Rollins leaves his mark for Pitt State track and field

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pitt State’s Louis Rollins arrived in Pittsburg in 2015 to begin his college track and field career.

In just a week, his time in a Gorilla uniform will be over.

“By no means has it flown by,” Rollins says with a laugh, “I’m not saying I’m ready to go…but we’re looking at seven years, almost a decade here at Pitt State. I’ve met a lot of people and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to experience this. I’m grateful for my time here.”

Between injuries and COVID, it has taken Rollins seven years to complete his eligibility for the Pittsburg State track and field program.

In those seven years, he’s become a 2X All-American in long jump, won multiple MIAA conference championships – and has been a key to the Pittsburg State men’s track and field program consistently being one of the best in the country.

“He’s the reason our men are where they are, because of his leadership. You can’t replicate what he does for this program and you cannot replace it,” says PSU head coach Kyle Rutledge, “He’s a phenomenal person and a phenomenal young man. He’s an outstanding leader and his accolades speak for themselves. He’s an outstanding person and he’s going to be sorely missed.”

“It’s been a long time coming for me here at Pitt State,” Rollins adds, “This one means a lot. Finishing on top is the plan for us as a team, and for me as an individual as well.”

Rollins and the Gorillas will compete in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships next week in Allendale, Michigan.

The Pitt State men are ranked #4 in the nation heading into nationals.

Rollins will compete with the Pitt State 4X100m relay team that is ranked 5th in the nation, and he’s currently #2 in the country in the 110m hurdles.

His time of 13.43 in the 110m hurdles is just .08 off the Division II all-time record, which was set by West Texas A&M’s Jahmaal Wilson just five days ago.

“We’re getting really close to this all-time Division II record. That’s something I have my eye one and it’s something I want to achieve,” Rollins says, “We’re getting closer and closer. Being able to cap off my career with a national title and a national record is the goal.”

“Just to know where he came from, how far he has come and what he’s had to do to get to this point – it would truly be a blessing,” Rutledge says on the possibility of Rollins claiming a national title in his final college competition, “I’m just honored to be a part of it. Hopefully I can help him along the way, but he’s done more for me and this program than I could ever do for him.”

The NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships will begin on May 26th in Allendale, Michigan. Pitt State has 29 qualified to compete in the national meet.

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