SXU Student-Athlete Continues to Set Records
Saint Xavier University (SXU) fifth-year senior Julian Rosenbach continues to set records, recently setting the second-best mark of his career in the 3000m when the men's track and field team competed at the Walter Cramer Invite in Bourbonnais, Ill. He's also setting big goals in his academic career, engaging in hands-on, practical experiences for his exercise science major. Saint Xavier is laying the foundation for his success and setting the tone for his determination.
Rosenbach recorded a time of 9:27.39; however, it wasn't an easy journey to the start line. He actually took a brief break from running beforehand to refresh his mind and body.
"Reaching my second-best mark in the 3000m run was a bittersweet moment for me. I have had so many ups and downs in my training leading up to that race. During that week, I actually felt really bad. My body was tired from weeks of intense training, and I felt it. I was happy because that time reflected the hard work and dedication I had put into my training, and it also indicated that my body was no longer tired. However, it does just leave me hungry for more because I know that I can run faster, and I want to prove to everyone and myself that I can," Rosenbach said.
Before coming to Saint Xavier, Rosenbach competed at Joliet Junior College. Transferring last season and taking a fifth year with the Cougars in 2025 was a no-brainer for him. To finish his exercise science degree, SXU not only provided him with great academic resources but also a phenomenal coaching staff to help him reach his best form.
"Coming back for a fifth year meant that I would be able to finish my degree. The academics for my major are great. The staff who are in the exercise science program are great and really do enjoy doing their jobs," Rosenbach said.
Additionally, the coaches at Saint Xavier have completely transformed Rosenbach's mindset, which he uses on the track and in everyday life.
"Before SXU, I would give up on myself during a race if it didn't go as planned for me. That all changed when I came to SXU. I learned how to fight and compete during practice and races, and how to fight through the pain when things got hard or didn't go the way I wanted. You aren't always going to feel like running a workout or a race, and you aren't always going to feel your best while running one. Still, you have to have the discipline to give it your best and compete during those moments and adapt regardless of the circumstances," Rosenbach said.
Through opportunities within SXU's Exercise Science program, Rosenbach completed a strength and conditioning internship at Saint Laurence High School and hopes to return this semester to volunteer. Rosenbach aims to become a strength and conditioning coach and a personal trainer after college, and his courses at SXU have already enabled him to create workouts for himself and others.
"I wanted to major in exercise science because I have a passion for fitness as well as for team sports and the camaraderie they have. Recently, I have been using what I have learned in my exercise science program to design workouts not only for myself but also for others," Rosenbach said.
Rosenbach and the rest of the men's track team have a full slate of competition ahead to prepare for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) indoor championships at the end of February and the NAIA national championships in March.