This week’s Q&A is with Moorestown High School senior Brianna Rogers. Rogers is the No. 1 runner on a Quakers team that is ranked No. 4 in Runningco.com’s Top 20. She has started the season with victories in the senior race at the Cherokee Challenge (Sept. 15) and in the 1-2 race at the South Jersey XC Shootout (last Saturday).

With two titles already, how are you feeling about the season right now?
My confidence is good right now, but I don’t want to get too confident. I won the Cherokee Challenge and the Shootout last year, but I peaked too early and didn’t run that well at the end of the season. I’m feeling comfortable, but I’m not expecting too much right now.  

With a half mile to go on Saturday, you sat in fourth and had some work to do in order to catch the leader. What was going through your head at that point in the race?
I really wasn’t sure what was going to happen. I told myself I wanted to win, but I didn’t know if I would have enough to catch the three in front of me. But then once I passed the first girl, I started to feel better and my stride started to open up. I just kept going and was able to get myself in the lead.

What are your individual goals for the season?
I definitely want to stay healthy the whole year. I would love to make it to the Meet of Champions. I also want to improve my Holmdel time. My PR there is only 20:06, so I definitely want to run faster than that.

What do think the team can accomplish this season?
I would love for the team to succeed at (Central Jersey Group 3) sectionals and make it to states. We’re running pretty well now, but we still have some work to do. If our top five can improve from where we are now, we could possibly make the Meet of Champs.

Do have a routine before big races?
I usually listen to mellow music like Jack Johnson and read magazines.

Do you have any plans for college yet?
I definitely want to run in college. I’m looking at a few Ivy League schools, as well as some others. I’m planning on going on a few official visits before I narrow it down.

What are your hobbies outside of running?
Rock climbing (at Vertical Reality in Maple Shade), reading and cooking.

What is your favorite workout to run?
I like when it’s just me and maybe one or two others out for like a 7-mile run at a pretty hard pace and everyone is feeling good.

What is your favorite cross country course?
I really like the Shootout course (at Gloucester County College). There’s a lot of variety on that course and there are some good hills.

What do you like best about cross country?
I love the camaraderie. Between summer training and the season, we spend so much time together going on runs and being at meets that we get to be real close.

What do you like best about running for coach John Denning?
He’s really easy-going. He never pushes us too hard because he’s always looking for us to peak at the right time of the season. He really cares about everyone on the team.

Who are the people who have had the most influence on your running career?
I would say my dad (George) and sister (Jessica, a 2006 graduate of Moorestown who now runs for Boston College). My dad has always pushed me whenever I’ve been lazy. My sister got me into the sport and I’ve worked hard to try and beat her times.

-As told to Kevin Cranston
-Photo compliments of Dennis Smyth
Sept. 27, 2007