The late 1970's and early 1980's marked the most successful era in the history of Guelph Gryphons women's Nordic Skiing. Kelly Rogers was the driving force behind that success. Rogers enters the Gryphon Athletics Hall of Fame after a standout, four-year career on the ski trails with the Gryphon Nordic team from 1979-80 to 1982-83.
As a rookie in 1979-80, Rogers was a key part of a Gryphon team that would go on to capture the OUA team title, which to this date remains the lone Nordic Skiing conference title in program history. In the process, Rogers earned Second Team All-Star status as a rookie, helping the Gryphons overtake perennial powers Carleton to claim the OWIAA banner. For Rogers, the memorable rookie year on the trails closed out a two-sport season after she also competed with the U of G women's cross country team. In her second season, Kelly Rogers would reach the pinnacle of her sport, finishing first overall at the OWIAA Nordic Skiing Championships to claim the title of women's overall champion, while leading her team to a 2nd-place finish in the final team standings. The following year, Rogers would repeat as the women's overall champion.
To this day, she remains the only Gryphons women's Nordic athlete to ever be named the OUA overall champion on multiple occasions. For her outstanding accomplishments in her sport, Kelly was named the University of Guelph's Female Athlete of the Year in 1981-82. Her decorated varsity skiing career would come to a close the following year with yet another podium finish in 1982-83 where she led her team to a bronze medal in the final team standings while also finishing 3rd overall in the individual standings.
Team Honours:
Nordic Skiing Team Captain - 1980, 81, 82
Most Outstanding Skier - 1980, 81, 82
University Honours:
Female Athlete of the Year - 1982
Most Outstanding Skier - 1980, 81, 82
Honour Award - 1982
Conference Honours:
Nordic Skiing:
Individual:
- OWIAA First Team All-Star - 1980, 81, 82
- OWIAA Second Team All-Star - 1979
- OWIAA gold medal - 1980
- OWIAA gold medal - 1981
- OWIAA bronze medal - 1982
Team:
- OWIAA gold medal - 1979
- OWIAA silver medal - 1980
- OWIAA silver medal - 1981
- OWIAA gold medal (Relays) – 1981
- OWIAA bronze medal - 1982
