Earlier this month, Jarrod Ottman ’20 competed in a Division II men’s 5,000-meter run (Thomas is Division III) at the Plymouth State Invitational. As he’s not part of the division, he was seeded 10/10. He placed first.

“I felt accomplished knowing that all of the hard work I had put in the past week paid off,” said Jarrod.

Jarrod, a sophomore Business Management major, is an avid runner. He competes in both cross-country and indoor track for Thomas College.

He says he likes Thomas College because of its community.

“Everyone is close, non-judgmental, and supports each other in their activities,” said Jarrod. “I like being able to know my peers and professors. It helps with my academics to be so close-knit with everyone.”

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Jarrod, from Merrimack, New Hampshire, only began running competitively his sophomore year in high school – and that was to stay in shape for soccer. It wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he became a year-round runner. He had found his passion.

“It is exciting to be able to continue my running career in college because, if I hadn’t, my career wouldn’t have been long at all,” said Jarrod. “It’s fun to compete with some crazy-fast kids who live and breathe the sport just like me.”

Jarrod said he likes running because it is physically challenging, but he loves it because it is mentally challenging.

“To be able to tell yourself to push, go faster, focus is all the hype about the sport,” he said. “This past weekend, my race was 25 laps around the track. It felt never-ending. Sure, physically someone can run, but if you can’t play the mental game as well, you could be in trouble.”

Jarrod would like to thank his cross country and track coaches.

“They both push me in workouts and races, and they strive to have me at my peak performance and succeed in my races. I couldn’t do it without their support.”