South Dakota Mines

Rob Baruth was born and raised on a farm in Alpena, SD, and he graduated from Alpena High School in 1990. He first enrolled at Black Hills State University but transferred to SD Mines in the spring of 1992, graduating with a degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences with a business management emphasis in 1995. Coach Jerry Schafer was central in his decision to transfer.
 
Rob was a four-year member of the Hardrocker Track and Field Team, amassing many honors and awards. He was a two-time National Qualifier in Discus in 1993 and 1995, and he was a National Qualifier in Javelin in 1995. He was a former all-time record holder for Discus at SD Mines from 1995-2000, and he continues to be ranked fourth all-time in Discus and in the top twelve all-time for Javelin.
 
Rob was a 14-time All-Conference performer in the SDIC, being named SDIC Conference Champion in the Discus in 1992, 1993, and 1995, and SDIC Conference Champion in the Javelin in 1995. He was SDIC Conference Runner-up in both Discus and Javelin in 1994, and he was named a District 12 Runner-up in Discus in 1993. He was also a Howard Wood Dakota Relays College Discus Champion in 1995 and runner-up in 1995.
 
Baruth especially remembers his senior season in 1995 where he set meet records in the Discus at the Corn Palace Relays in Mitchell, at the Bauer Invitational at SDSM&T, and at the Hastings Invitational. Also during his senior year, Baruth had the fourth best throw in the nation heading into the NAIA National Meet. He was a Gold Medalist in the Discus with the NAIA National Team in Barcelona, Spain, in 1995.
 
In 2010, Rob and Melissa Baruth created the Rob and Melissa Baruth Track Scholarship in order to continue to provide opportunities for future generations of Hardrockers.