On a hot September morning at the Mizzou XC Opener in 2022, Drew Rogers crossed the finish line for the first time in his collegiate career as a promising freshman in a new program. Three years later, at the same meet, he returned as a winner, touching first with a blazing time of 14:48.1.
A standout, seven-time state champion in both cross country and track and field at Herscher High School, he was born Feb. 26, 2004, in Kankakee, Ill., to Daryl and Jenny and has two sisters, Mady and Laney.
Following
his notable prep career, Rogers announced his commitment to Mizzou on July 29, 2021, before graduating in 2022. During his senior year, he recorded two stellar personal bests of 14:29.0 in the three mile and 15:25.9 in the 5,000 meters.
“Drew was the first athlete I met when I got here,” Levermore said. “I was technically his coach when he won the US under 20 title in 2023, as a freshman, but he was the young star when I got the job here.”
Early Promise
On the track, Rogers’ rise from 2023 through 2025 tells the story of an athlete moving from elite youth success into top-tier SEC contention. In 2023, he was already competing at a national level, capturing the USATF U20 5,000-meter outdoor title and establishing himself as one of the strongest under-20 distance runners in the country.
“I think any coach that steps into a new program in this day and age in college, is going to tell you, there’s no guarantee anyone’s going to stay when you get there,” Levermore said. “He didn’t transfer, he didn’t question anything he’s been through, has done everything without questioning a single thing since the day I got here, and I think at the same time, he shared the passion that I have for this program, and so, yeah, he means a lot to me.”
Transition Period to Dominance
The following year, he adapted even more with his running abilities, earning All-SEC Second Team honors in cross country while also landing a spot on the All-Midwest Regional team, signaling his growing presence in NCAA racing.
By 2025, that progression turned into dominance. Rogers became an Indoor SEC Champion in the 3,000 meters, and clocked a 13:41.63 at the Virginia Challenge in the men’s 5,000 meters to set a new No. 1 program record at Missouri.
“The first fall I coached him, he just had a horrible SEC championship, like he wanted it so badly,” Levermore said. “And that whole season it just didn’t ever fully click coming off his freshman year, which is my first fall here. And he stepped off the course, he was in tears, just so frustrated, and I said to him, I was like, ‘Look, dude, it’s not going to be perfect all the time, but I’m going to figure this out, and we’re going to figure this out together.’ And you know, 15 months later, he won an SEC title.”
Rogers Shines in 2026
Rogers’ upward trajectory continued into 2026, where he elevated his legacy even further, earning additional All-SEC First Team recognition and capturing the SEC Indoor Championships mile title in 4:02.42. He also broke the Missouri indoor 3,000-meter program record with a 7:48.11 on February 13, 2026, and earlier set the No. 3 all-time indoor mile mark at 4:00.33 at the Dr. Rick McGuire Invitational.
“He just grew,” distance coach Tanner Anderson said. “And the biggest thing that I saw is also a shift in his mentality. I hope I can win, too. I’m going to win, and I think the biggest thing is his own belief in himself is so high that if he’s anywhere near the finish with a lead group, he’s going to win.”
Across each season, Rogers has evolved from a promising freshman into one of the defining distance performers in Missouri program history.
Mentorship
Beyond his stellar results on the track, Rogers has been a reliant teammate, one that strives for the success of the whole team, rather than just himself.
“He’s my mentor and he was telling me that if you’re running, take it as training and don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself,” Elijah Limo said. “He’s a good guy, [who’s] usually encouraging me.”
Alongside his connection with Limo, Rogers and teammate Ryder James came to Mizzou together, and their connection has flourished.
“I think the story of him and Ryder James is one that can’t get overlooked,” Levermore said. “They were high school rivals, but also really good friends, and they wanted to come here together. And I’ve watched him be a support system provider. I’ve watched Ryder be a support system for him as, like, really close friends. And I think, you know, in different times, in their journeys, they’ve both had to lean on each other.”
A Stellar Career Not Over
Rogers has made a huge impact on both cross country and track & field for Mizzou, breaking school program records and building connections with his staff and teammates. Although this is not his last year, his impact over these four years has to be recognized.
“I’m really glad I have another year with him next year, because I think he’s been the heart and soul of what this program has been built on for the last three years, ” Levermore said. “And at the same time, he’s been one of our highest performers.”
Rogers will hopefully continue his outdoor season starting with the SEC Outdoor Championships Thursday through Saturday, May 14-16. Through the postseason, he will be able to showcase his talent as he has done in past years at a much higher level.
With records broken and memories made, Rogers has experienced it all and will continue to impress Tiger fans on and off the track.
To read more about Missouri’s Track and Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLA on twitter/X.
