Two-time NCAA champion Camryn Rogers dominated the Pac-12 field in front of family and friends. Photo by Kevin Neri
Family, friends and teammates of two-time NCAA champion and Olympic finalist Camryn Rogers lined up on the ramp across from Hayward Field’s hammer field Friday afternoon with a Canadian flag draped over the rail. They watched as Rogers won her third Pac-12 title in the women’s hammer.
The weather conditions weren’t ideal. It was sprinkling through the entirety of the event.
“The ring here is very, very fast, like very slippy,” said Anna Purchase, who finished second.
Rogers, a University of California Berkeley senior, won the title with her third throw of 241 feet, 10 inches, beating her teammate, Purchase, by 15 feet. Purchase finished second for the Bears with a distance of 226-1.
In addition, teammate Rebecca Tomann placed sixth, which gave Cal a total of 21 points from the event.
“We did everything that we could to prepare and practice so that when we came here there was no thinking about it, there was no hesitation,” said Rogers. “It was just getting in there and getting it done.”
Rogers talked about the importance of keeping everything the same during competition, even in tough conditions. No drastic changes.
Purchase, who is in her second year of the program, said Rogers was one of the main reasons she chose Cal’s track and field program.
“She throws far. I’m trying to throw as far as I can,” said Purchase. “And if we’re in the same program, theoretically we’re both going to keep improving.”
With Covid-19 restrictions being lessened over the past year, Rogers’ mom, Shari Rogers, was able to make the trip down from Vancouver, Canada.
“I feel a bit emotional because it’s her last one. But she finished strong,” said Shari Rogers. “It’s nice to be here and see her be successful again.”
