Roman Yocham is one of the most successful long distance runners in Iola High School history. The IHS senior won back-to-back league championships in cross country and qualified for the state cross country meet four straight years.
On Thursday, Yocham signed to run cross country and track for Allen County Community College. Yocham selected a program that shifted to distance race heavy under head coach Vince DeGrado.
“It’s also closer to home and I can get my general education classes out of the way before transferring to a four-year college,” Yocham said in why he chose to sign with his hometown community college.
Yocham finished a four-year run at the Kansas Class 4A state cross country meet with two state medals in his career. He was 20th as a freshman, then claimed ninth as a sophomore, which was the first top-10 finish by an IHS runner since 1997.
Yocham’s time as a sophomore for the 5K race was 17 minutes, 11.42 seconds. Last year, Yocham finished 22nd and he was 32nd as a senior at the state meet.
After placing third in the Southeast Kansas League cross country meet as a freshman, Yocham won back-to-back SEK individual championships. In his final SEK meet race on his home course this fall, Yocham placed fourth in the 5K race in 17:37. He earned all-SEK honors all four years.
“Yes, under me Allen County is more of a distance race/cross country heavy program because that is my speciality. Roman comes in with solid times and a great work ethic,” DeGrado said. “Marv (IHS head coach Marvin Smith) gets a lot out of his kids here in Iola.”
DeGrado, who is in his second stint as ACCC’s head coach for cross country and track, said he expects Yocham to see improvement in his times as he works into the college level runs. He said Yocham will have runners to train with who will push him to improve his times.
“Plus, he is here in Iola and I can keep my eye on him. He’ll be around our environment,” DeGrado said.
Yocham has competed in both the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races for the Mustang track team. As a sophomore, Yocham won a Class 4A regional championship in the 3200 in 10:15.63 seconds and went on to take 16th at the state track meet.
Yocham was third in both the 1600 and 3200 as a sophomore at the SEK track meet. He finished third in the SEK 1600-meter race a year ago in 5:50.34. Yocham placed fourth in the SEK 1600 meters as a freshman in 4:55.2.
A year ago, Yocham won the IHS Doc Stiles Invitational cross country meet in 16:45.
“I believe I can contribute to the ACCC programs. I’m looking forward to running at the college level,” Yocham said.
Yocham plans to pursue a degree in business. He is the son of Carrie Stiffler and Jeff Yocham, both of Iola.
