I spend my summer in Kenya, training with renowned world champions in a high altitude environment.Â
Q4: How would you describe your time at Tulane so far, in terms of enjoying life on campus and being so close to home for college?
My life at Tulane has been really amazing. The administration, location, friends and many experiences have had an impact on my life. It is a fairytale in the real sense of the word. It is an experience I can't explain to the people back at home. Most can't fathom. The exposure is totally different from what we were raised up in or dreamt of. I'm grateful to have coach Eric Peterson and the Tulane Athletics staff who have helped me grow as an athlete and a young man. Representing Tulane has been something that has elevated me to folk hero status; not because of the many titles I have won, but because of the immense expectations that I have to shoulder day in and day out. I love everything at Tulane. It has given me an opportunity to study Architecture, which is the dream of every young person back at home, but usually reserved for the children from a higher social class. The school is really supportive as well.Â
Q5: What has you excited about coming back to campus this fall and preparing to compete during the 2017 season?
I'm really excited to come back to school and start the fall semester. I have had an eventful summer so far. The latter part of the summer has been full of activities, as I took on the responsibility in creating a team of young boys that I am mentoring in athletics and education. However, every story has its end, and I have to resume my studies and other activities in the US. I'm excited to come back to Tulane to join my teammates as we chase our dreams.
Thanks Tulane! ROLL WAVE!
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
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