Werner inspired by 2-time FL champ Rohrer

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

If there is any runner who can appreciate Taylor Werner's journey to return to the Foot Locker National finals Saturday, it's Anna Rohrer.

That's because Rohrer, a two-time national champion, has served as the biggest inspiration for Werner throughout the long road to recovery following an injury-plagued junior season.

Rohrer, a former Mishawaka (Indiana) standout who recently earned All-America honors during her debut cross country season at Notre Dame, won the 2012 national title as a sophomore before missing the opportunity to defend her title the following year because of navicular fractures in both feet.

Rohrer returned last year to become the fifth female athlete in the meet's 37-year history to win a second national title. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to reunite in San Diego with her Midwest teammate Werner, a star at Ste. Genevieve in Missouri, who couldn't compete because of hip and hamstring injuries.

"I met Taylor when she was a freshman and she already showed tremendous talent and just purely loved running," Rohrer said. "We became good friends on our first Foot Locker trip, so it was really unfortunate that we both had injuries and missed racing with each other again."

Werner remained in contact with Rohrer and the magnitude of her friend's victory had a significant impact on the Arkansas commit throughout her rehabilitation.

"We texted a little back and forth but nothing more than a congratulations or a good luck kind of text. When I got my injury, she sent me a message telling me that everything was going to be OK," Werner said. "Seeing her win nationals again and rebounding from her injury like that, I reached out to her to get some insight so I could get through my injury."

The wisdom gained from Rohrer helped Werner rebuild her confidence and refocus on not only returning to Foot Locker Nationals, but contending for a championship.

"After getting to know her and getting through my own injuries, I had no doubt she would come back just fine," Rohrer said. "Something my high school coach told me during my injuries was that talent doesn't go away."

Werner validated Rohrer's belief by becoming the second female in Missouri history to win four individual titles and capturing the Midwest Regional championship Nov. 28 by covering the 5-kilometer Wayne E. Dannehl course Wisconsin in 16:57.3.

Rohrer also ran 16:57 at the same Wisconsin-Parkside venue last year on her way to joining Melody Fairchild -- who ran the Balboa Park course record of 16:39 in 1990 -- as the only two-time girls champions from the Midwest.

"I talked to her a lot about it, and I believe she really helped me mentally through that time. She told me multiple times that I'll feel better than ever, and it's crazy how accurate she was," Werner said. "I keep her in the back of my head most of the time to remind myself that it's possible to come back stronger than ever."

Werner finished 13th in her national finals debut in 17:53 and improved to 10th in 2013, clocking 17:44.

Rohrer improved from 17:25 as a sophomore at Balboa Park to run 17:13 last year, securing a 10-second victory over Ryen Frazier of Ravenscroft (N.C.).

"I love Anna, and I'm so glad I met her, especially when it came to that rough injury. I see what she ran and I compare it to myself, and I'm not going to lie, it would be awesome to win," Werner said. "But my main goal is to run with my fullest potential and just have a good race. Honestly, I feel like my freshmen and sophomore years I didn't perform to what I was capable of. So to have a really good race at Foot Locker would be the cherry on top to an amazing season."

Werner is among a trio of three-time finalists, along with Hannah DeBalsi (Staples, Conn.) and Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Mar, Iowa). Her familiarity with the Balboa Park course will prove as beneficial as her desire to secure a third career All-America honor.

"I feel as if I know the Balboa course pretty well, and I know it's a lot like the kind of courses we run in Missouri," Werner said. "The courses we run, in most people's opinions, are fairly harder than a lot of courses out there. I think that gave me a lot of motivation throughout the season to figure out how to run those types of courses. I'm so excited. I think it's the perfect meet to end my last year of high school cross country."

Rohrer knows about perfect endings, with her mental toughness and tenacity being rewarded again with the ultimate prize in her final high school cross country race.

Werner hopes to complete her emotional journey in the same inspirational fashion, with her final step being the first across the finish line to join Rohrer among the legacy of great Foot Locker champions.

"I was so happy when she asked me for advice because I felt like I could really help her get back," Rohrer said. "I am proud of her perseverance and I'm hoping to see another Midwest champ [Saturday]."