In The Nest: Regina Rose Blossoming Into A Leader For Women's Cross Country
Presented By: Medical Mutual
9/18/2024
Despite some key leaders graduating from the Bowling Green cross country program, junior Regina Rose has started to blossom into a leader of her own. As one of the top returning runners for the Falcons, the Granville native reflects on he expanded role on the team, how her parents who are runners have helped her in her career and even her love for baking.
Q: How have you stepped more into a leadership role this season?
Rose: We had such a shift in leadership this year, and I have put more effort into being more welcoming to our newcomers, planning more team activities and being somebody that my teammates can lean on. I had to learn how to be more of a vocal leader which ultimately came from gaining confidence to be my own leader and continue to set a good example on the team. I am glad to have teammates who are also stepping up with me, and we are all learning together how to lead this team to be our best!
Q: What is your favorite part about running for Bowling Green?
Rose: I love this school as a whole, so I am grateful to be able to represent the orange and brown every day! I also have such a deep appreciation for my teammates who make this experience worth every hard workout. Everyone is so encouraging, and I love getting to create more memories with a group of hard working and amazing people. We have such a young team this year too with loads of talent and potential, so I am confident that we will achieve some pretty cool things in the next few years, which makes me so excited!
Q: Besides running, what is your favorite sport?
Rose: I grew up around lots of athletes because my dad is an athletic trainer, and I remember the basketball athletes having such a positive impact on me. I even played for a few years when I was younger, and I enjoy watching basketball games, whether on TV or cheering on my fellow Falcons in the Stroh Center. While I will always have a special place in my heart for track and cross country, basketball is what got me into sports in the first place.
Q: Your parents both have running backgrounds, as your father ran at Otterbein University and your mother ran marathons. How have they helped you through your running career, and what have you learned from them?
Rose: They have always been very encouraging from the start, even when I was still learning how to find my love for the sport. I love to hear their stories from running in high school or college or even in marathons and to know that I am sort of following in their footsteps. Running is a tough sport, so it is helpful to hear encouragement from people who know what it’s like. I have to hand it to them, they’re pretty wise and they give me good advice on training and racing and overall mentality. It is also nice to have parents (and even a younger brother, who knows more than I do about the pros) who enjoy watching pro races together. Also, when I am home, I will sometimes run with them, which makes for some great quality time!
Q: As a collegiate distance runner, you compete in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. How do you achieve balance while competing year-round?
Rose: I competed almost year-round in high school too, so I was used to racing a lot. I balance it by just finding a groove and choosing my priorities based around my schedule. It can get hard with all the roles I play on campus, but I love to compete, so racing gives me something to really look forward to. I think I would go crazy if I had to go a few months without the chance to compete. At the end of the day, it’s all about taking the time for myself and being grateful for the chance to compete at such a high level!
Q: What are your career goals?
Rose: I have planned on going into physical therapy for a long time now, but I would also like to do some research and advocacy for women in sports. I think there is still a lot to be learned about female athletes, and I feel determined to close the gap in what we know. Over the summer, I read the book Good for a Girl, A Woman Running in a Man’s World by Lauren Fleshman (a pro runner), and it really inspired me to be a voice for female athletes in the exercise science world.
Q: Do you have a summer job?
Rose: The past two summers I have worked as a camp counselor, which has given me some great memories! I love working with kids and getting to hear their stories and perspectives on life. They know how to keep things silly, which I think is something that everyone could use each day. It has challenged me to take on a different kind of leadership role and to be more creative with literally everything that I do.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
Rose: My biggest hobby is cooking and baking. I have always loved to bake (especially cookies, there are so many kinds!), but this year I have had to learn how to cook for myself and get creative with my meals. So far it has been a good stress outlet, and I enjoy learning new recipes. It gives me something else to look forward to each day!
Q: What are you involved with on campus?
Rose: Aside from being a student and an athlete, I am a member of several clubs in my major, including the Student Exercise Science Association and Pre-PT club; I am also a member of Exercise is Medicine on Campus. I occasionally help with some of the exercise science labs, and I work at the recreation center on campus a few times a week. I am a SAAC rep for cross country as well, and last year I participated in WA1T, which gave me a great skillset for inclusion and leadership in my sport. And of course, I do many different volunteer opportunities with my team throughout the year!
Q: Why did you choose Bowling Green?
Rose: I felt so welcome from the moment I stepped on campus. The team made me feel like I was a part of their squad before I had even committed, I love their positive and upbeat energy, I knew that I would be well taken care of by the coaching and support staff, and I knew that I would have great opportunities and connections academically. Not to mention, I was impressed with the campus and how much outdoor space there was. I always had a “homey” feeling here.
