AUBURN, Ala. - Going to high school with your brother or sister is enough for most siblings, but not the Rogers brothers. Auburn natives, Jack and Evan Rogers attended Auburn High School where they were members of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Now, the brothers are back together on the same track, Jack a junior and Evan a freshman on Auburn's Cross Country and Track and Field teams.
Everyone knows that younger siblings try their hardest to be better than their older sibling, and that was Evan. Evan followed in Jack's footsteps. Whether it was recreational basketball, travel soccer or cross country, Evan had to compete with his older brother. Both men admit to being competitive with each other which also fostered a close relationship.
"I think it challenges both of us to keep working hard and encouraging each other," Jack said.
In the spring of 2017 at the state championship meet, Jack and Evan competed against each other in the 1600. Evan describes this meet as a 'break out' meet for him as he finished third in the event, while Jack crossed the line in first with a new PR. Wearing the same uniform and competing together helped catapult them to big performances.
"Watching one son hand off to another in a 4x800 relay at the state championship meet was a neat experience," their father, Brian Rogers said.
Whether on the track or off, the brothers have each other's backs. The transition to college can be difficult in the classroom and on the track, but Evan is lucky enough to already have his big brother here in Auburn.
Jack describes his younger brother as being "funny, hardworking, and intentional," a person people are excited to be around. On the other hand, Evan says Jack is the quiet one of the two but is still incredibly passionate.
"He's also super eager to learn new stuff which is why he can play piano or take crazy photos all at the same time," Evan said.
Evan is happy to have Jack to bounce questions off of, as well as help with the transition to new training and lifestyle. Throughout the journey the two are on together, they look forward to maintaining and continuing to grow their already close relationship.
Cross Country Coach David Barnett believes that being comfortable around your teammates is a huge factor developing a strong team dynamic.
Auburn Cross Country brothers Jack (glasses) and Evan Rogers on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 in Auburn, Ala.Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
"Jack and Evan are different and independent people but they both bring great qualities to the group," Barnett said.
Both began the 2019 season at the JSU Strut Invitational at Jacksonville State University, where Evan finished 18th and Jack was 26th over the 5k course. Continuing to push each other, the elder Rogers got the better of his younger brother, as Jack has been Auburn's third and fourth finisher at the most recent meets, the Commodore Classic and Joe Piane Invitational At the same meets, Evan has crossed the finish line as the Tigers' fifth scorer.
"Jack had a great sophomore season and he has picked up where he left off during his junior campaign," Barnett said. "Evan is making a smooth transition from high school, especially considering he's making adjustments for longer workouts and races."
Jack believes that a key to their success on and off the track has been their close relationship. They know each other's strengths and weaknesses, so they are able to help each other in any situation. Most are not lucky enough to have that one person that always knows what to say on the same team all these years.
"We have been doing workouts on the same track since high school and have been through all kinds of situations together over the years," Jack said.
Neither thought they would be back on the same track after high school and let alone the same college right up the road. Evan did not think that he would land in the same place as his older brother but is happy he did.
"Jack has been someone I looked up to in high school and now in college as someone with a really amazing work ethic through running and school," Evan said.
The two did everything together growing up, all the way down to sharing a room until Jack was a junior. Thus, when Jack went off to college, Evan was on his own. Evan finds it a "little odd" seeing his brother everyday again, after limited contact the past year.
Both knew Auburn University was the place for them. Jack liked Auburn's rich history of tradition, success and high academic standard. While Evan has always been a fan and knew this was the place where he fit in.
"Jack knew from the get-go that he wanted to go to Auburn," Angela Rogers, their mother, said.
While on the other hand, Evan "was interested in exploring several school options. After the official visit to Auburn, he made up his mind before he left campus," Brian said.
Barnett is excited with the potential of the group this season. Every season brings in new levels of excitement, and eagerness to improve. Barnett comments that both, Jack and Evan, are hardworking and coachable.
"Jack has certainly checked all the boxes for what a coach would want in a student-athlete. He is focused and hardworking both on the track and in the classroom. Some runners are very nervous to push their limits, but Evan has been willing to do what it takes to improve," Barnett said.
Sticking together has been and will be important heading into the remainder of the 2019 cross country season and then into the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. The Rogers brothers and the rest of the Tigers distance crew will be back in action at the Southeastern Conference Championships, Nov. 1 in Lexington, Ky.