Derek Thompson and Angel Rodriguez are headed to the UIL 5A State track meet this weekend, enthusiastic to show themselves and their opponents how great they truly are.
Here’s a little about each athlete:
Last year, Derek Thompson’s track season was unceremonious. The junior was plagued by an ankle injury that sidelined him all year. As such, he never got the opportunity to compete, which deprived him of an outlet to showcase his ability and the chance to continue the Pioneer tradition of throwing excellence set by his older brother Evan. Derek loves his brother but was determined to eclipse his accomplishments when he returned.
“My goal this season was to beat my brother’s records, and I achieved that this year. But if it weren’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be in this sport at all, so I owe it all to him,” Thompson said.
Thompson did not waver in his commitment to his craft when he was sidelined. After reaching regionals during his sophomore year, he’d gotten a taste of success and was eager to reclaim what his injuries had taken away. He worked relentlessly to rehab his injuries and come back even stronger than before.
“I came out the gate my freshman season, making regionals in the shot put, beating out all these seniors and juniors to get there, then (I) watched everybody pass me up the sophomore season, and that made me upset. So, I’m glad to be back on top,” Thompson said.
Not only did he achieve his goal, but he shattered all expectations and set tremendous marks in the shot put and discus. Thompson won district and area championships in both events and claimed 2nd place in the discus to pair with his first-place shot put finish at regionals. With marks of 60 + feet and 185 + feet in the shot and discus, Thompson ranks among the nation’s elite high school throwers. At the UIL 5A IV Regional meet, Thompson catapulted the shot put, won gold with a remarkable throw of 64’4, and bookended that performance in the discus for silver with a final throw of 179 feet, which is 10 feet less than the 189’10 mark he set at the RGVCA Meet of Champions.
“At regionals, I just did what I’m used to—not overthink it, not go for PR. Just walk in with confidence and do what I do. I found that if you just let your body do the work and don’t try to muscle the throw or try harder than you usually do, you’ll have the best results,” Thompson said about his state qualifying performance.
Anything can happen at the state meet. Thompson knows this too well. However, he doesn’t assume that success is inevitable; instead, he works daily to make his dreams a reality. Thompson doesn’t just want to compete; he wants to be the greatest.
“I still haven’t achieved what I wanted for high school. I want to be the best thrower ever to walk the valley and state, and set both valley records and the state discus record before my high school career ends,” Thompson said.
Everyone in the RGV track world knows who Angel Rodriguez is. If you ask anyone who the best athlete in the valley is, they’d say it’s him. Not only is he one of the best 400m runners in the state of Texas, but he’s also one of the best long jumpers in the country and currently holds the Valley record in that event after his monstrous performance at the Area meet last month where he jumped 24 feet nine inches. This year, Rodriguez is back in Austin, Texas, ready to claim gold in the 400-meter dash after claiming silver at the UIL 5A IV Regional Meet with a time of 48.14.
Rodriguez astounded spectators this year as he set the all-time Valley record in the long jump at last month’s Area Meet Championships. Rodriguez’s progression toward that mountaintop was arduous, but it wasn’t something he doubted he could do.
“I know how to compete under pressure, and I take pride in representing South Texas at a high level,” Rodriguez said when asked about his record-breaking performance.
Although Rodriguez’s jumping season didn’t end as he wanted it to, he finds redemption in the 400m dash, using every stride at every practice as preparation for the most important race of his life.
“Missing out on stage this year hurts. It was a wake-up call. I’ve used that frustration as fuel for the 400. I’m training harder, focusing more on recovery, and dialing in every detail, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez pushes himself to be great in honor of his family and their sacrifices, making him the athlete and person he is today.
“My family is my biggest motivation. They’ve supported me through everything, from injuries to long nights of training. I want to make them proud and show them their sacrifices weren’t for nothing. I push myself because I know what I’m capable of. I’ve set high standards and am determined to reach them no matter what it takes,” Rodriguez said.
The cameras are ready to roll, and Rodriguez is on center stage. He’ll lace his spikes up one last time today, desperate to make the one minute he spends on the track eternal.
“I’m proud to be back in the state, and I believe I stack up well against the best. I respect my competition, but I’m confident in my speed, strength, and heart. I belong in that conversation. Expect passion, focus, and a competitor who’s ready to leave it all on the track. I’m not just showing up... Click here to read full article
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