By MARIO AGUIRRE | STAFF WRITER
As the wrestling program at Sharyland Pioneer takes its lumps in Year 2, sophomore Dominique Rodriguez has emerged as a bright spot.
The 170-pound wrestler has amassed a 25-4 record, including a 4-1 run at the Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association’s state dual championship last week in Bryan.
With improved strength and conditioning, Rodriguez has enjoyed a breakout year in which he finds himself in better control of situations where he freelances. Coach Richard Eckley lauded the sophomore for his poise and assertiveness on the mat, saying the sophomore generally takes the first shot of the match but at the same time “doesn’t try to do too much out there.”
All summer, Rodriguez was a regular participant at open mats, and began to adjust to his new weight class, up from the 160-pound division. Eckley said he expects Rodriguez to win district and qualify for state, given how he wrestled at the duals championships a week ago.
Last year, Rodriguez finished third at district and went 0-2 at regionals.
Though he initially struggled in his new weight class, Rodriguez has since grown accustomed to facing older, stronger wrestlers.
The turning point, Eckley said, came during the Snakebite Invitational a month ago. Where Rodriguez might have initially had a 50/50 chance of winning scramble situations, he now flourishes in those moments.
“Now he wins every one of those situations,” Eckley said. “He’s incredibly focused. He’s a competitor, but he’s a really fun kid to be around. Honestly, he never rests. That’s why he’s in such good shape. Even during the break, he’s still out there, rolling around, wrestling.”
Eckley said he couldn’t recall whether Rodriguez won any matches last year on based on points. Typically, Rodriguez would tire by the third period after trying to squeeze his opponents the first two sets. Now, he does a better job of leveraging his weight against his opponents, while grabbing ankles and wrists.
“That’s what’s keeping him fresh in the third period,” Eckley said. “He’s using technique instead of muscle.
“There’s a saying that the first period goes to the technician, the second to the wrestler that’s in shape and the third to the person with the biggest heart. And his heart has grown several sizes this year. … With how much he cares about the sport, I’m not surprised by the type of year he’s having.”
RELIABLE ALOUETTE
At 20-0, Rio Grande City’s Alouette Gonzalez (102) is on pace for another undefeated year.
Last season, Gonzalez didn’t pick up her first loss until the state championship, where she finished third. Should she qualify again, it would mark the fourth consecutive trip for the reigning district and regional champion.
“She’s the same ol’ Alouette,” coach Ronald Pratt said. “If you knew her in the past, you’d know you’re not missing much. She’s the same person, just a little bit older and a little bit wiser on the mat.”
The difference this year is mat awareness. Where in past years Gonzalez might have had her opponent on their back out of bounds, the senior is now more cognizant of where she stands and where her opponents need to be in order to secure pins.
Pratt said Gonzalez added muscle during the offseason, without adding much weight. She’s currently at 97 pounds, and intends to compete in the 95-pound division.
All year, Pratt has preached patience, encouraging his wrestlers to wait for their opponents to tire and make self-inflicted mistakes. It’s helped the Lady Rattlers amass a 10-3 record this year, after beating Donna North 54-6 on Thursday.
TOURNAMENT TIME
The District 16-5A duals competition will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday at Sharyland Pioneer.
Thirteen boys team and 13 girls teams, mostly from the upper-Valley, are scheduled to compete. It’s the first time Pioneer hosts the event.