{
  "id": 9304153,
  "title": "Rick Rothman built XC course in Boca Raton. Now it bears his name.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/rick-rothman-built-xc-course-in-boca-raton-now-it-bears-his-name-9304153",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-23T09:11:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rick-rothman-built-xc-course-091121031.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Spanish River cross country coach Rick Rothman spent over three decades building championship teams and developing athletes who continued the sport beyond their high school careers. At the 44th annual Spanish River Invitational in Boca Raton on Saturday, officials honored Rothman by dedicating the Rick Rothman Cross Country Course, recognizing his influence in shaping generations of runners and creating one of South Florida's premier racing venues. Rothman, who was inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2006, led his programs to seven girls state championships, multiple boys and girls state runner-up finishes, and more than 150 major championships. The course, which Rothman designed and built in 2004, is used for high school, college, and USA Track and Field meets, as well as various regional and national competitions. Among his notable successes, Rothman's athletes like Cassie Henkiel qualified for the Olympic Trials, and Melissa Perlman is pursuing the qualifying mark as an active runner. Former athletes, coaching colleagues, and friends from across the country attended the ceremony, making it a reunion of sorts. Rothman, who still plans to stay involved with the Sharks cross country program, expressed satisfaction in leaving behind a legacy through his athletes' continued success in the sport.",
  "summary": "Rick Rothman designed the South County Regional Park course in 2004. Now the longtime Spanish River coach has a permanent place on it.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rick Rothman spent over three decades building championship cross country teams.",
    "Rothman's athletes achieved numerous state championships and competed in high-profile meets."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Rick Rothman built XC course in Boca Raton. Now it bears his name.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/rick-rothman-built-xc-course-in-boca-raton-now-it-bears-his-name",
        "published": "2026-09-23T09:11:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}