Former Cross Country and Track Standout Molly Rouillard Qualifies for U.S. Olympic Team Trials

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Former Bridgewater State University track & field All-American and cross country standout, Molly Rouillard, has qualified for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon.

A 2013 graduate of Bridgewater State, Rouillard posted a personal-best time of 2:44.50 (6.17 mile pace) at the California International Marathon in Sacramento, California on December 8th to qualify for the trials.

The 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Marathon) will take place on Saturday, February 29th in Atlanta, Georgia as part of America's Marathon Weekend. Competitors will begin the race in front of Centennial Olympic Park, the crown jewel of the 1996 Atlanta Games. The three-mile final loop runs under the Rings and Torch structure from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with the finish line inside Olympic Park.

Including her performance in California last month, Rouillard has competed in eight marathons beginning with the 2014 Baystate Marathon in Lowell, Massachusetts. She has also competed at the Boston Marathon in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the New York City Marathon in 2015 and 2018, and the 2016 Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Molly won the Lehigh Valley Health Network Via Marathon (3:07.51), placed third at the Baystate Marathon (2:51.59) and finished 29th at the 2018 New York City Marathon (2:49.18).

A native of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Rouillard graduated from Bridgewater State in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science and Health Fitness. She posted an impressive 3.70 grade point average, was named to the Dean's List in each of her ten semesters at BSU and was a nine-time MASCAC All-Academic Team selection. Molly was also chosen as both the Bridgewater State and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2013 and was selected to the 2013 Capital One NCAA Division III Academic All-District One Women's Track and Field/Cross Country Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

In the sport of cross country, Molly won the MASCAC individual title and captured MASCAC Runner of the Year honors in each of her three seasons (2010, 2011, 2012). She also earned All-New England accolades and qualified for the 2012 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships where she finished 50th at the national meet.

In track & field, Molly earned All-American honors on two separate occasions. She placed seventh in the mile at the 2013 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships and finished seventh in the 1,500-meter run at the 2013 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Rouillard also qualified in the 5,000-meter run (15th place)  and the 10,000-meter run (did not compete) at the 2013 outdoor national championship meet, and placed 12th in the 10,000-meter run at the 2012 NCAA DIII outdoor championships.

For her performance on the track in 2013, Molly was selected as the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Division III New England Track Athlete of the Year.

Molly still holds the Bears' indoor records in the 3,000-meter run (10:19.00), the mile (4:53.72) and the 5,000-meter run (17:22.23), as well as the school outdoor marks in the 1,500-meter run (4:27.18), the 5,000-meter run (16:55.72) and the 10,000-meter run (35:49.99). She also ran a leg on the Bears' record-setting distance medley relay squad which posted a time of 12:14.74 during the 2012 indoor season.

Molly is presently a Preschool Teaching Assistant at the Andrew B. Cushman School in her hometown of Dartmouth.