ALL ROHDES LEAD TO COLUMBUS — Catholic Central’s Andrew Rohde, front, second from right, signed his letter of intent to be a distance runner at the Ohio State University earlier this week. Joining the state placer in track and cross country were, front, from left, his parents Jeff and Bridget Rohde and his sister Mary Rohde, and back, from left, CCHS head cross country coach Tiffany Dobson, head track coach Bob Stanko, athletic director Jonanthan Hoover and principal Thomas Graham. - Andrew Grimm

STEUBENVILLE — Andrew Rohde has had quite the career at Catholic Central — and it’s not over.

While he still has more running to do in a blue and gold uniform, earlier this week the senior standout distance runner made official the next colors he will wear — scarlet and gray — inking his intention to compete and study at Ohio State.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to pursue running in college, but also getting a great degree at a great university,” Rohde said.

While he obviously had choices, the Buckeyes stood out for multiple reasons he said. Starting with his major — biochemistry/premed and the program in Columbus. His father, Jeff, is also an alum having played for the Ohio State soccer program.

“I would say there were three things that separated them from the other universities I visited. No. 1 was the coach. (Ohio State head track coach Rosalind Joseph) has done a great job building up this organization. No. 2, it’s the group of guys that I’ll be running with. They’re really academically oriented, which was a priority of mine. But then also, they’re really fast guys, and it’s going to be a great team to run with. And then No. 3 was the opportunities that the university had,” Rohde said. “I’ll have the opportunity to get a great degree, but they also had great resources for athletes, especially with research opportunities and other things in my industry that I’m considering pursuing after college.”

Just like at Central, he intends to compete on both the track (indoor and outdoor) and cross country course with the Buckeyes.

Rohde was a state placer on both courses in his most recent seasons, finishing third in the 1600 at state track last spring as a junior and third in the state cross country meet this past fall as a senior, where he was one of four finishers to go under the prior state record time. He was also the runner up in the OVAC meet.

“It’s huge having one of your athletes go to a big time Division I program, especially Ohio State, that’s a great accomplishment,” Central track coach Bob Stanko said. “We don’t see that too often here. You’ve got to go back quite a ways to see the last person that has gone to a big time school (Teddi Jo Maslowski in 2011) so having this happen again for Andrew is super special and we’re very excited.”

Rohde’s performances and recognition have been a boost to the program, the coach said.

“It certainly puts us on the map, that is for sure. Not that we haven’t been on the map, but everybody knows who he is,” Stanko said. “You’re at meets, track meets and cross country meets, and we’re hearing people from schools across the state saying, ‘Hey, there’s Andrew Rohde from Steubenville Central,’ so that means a whole heck of a lot for us.”

It’s the drive to keep improving his coaches think will lead to even more success.

“It’s just amazing. I’m really proud of him,” Catholic Central cross country coach Tiffany Dobson said. “He worked really hard all season. He’s worked hard ever since I met him. So, for him to be able to realize this, it’s just great.

“He got third at state and he wanted more. He’s still broke the state record … that drive is what’s going to send him to do big things at Ohio State. He pushes himself.”

Not only is his success a big boost for the Crusaders, it’s an example for his teammates and Central runners to come after him.

“It’s a great example because even the kids that are going to be on the team next year, they’ve been looking up to him this year and they’ve watched what he’s been able to do,” Dobson said. “So, now these kids have something to look forward to next year. They can then be the example for the rest of the team.”

Dobson thinks it shows the improving strength of the runners in the Valley.

“I think we’re getting more competitive,” Dobson said. “I think more and more kids are stepping up and seeing what can be done and they’re really pushing themselves.”