Eagle Extra: R.J. Bogdan, Men's Track and Field
HUNTINGDON, Pa-Using running as a way to keep focused, student-athlete RJ Bogdan (Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius High School) has become an important member of Juniata College track and field. He earned First-Team All- Landmark Conference honors for his winning performance in the distance medley relay during the Indoor Track and Field Landmark Championship meet in February 2014. He also received Second-Team all-conference honors in cross country for his 10th place finish during league championships in the fall of 2013. His success as a student-athlete continues from the track to the classroom.
By: Rose Lucidi
Sports Information Intern
lucidrx10@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa-Using running as a way to keep focused, student-athlete R.J. Bogdan (Buffalo, N.Y. / Canisius High School) has become an important member of Juniata College track and field. He earned First-Team All- Landmark Conference honors for his winning performance in the distance medley relay during the Indoor Track and Field Landmark Championship meet in February 2014. He also received Second-Team all-conference honors in cross country for his 10th place finish during league championships in the fall of 2013. His success as a student-athlete continues from the track to the classroom.
Bogdan found Juniata because of his mother reading the book "Colleges That Change Lives" by Loren Pope. He considered following in his brother into the Naval Academy, but chose Juniata.
"I have been interested in the military since I was in high school, and it is something I am really passionate about pursuing," said Bogdan. "But Juniata allowed me to do the sciences that I love and that is where my heart is and where it will always be."
Bogdan spends most of his free time in a lab. If he is not doing research, he enjoys playing video games, league of legends, and he participates in as many club sports as he can.
With an equal emphasis placed on both running and academics, attending an NCAA Division III college is what helps Bogdan succeed.
"Playing at the Division III level allows me to enjoy running without the extra pressure that I feel would be there if I participated at a Division I school."
He plans of using his degree in chemistry with a secondary emphasis in biology to attend graduate school and then join the military. He is currently using his studies to do research within the chemistry department.
"I am working on creating reaction intermediates for their possible use in drug synthesis," said Bogdan. "Hopefully there will be a paper eventually, but as of right now, I enjoy doing what I am doing."
Rapid Fire:
Favorite band/artist?
Hyperbits.
Favorite shoes?
Kenneth Cole.
Favorite item in your dorm room?
Laptop.
One thing you couldn't go a day without?
Chocolate chip cookies.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Malcolm X. His speeches are amazing.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Back to Poland. It is so beautiful there.
If you could be any animal (car, vegetable, etc.), what would you be and why?
A Koloa.
If you could be an Olympic athlete (in anything other than your sport) what would it be?
Speed Skating.
Favorite class at Juniata College?
Intermediate Inorganic.
Favorite place in Huntingdon?
Sheetz.
Favorite Juniata Tradition?
Mountain Day.
Favorite athletic experience at JC?
Connor Robinson breaking two minutes in the 800. Coach Cutright was on the verge of tears and Connor looked like he was going to die. It was just great to watch.
If you could trade places with one JC athlete, who would it be and why?
Frank Marin for the football team. He is a gentle giant. He is an amazing and great overall guy.
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