Camryn Rogers
TRACK AND FIELD SCHOOL: R.A. McMath (Richmond) FRESHMAN’S FUTURE: California-Berkeley
When Camryn Rogers discovered her athletic calling in the hammer throw, it took very little time at all to notice had the gift of raw strength on her side.
Yet, as part of a record-breaking run that has identified her as one of Canada’s future Olympic hopefuls in the event, it has been a keen level of perspective that’s allowed her to not only achieve the big numbers, but to handle the success that comes with them.
In 2016, at the age of 16, the McMath Secondary sensation broke both the Canadian youth and junior records with one mighty throw — her 59.73-metre effort opening eyes across the continent.
And over the near-year it took for Rogers to surpass that mark with a new personal best?
That’s where her perspective and maturity has shone brightest with concerted daily effort, turning routine into ritual and trusting in her process.
“I haven’t been surprised in the sense of the distance that she has been throwing,” said her coach, Kajaks’ throwing guru Garrett Collier after the 2016 high school season.
“But what has surprised me is that she has taken ownership as a thrower at such a young age. You can have all of the tools and all of the talent, but every teenager has some level of self doubt.”
Rogers is certainly not exempt from all of that, but she’s proven to herself that engaging in the daily battle is where it all begins.
This season, 322 days after breaking two national records, she set a personal best at 61.01 metres, then six weeks later, broke it again at 61.50.
Earlier this month, she repeated as B.C. high school champion in both the hammer and the shot put.
And come this September, she will begin a collegiate throwing career in the Pac 12 for the California Golden Bears.
With her athletic aspirations seemingly pointing her toward one day representing her country at the Olympics, and academic leanings suggesting a potential career in law, Rogers loves the feel of being pulled toward her goals by a central, centrifugal force.
Ahh, you were thinking of the hammer throw’s ball-and-chain?
Yes, but for her, there is one even more powerful.
“There is only so much you can do on your own,” she says. “You look back to your family and friends and they pick you up when you are down. If I’ve ever doubted my abilities, they have been there for me. My support network means everything to me.”