Q&A WITH CAMERON RODGERS: Durfee track and field star steps into the Sports Spotlight

NAME: Cameron Rodgers

SCHOOL/YEAR OF GRADUATION: BMC Durfee High School/2019

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: cam_erelli

SPORTS: Track and field, football

Whether he's going over hurdles or Fosbury flopping over the high jump bar, Durfee High senior Cameron Rodgers has a habit of excelling. He came to Fall River from North Carolina for his sophomore year with raw talent and an extraordinary work ethic. By the end of his sophomore year in outdoor track, Rodgers had qualified for the Eastern Massachusetts Division 1 Championships in both of his top events, the 400-meter hurdles and the high jump, setting a Durfee sophomore 400 hurdles record of 59.45 in the process. As a junior, he qualified for state Division 1 in 55-meter hurdles and high jump. Last spring, at the end of his junior year, the 6-foot-2 Rodgers took seventh place in in the 400 hurdles at Division 1 and followed that with 13th place at the All State Meet with a school record 56.79. Most recently, Rodgers in this indoor season qualified for D1 states in the long jump, high jump and hurdles, and at the Big 3 Conference Championships, he set a school 55-meter hurdles record (7.91) and high jumped 6 feet, 2 inches, though injuring an ankle in the process. Operating on the sore ankle, Rodgers still managed seventh place in high jump at D1 states. Rodgers started his senior year as part of the cross country team but, with football struggling with numbers, he traded his running shoes for a helmet and shoulder pads. A kidney injury suffered during footall delayed his start in winter track but he made up for lost time and will be competing in the pentathlon on Feb. 26. "The number one thing I can say about Cam as a coach," Durfee boys' track and field coach Corey Sleep wrote in an email, "is that he never backs down from a challenge. And every big meet he has ever had he has not only got a PR (personal record) but thrives under the pressure never beating himself up along the way."

Want to know more about this pleasant Hilltopper? Then read his Q&A.

Herald News: What person, living or dead, do you most admire and why?

CR: Since freshman year I really admired one of my favorite artists Lil Uzi Vert. I'm really drawn to his style of rapping. I've always loved music but never really had a favorite artist until I listened to him. His style really helped me find the type music I really like.

HN: Who is your favorite professional athlete and why?

CR: My favorite athlete would definitely be Cam Newton. I'm from North Carolina and I'm a big Panthers fan. He's been my favorite athlete since middle school. He is very exiting to watch in my opinion.

HN: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

CR: I see myself with a job that I enjoy. I hope that I would still be able to do track and still be healthy.

HN: What has been your biggest moment as a high school athlete?

CR: I think finishing 13th in the state for the 400 hurdles. I never thought I would be able to accomplish that but my coaches really guided me and made sure I would be in the best shape to do that.

HN: When not playing high school sports, how do you spend your time?

CR: I mainly spend my time gaming. I go home after practice and play Black Ops 4 or any other mainstream shooter game that's out.

HN: If you were the principal of your school, what one change would you make?

CR: I'd make the school day shorter.

HN: What do you hope people will say about you when your playing days are over?

CR: I hope people would say that I was talented but that I didn't just stay with that one talent. I want them to say I branched out or expanded my talent to other things to succeed.

HN: What is your favorite subject in school and why?

CR: I would say history because Ive always excelled in it.

HN: If you won a million dollars, what would be your first purchase?

CR: I'd probably buy a house.

HN: Tell us something most people don't know about you.

CR: Most people don't know that I used to be cross eyed when I was younger but I had Lasik eye surgery to correct it.

HN: What is your favorite dinner meal?

CR: I love hot wings and french fries.

HN: What is your favorite book?

CR: Enders Game.

HN: What is your favorite video game?

CR: Almost every "Call of Duty" game.

HN: How long could you function without your smart phone?

CR: A very long time. I never got a phone until high school and before that I functioned perfectly. I'd say I functioned a lot better when I didn't have a phone to be honest.

HN: Whom in this world would you most like to hit in the face with a pie?

CR: My little brother Micayl. I love him to death but he gets on my very last nerve.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.