Oregon track and field junior Raevyn Rogers has been named the Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, while associate head coach Curtis Taylor was awarded the honor of Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year, the organization announced on Wednesday. Rogers was also named a semifinalist for the Bowerman Award on Wednesday. Rogers earns the honor after a tremendous season that saw her win her third straight NCAA outdoor title at 800 meters and her fifth straight including indoors. Rogers continued her dominance in the 800 with a winning time of 2:00.02, helping to set the stage for her dramatics a couple hours later at the NCAA Championships. With the Ducks needing to win the 4×400 relay to win the national title and complete the first-ever Triple Crown in women’s NCAA Division I history, Rogers received the baton in the lead on the anchor leg. After being passed by USC’s Kendall Ellis, Rogers kicked with 200 meters remaining to take the lead and held off Ellis to win the relay title, secure the national championship and ensure the Triple Crown for the Ducks. Rogers’ terrific final leg also secured a new collegiate record for the Ducks in a blazing 3:23.13, with Rogers running the fastest split on the team at 49.77.
