RUSTON'S TAYLOR ROLLER (RIGHT) RUNS HIS WAY TO A REGIONAL TITLE IN NOVEMBER
Ruston High School distance runner Taylor Roller will not compete for the Bearcats in 2024. Roller reached out to MileSplit LA on Tuesday inquiring about opportunities to compete unattached in Louisiana.
However, LHSAA rules do not allow unattached runners to compete in meets hosted by LHSAA schools which means Roller will have to find out of state meets in order to compete.
Roller cited "internal conflicts" as the reason for his decision to go it alone in 2024.
"There were some internal conflicts and my mom and I decided it was best to find other options for now," Roller texted.
During this year's cross country season, Roller, the Division I Region I champion, finished ranked No. 7 in Louisiana with a time of 14:57 which he ran at regionals. Only one sophomore in Louisiana, Highland Baptist's Tyler Blissett (14:55), had a faster time than Roller.
"I am running at the Arkansas meet and in Texas, but I was hoping I could race in Baton Rouge," Roller said. "Looks like I will be traveling a lot."
As a freshman, Roller had a personal three mile best of 15:47. He was ranked No. 34 overall in Louisiana. The only freshmen in the state in 2022 who were faster was Blissett (15:29) and Jesuit's Brady Monahan (15:36).
MileSplit LA's attempts to reach the Bearcat track and field staff on Wednesday morning were unsuccessful.
Taylor will not be alone in his training. His younger brother, Tyler Roller, will be running unattached and train with his brother.