Little Miami High School elevated a familiar family name within their coaching ranks to lead the 2023 edition of Panthers boys golf program. Robert T. Rothermund is no stranger to Panther Athletics. Graduating from LMHS in 2014, Rothermund enjoyed a three-sport athletic career as a prep Panther while participating in golf, basketball and track & field before attending Ohio University where he earned an exercise physiology in December of 2019.
Upon departing from Athens, Coach Rothermund returned to southwestern Ohio where he began coaching at track & field here at LMHS alongside his father and longtime pole vault specialist Robert Rothermund. In addition, Coach Rothermund is employed in the private sector as a distribution field specialist in coordination with his coaching duties.
"We've hired some great coaching talent this school year, and we're proud to include and elevate Coach Rothermund into his first varsity head coaching role during the 2023 golf season as part of this exciting group of new coaches," said athletic director Matt Louis. "Coach Rothermund has a number of positive character traits that project him as a coach who will be highly successful for a long time, here. He's young and has a passion for golf. He's a Panther alumni too, and that brings a comfort in knowing he is committed to instilling consistency into a sport that has experienced recent turnover."
In addition, Coach Rothermund is the son of former LMHS golf coach and PGA pro Pam Rothermund. Also, JV head coach Dustin Prewitt will be joining Coach Robert again this fall to complete to the 2023 staff.
"I don't see this role as a stepping stone for me or the program," said Rothermund. "I'm certainly excited about having the opportunity to lead a program that I've spent a lot of time around growing up. Also, there is a lot of talent returning this upcoming season and we plan to be highly successful with very competitive schedule."
Headlining the Panthers roster this fall season, is rising senior and two-sport star Jake Wittenauer, who looks to qualify his second-straight OHSAA postseason state tournament. In 2022, Wittenauer was Little Miami's first individual district runner-up when he claimed the silver medal at the OHSAA Southwest District Tournament at Heatherwoode Golf Course in Springboro last September. The Panther junior made history by shooting a gross total score of 72 (+1) and finishing in a three-way tie for second place as an individual player for Little Miami.
The following week in Columbus, Wittenauer exited Day 1 of the State Tournament ranked No. 2 overall after shooting a 73. However, he struggled the following day and claimed an 83 in Round 2 and finishing 16th overall with a two-day total of 156.
Following the 2024 season, the Panthers finished 7-4 in head-to-head action and finished at No. 5 in the ECC under second-year head coach Robert Rothermund's direction, and that included impressive wins over both Lebanon and Kings. Austin Nicholas was named honorable mention All-ECC following the Panthers 2024 season.
