Oregon’s Raevyn Rogers had quite the day at the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Competing in the 800, the true freshman was able to win the title by crossing the line in 1:59.71. That time is the fourth fastest in school history. After the event Rogers took time to speak with members of the media about the excitement of her individual win and helping the Ducks claim the team title.
Congratulations, you guys won the team title, how does it feel?
It feels amazing. I’m so blessed to be a part of this team and to have an amazing coach and supporters. Everything has been great.
When you came in did you expect this is how you would cap your freshman year?
At the beginning of the season our coach asked us to record in a notebook what we wanted to accomplish. At first writing down accomplishing Pac-12s in August and winning Nationals in August, I was a little nervous. But I somehow figured to write it down.
What was your mindset today?
I really had to stay focused and in control of my race. I had to trust my coach because he gave me a race strategy and I just had to relax and run my race. He told me instead of going at the steeplechase like in prelims, to go after the steeplechase because there was a little more competition.
Did the Clemson runner jumping out ahead throw you at all?
I just had to focus on myself. With good competitors like that you just have to trust in your race.
What was going through your head when you crossed the finish line?
I was so excited because it happened. I prayed about it, I almost threw up twice before my race — super nervous. The fact that it happened, I was just blessed and God really worked with me this whole year. Coaches and my team were all really supportive.
What about the sub-two?
I still can’t believe that happened. I just wanted to win; I was going to accept whatever. I wasn’t aiming for 1:59, I was just happy it came with me trying to focus on myself.
Were you following the team race with the DQ in the relay?
Our team has each other’s back. I just wanted to give back the happiness to those girls; they worked their butts off. Those are my teammates, those are my sisters, and I want to work hard for them.
When Jenna Prandini won the 100, did that reinvigorate everybody?
I was in the warm-up tent, so excited for her. Jenna is a really good leader and role model; I just tried to focus on having the same ethics she has.
Did you have a sense of how loud it was?
Oh I felt it … it was a roar. It just lifted me up, and I was like ‘ok, just get to the finish line.’ You know when the crowd starts roaring its either bad or its good. I was just trying to get to the finish line to see which it was.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur