When Bend, Oregon native
Anna Rodgers moved to Spokane, Washington, she decided to try out track with a friend. The long jump quickly became her passion.
"Long jump kind of fell in my lap … fits me and my personality. I think throwing myself into sand just kind of feels right," Rodgers said.
The long jump, however, was not her only passion. Rodgers is equally gifted at her class work as she is at lunging long distances into a sand pit.
For some, choosing a college major depends on how much free time they will have or if many tests are involved. But for
Anna Rodgers, psychology is personal. Rodger's family is heavily involved in the stem field. Rodger's mother has worked for her entire career in mental health therapy, and her sister always showed a natural proclivity towards the biomedical sciences and forensics.
Getting young girls involved in the STEM field at a young age can build their confidence in a field where they are the minority, which is another reason why Rodgers is so passionate about neurosciences and psychology.
Rodgers believes in showing elementary school kids that they have the potential to work in the STEM field even if they have not seen people who look like them do the same. Once Rodgers wraps her bachelor's degree this year, she will keep her focus on academia, pursuing her masters in neuroscience. Rodgers draws her inspiration from her sister, who was diagnosed with a mutation of the RET gene, responsible for providing instructions for producing a protein involved in signaling within cells. Her sister was the primary reason for Rodgers's constant desire to ask the 'why' and expand her understanding. The drive to understand how the world around her works will serve her well as she works her way through graduate school and athletics.
Being one of the top long jumpers in the Pac-12 requires commitment and focus to one's sport, but as Rodgers has learned, it is important to have interests outside of her sport. Staying grounded has been crucial to Rodger's success, which is why she is heavily involved with student organizations such as Black Student-Athlete Association.
"I fell into something beautiful," Rodgers said.
As president of the BSAA, she is incredibly proud of the work that she is doing with the WSU Black Student Union to create a safe community for students and allies in Pullman. The organization's success under Rodgers' leadership has allowed the Black Student-Athlete Association to help other universities set up their own organizations and grow. In the Summer of 2022, Rodgers was selected as one of 46 student-athletes from the Pac-12, ACC and Big 10, who traveled to the historic towns of Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, to visit historic civil rights landmarks while also partaking in a week-long educational experience. Her student-athlete reflection on the trip can be found
here.
Rodgers leadership skills are being put to use on the track as well. Rodgers is a seasoned veteran and leader on a newly evolving WSU track and field team. Rodgers and the Cougars' women's indoor track & field team are off to a great start on their 2022-23 schedule, with WSU's new coaching staff already helping the team reach record-breaking times through the first several weeks. The women's team is seated in 8th in the west region of the latest USTFCCCA Regional rankings.
"I definitely think both [Associate Head Track & Field Coack] Derick (Hinch) and [Assistant Track & Field Coach] Gabriel (Mvumvure) are eager and excited, and the two people that can bring the change… it's only positive things so far with the with them as new additions here," Rodgers said.
Rodgers is on the path to graduation, and along that path may be competing in the indoor and outdoor championships for track and field, allowing her to further etch her name into the Cougar history books.
