The University of Akron Athletics
Photo by: Bobby Ellis/Ball State Universit
Garrett Rohlk Hired as Akron Track & Field Throws Coach
September 21 | Track & Field
AKRON, Ohio — Garrett Rohlk has been hired as throws coach for the Akron track & field program.
Rohlk comes to Akron from Division II Northwood University in Midland, Mich., after serving as head men's and women's track & field coach for the past three seasons. He also was the program's throws coach during the 2022-23 season.
During his time as head coach of the Timberwolves, Rohlk oversaw eight All-America performances, 13 NCAA Championships qualifiers, seven Great-Midwest Athletic Conference individual titles, 18 all-conference selections and nine school records broken in one of the top track & field leagues in all of Division II.
Additionally, Blake Vier was named G-MAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2026 and finished third in the 110m hurdles at the NCAA Championships.
In his four years overseeing throws, Rohlk elevated the program by coaching six different individuals who qualified for the NCAA Championships — all of which earned All-America honors. Kelsey Hansen, who was an All-American hammer thrower in 2025, became the women's program's first in 13 years regardless of event.
Rohlk made an immediate mark for the Timberwolves, as his throws squad had four athletes earn all-conference honors, two conference champions in indoor and outdoor shot put, including a sweep of the podium finishes during the men's shot put at the 2023 G-MAC Outdoor Championships, and two NCAA indoor qualifiers.
"Garrett is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff," Akron director of track & field/cross country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales said. "He brings an infectious energy and a relentless commitment to the fine technical details that create championship throwers. Akron throws has long established itself as a force, and Garrett's expertise will be instrumental in taking our student-athletes from conference contenders to national-level performers. His dedication to student-athlete technical development is exceptional, and I can't wait to see the immediate impact he makes as we continue building toward new championship heights."
Rohlk came to Midland following a three-year stint at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., as a graduate assistant/throws coach. The Griffons had much success under Rohlk, who guided a first-team All-American, two second-team All-Americans, two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) champions, four national qualifiers and eleven NCAA Division II qualifying marks. Additionally, his athletes held 11 of the 12 school throwing records prior to his departure.
A four-year thrower at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa from 2014-18, Rohlk broke two school records in the weight and hammer throws and was a six-time scorer at Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship meets while being a team captain. A standout student, he was a two-time Academic All-IIAC and was also named a USTFCCCA All-Academic selection. Additionally, he was the recipient of Buena Vista's Male Athlete of the Year award as a senior in 2018.
Rohlk graduated from Buena Vista in 2018 and earned two master's degrees from Missouri Western State in 2022 in sport and fitness management and business administration.
The Ida Grove, Iowa native attended OABCIG (Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove) High School and graduated in 2014. He was a four-year letterwinner in track & field and placed eighth at the state meet as a senior in the discus. Rohlk also lettered in football and basketball while being a three-time academic all-district selection.
Rohlk comes to Akron from Division II Northwood University in Midland, Mich., after serving as head men's and women's track & field coach for the past three seasons. He also was the program's throws coach during the 2022-23 season.
During his time as head coach of the Timberwolves, Rohlk oversaw eight All-America performances, 13 NCAA Championships qualifiers, seven Great-Midwest Athletic Conference individual titles, 18 all-conference selections and nine school records broken in one of the top track & field leagues in all of Division II.
Additionally, Blake Vier was named G-MAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2026 and finished third in the 110m hurdles at the NCAA Championships.
In his four years overseeing throws, Rohlk elevated the program by coaching six different individuals who qualified for the NCAA Championships — all of which earned All-America honors. Kelsey Hansen, who was an All-American hammer thrower in 2025, became the women's program's first in 13 years regardless of event.
Rohlk made an immediate mark for the Timberwolves, as his throws squad had four athletes earn all-conference honors, two conference champions in indoor and outdoor shot put, including a sweep of the podium finishes during the men's shot put at the 2023 G-MAC Outdoor Championships, and two NCAA indoor qualifiers.
"Garrett is an outstanding addition to our coaching staff," Akron director of track & field/cross country Kendra Reimer-Gonzales said. "He brings an infectious energy and a relentless commitment to the fine technical details that create championship throwers. Akron throws has long established itself as a force, and Garrett's expertise will be instrumental in taking our student-athletes from conference contenders to national-level performers. His dedication to student-athlete technical development is exceptional, and I can't wait to see the immediate impact he makes as we continue building toward new championship heights."
Rohlk came to Midland following a three-year stint at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo., as a graduate assistant/throws coach. The Griffons had much success under Rohlk, who guided a first-team All-American, two second-team All-Americans, two Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) champions, four national qualifiers and eleven NCAA Division II qualifying marks. Additionally, his athletes held 11 of the 12 school throwing records prior to his departure.
A four-year thrower at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa from 2014-18, Rohlk broke two school records in the weight and hammer throws and was a six-time scorer at Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship meets while being a team captain. A standout student, he was a two-time Academic All-IIAC and was also named a USTFCCCA All-Academic selection. Additionally, he was the recipient of Buena Vista's Male Athlete of the Year award as a senior in 2018.
Rohlk graduated from Buena Vista in 2018 and earned two master's degrees from Missouri Western State in 2022 in sport and fitness management and business administration.
The Ida Grove, Iowa native attended OABCIG (Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove) High School and graduated in 2014. He was a four-year letterwinner in track & field and placed eighth at the state meet as a senior in the discus. Rohlk also lettered in football and basketball while being a three-time academic all-district selection.
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
