AHS’ Rodriguez wins state in powerlifting

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communicaitons Specialist

Jose Rodriguez is likely to be the most accomplished powerlifter in the history of Athens High School. This past Saturday in Abilene, Rodriguez lifted a total of 1,145 pounds to become the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Division 2 State Champion in the 132-pound weight class.

“He’s probably the most decorated powerlifter in Athens High School history,” said head powerlifting coach Craig Brown. “He’s a four-time state qualifier; he’s the regional record holder in two different weight classes for benchpress; a two-time medal winner and a state champion.”

In addition to winning in his class, Rodriguez also executed the top bench press in the light platform, which encompasses all the weight classes from 165-pounds and under, and was honored with a plaque for that achievement. He benched 285 pounds, squatted 455, and deadlifted 405.

Rodriguez came in sixth at state his first two years and was third last year. The biggest challenge he faced this year was moving up a weight class from 123 to 132.

“If he had been able to stay at 123, he would have walked through the meet,” said Brown. “We knew it would be tough going in. … He was the lightest 132 (weight class) kid there. He weighed in at 127.”

Rodriguez was absolutely determined to win. “I knew it was going to be a real fight between first and second,” he said. “I wasn’t walking away without that first-place medal.”

The deciding lift was the last one on the last round. “Jose was rather calm,” said Brown. “Me on the other hand, I was wanting to do backflips.”

“I was pretty excited,” said Rodriguez. “I just don’t tend to show it very much.”

Rodriguez said he trained smarter this season, not more. In past years, he would train three to four hours, five days a week and sometimes more. This time, he stuck to about an hour a day. “I let my body recover more, but the weight training was heavier and more strenuous than it had been in the past.”

Rodriguez’s regional records for bench press are 265 pounds for the 123-pound weight class, and 305 pounds for the 132-pound weight class. As a student in the Pinnacle Early College High School program, he is on track to earn an associate’s degree from Trinity Valley Community College shortly before graduating from Athens High School on June 5. He hopes to continue to lift in college.