Four years, four weight classes and four District Championships later, senior Tristan Rodriguez finally accomplished his end goal – making it to the State Championship.
With tough competition from across the state, Rodriguez’s high school career came to a close at the Berry Center on Feb. 13. Rodriguez finished 10th place in the 157-pound weight class and was eliminated in the consolation bracket after going 1-2.
“It’s a blessing,” Rodriguez said. “God has given me a gift and hopefully I can prosper and use it wisely. Hopefully I’ll go to college and wrestle my butt off. It means the world.”
Before making it to the State Championship, Rodriguez earned a place in the record books as the only boy in the Kingwood Park program to win four District Championships. He won in the 126-pound weight class his freshman year, 132-pound weight class his sophomore year, 144-pound weight class his junior year and in the 157-pound weight class his senior year.
He also placed 3rd at the Region Meet this year, which was his second time placing. Last year, he was a State alternate after finishing 5th at Regionals.
“He leaves a lasting impact as one of the top wrestlers in the history of our program,” coach Jeff Knight said. “He led by example of putting in the work as far as technique and increasing his strength each year.”
Rodriguez’s work throughout this past year paid off during the first round of the State Championships. Rodriguez won his first match by major decision against Weslaco East senior Giancarlo Diaz. During his second match, he lost by a fall to Argyle junior Collin Gates. He also lost 12-3 his third match to Grapevine junior Ryan Pauken.
“In my opinion he actually outwrestled his opponent but his two takedowns were called out of bounds by inches,” Knight said. “His round three match was very similar, very close and he had two takedowns not called by the official that were very close, one because the guy hit the scorer’s table. So very close matches that could have gone either way against top wrestlers.”
Rodriguez faced challenges with injuries during his third match by reinjuring his foot. He had previously injured it in January and competed through the injury. In those close matches, his experience with pushing through the mental challenge helped him compete.
The support he had from fellow wrestlers helped him as well. Senior Noah Sayre helped him warm up prior to his matches. Also supporting Rodriguez was senior Evan Moore and also state alternates senior Elijah Lester and sophomore Aaliyah Castillo.
Even with the losses Rodriguez faced at the meet, he was happy with how far he made it. After four years, Rodriguez officially left his name among the other state qualifiers on the wall in the mat room.
“It means the world,” Rodriguez said. “I have a lot of support – friends, family, teachers – and I definitely don’t want to let anybody down and I don’t think I did. Especially with the position I was at with my foot. So, I mean people don’t really care if you win or lose as long as you get out there and give it your best. So that’s what I did.”
