By Nate Mann
Her last race at Hayward Field won the Triple Crown for the University of Oregon women. Her most recent professional race, a sprint-medley at the Penn Relays, set the new world record. Friday’s meet record victory and a personal best in the 400-meter dash at Oregon Twilight was written in the stars for Raevyn Rogers.
Born on Sept. 7, Rogers is a daily reader of the Virgo horoscope. For May 4, the day of the Twilight, it read, “You take your responsibilities to heart and therefore won’t declare it’s the weekend until you’ve met all your obligations.”
For her, winning in front of a crowd that cheered her on the past three years was the obligation. Rogers beat the previous meet record of 52.62 seconds set by Maria Mutola in 1998 with a personal-best time of 52.06.
“Sometimes horoscopes are really spot on,” Rogers said. “I also consider it just a little guidance from God, a little note here and there, some motivation.”
But the unfamiliar life of a professional runner overwhelms Rogers.
As well as representing Nike on the track, she continues to take classes toward an art major and pursue an entry into the university’s Spring Storm art show in June. She describes all of this as “a more intense blend of student-athlete life.”
Rogers manages her numerous tasks using to-do lists. After checking off classes and a nearly-forgotten meeting about Spring Storm Friday morning, she shifted her focus Friday afternoon to the Oregon Twilight meet.
Rogers started the 400 strong, leading the pack of seven racers after 200 meters. Oregon’s Rachel Vinjamuri chased Rogers but fell off as two-time 800-meter world indoor champion Francine Niyonsaba of the Oregon Track Club Elite moved into second.
Niyonsaba, who also won silver in the 800 at the 2016 Olympics, couldn’t catch Rogers, finishing second in her professional 400-meter debut with a time of 53.48 seconds. The two elite runners will compete again in three weeks at the Prefontaine Classic in the 800. Niyonsaba isn’t worried about her potential competition.
“When I run, I just push myself. I don’t run with people,” she said. “I know what I need to do.”
The Prefontaine Classic is scheduled for May 25-26. Between now and then, Niyonsaba will focus solely on training. Rogers, on the other hand, plans to compete in the Adidas Boost Boston Games May 19-20.
For now, she will revel in yet another victory on Hayward Field.
“Today felt good, just being able to run and really showcase the work I’ve been doing in front of the home crowd on another level,” Rogers said. “Having that growth there so everyone can be a part of that really meant a lot to me.”
