College: University of Tulsa 

Major: Joe Snyder – Mechanical Engineering

Major: Levi Rowan – Exercise Science/Pre-physical Therapy

As they  race through the finish line, completing their events for the day, their teammates cheer them on from the side. Joe Snyder and Levi Rowan, seniors, have both found ways to succeed in running while creating a special relationship together.

Both Snyder and Rowan knew each other since they attended the same elementary school, but it was their sophomore year when they said they first became close. Rowan contacted Snyder about becoming gym partners because he wanted to get into lifting.

“We started grinding [at the gym] every day,” Snyder said. “We really wanted to get better for the track season [because] that was a big goal of ours.”

Now, both runners have signed and committed to the University of Tulsa, but the recruitment process was very different for both. With Snyder committing first, Rowan said it played a factor into his commitment. 

“Having somebody there that you already know is really important [to me],” Rowan said. “[It] makes me feel a bit more [at] home.”

Before they both run off to Tulsa for their next school year, the two said they’ve already started planning. They anticipate rooming together but also have to schedule their classes and relationship around the five hours of practice their coach has planned for the cross country season.

“[The coach] definitely wants to get a head start on the training,” Snyder said. “It’s easier to work out with the team rather than by yourself, which is what we’ll be doing most of the summer.” 

According to them, Snyder’s main focus is shorter sprints, while Rowan’s focus is cross country. This will eliminate competition between the pair at Tulsa.

“[It’s] fun because [we’re] not directly competing a lot of the time,” Rowan said. “He’s more focused on faster, sprint stuff, and I’m more focused on longer stuff.”