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Collapse inspires Bison senior even more for college running
McCOOK, Neb. — Her eyes opened in the medical tent at Kearney Country Club perhaps briefly with the thought “pinch me, this is just a bad dream!”
Yet only moments later, Samatha Rodewald was finding something positive about this late collapse during the Nebraska state cross country meet last month.
“I was really confused for a second, then I remember my dad (Anthony) saying you did your best,” McCook High’s three-time state medalist on the four-time district team champs recalled. “And then I thought yes I did. I finally went all out because I’d always been kind of scared to push to my breaking point.”
“Now I just have to learn to do that...without having heat stroke,” she added.
Sammy conquered 92-degree heat to win the UNK Invitational just one year and a month earlier.
“Heat is not my friend, but it was pretty fun because it’s like a mini state,” she explained.
She’ll be thrilled for one more state meet state meet next spring at Omaha Burke Stadium.
Sammy’s been the lead runner on two consecutive Class B two-mile relays that have earned state medals.
Yet she’ll also continue working to cross country and track goals starting in 2023 at NCAA Division II Chadron State College.
Sammy signed to join both programs during a special ceremony on Friday at McCook High School.
“They go hand in hand, it’s not uncommon for (distance runners) to do both,” Bison coach Tom Sughroue proclaimed. “Sammy’s never been afraid of the work. Her mileage will pick up per week. Her pace will pick up and her times will go down.”
“I expect Sammy will rise to the occasion,” he concluded.
“I don’t like taking breaks,” Sammy added.
McCook coaches recall Sammy following sister ElsiAnna’s footsteps into the Bison running programs.
However, Sughroue noticed her work ethic which led to Sammy “ starting like gangbusters” as a freshman.
The next four years have been glorious with McCook High girls winning all sorts of invite titles whether track or cross country.
She’s still be thinking about “redemption” at Chadron following that heat-stroke finale.
“The big key has been just coming to practice every day and trying to get better,” Sammy said. “I’ll be doing the same (at Chadron).”
Sammy also finds Chadron as her best college destination.
She’ll focus on the wildlife management program with plans to likely become a field biologist or backcountry ranger.
“I’ve always loved the outdoors,” she concluded.