TRIPP ROEMER ENJOYS HIS FINAL EIGHT LAPS AT LEE HEDGES DURING THE 1-2A DISTRICT MEET
Moments before Loyola College Prep's Tripp Roemer ran his final high school race at Shreveport's Lee Hedges Stadium at Wednesday's District 1-2A Meet, he remained undecided on how he would run it. Would he go all out and attempt to break the venue record in the 3200m? Or would he just enjoy the moment and soak it all in?
On the first of his "victory" laps it was obvious that Roemer chose the latter. Who can blame him?
Earlier in the day, Roemer won the 1600m in a time 4:34.45, just a couple of seconds shy of his personal record of 4:32.55 earlier this month at the LA Mile Festival in Ruston.
"It felt amazing," Roemer said of his 1600m. "I felt really in control."
While there were smiles and thumbs up from Roemer on the line of the 3200m, which he won with a time of 10:18, and even during the race, it was a bittersweet moment for the Flyer. He described it as "kind of sad."
"I've basically lived here my whole high school career," Roemer said. "Just training here. Racing. It's been a huge memory for me to be able to compete with some great names over the years here. It will stay with me for the rest of my life. You know, (Shreve's)Evan Johnson last year. It was a lot of fun racing him. I'll miss it, definitely."
It's obvious that Lee Hedges Stadium has left an impression on Roemer, but on the flip side--Roemer has left a mark on Shreveport's Jordan Street.
"Tripp Roemer is the face of Loyola Track & Field," LCP head coach Sherrod Lewis said. "He has been on the team since his freshman year and has made a huge impact every season. He made the executive decision to end his soccer career to focus on running. I know that was a tough decision for him, but he said that he wanted to run at the collegiate level. From workouts to nutrition to rest and recovery, Tripp executes everything perfectly. Having someone the younger runners can look up to makes my job a lot easier."
Roemer is proud of the way the LCP program has grown--in both numbers and level of commitment--during his four years.
"It's grown a lot," Roemer said. "We've seen more names and more numbers on the team. Everyone just seems to be a lot more committed than when I got here. There was a community here that was committed and motivated me to get better, but I feel like that community has grown in a way. And it's definitely represented by the times that we did on the track."
After four years, it comes down to his last two weeks. Next Wednesday, he will compete in the Region 1-2A Meet at Mansfield where--barring disaster--he will qualify for the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet in Baton Rouge on Friday, May, 3rd where he hopes to defend his 3200m state title from a year ago.
At state, the stakes will be high and competition intense, unlike his eight trips around the track in his last race at Lee Hedges Stadium on Wednesday.
"I was just having fun, you know," Roemer said of his eight victory laps in the 3200m. "Just reacting to everyone who was cheering me on, saying thank you and stuff. Just having a good time and laughing."
After two weeks, Roemer will be off to Furman University, where more memory-making races and experiences await, but for now--Roemer will just try to soak it all in while he still has the chance. Every single lap.
READ MORE: LCP GIRLS, GREEN OAKS BOYS WIN DISTRICT 1-2A TITLES!