Record Breaker: Pioneer’s Rodriguez sets new Valley best, advances to regional meet

MISSION 一 Sharyland Pioneer’s Angel Rodriguez has dreamt of setting records since he began competing in track and field at the age of seven. 

Last year, Rodriguez’s record-breaking potential began to show, cracking into the top 40 all-time in the RGV in both the 400-meter dash and long jump. 

On Wednesday, Rodriguez finally etched his name in the RGV history books, breaking into the top spot in the long jump with a mark of 24 feet, 9 inches during the Area 31/32-5A championships at Richard Thompson Stadium in Mission. 

The jump earned him the Area 31/32-5A title in the event, while also securing a spot at the Region IV-5A championships for a third straight year.

“I started this when I was seven,” Rodriguez said. “I remember I wasn’t as good back then. It took a lot of consistency and dedication to get here. It means alot getting the record. Ever since I was little I’ve been chasing records. It just means alot to finally get the Valley record. .”

Rodriguez had flirted with the RGV long jump record all season long, steadily moving up in the rankings throughout the year. He jumped his way from 27th to 23rd all-time during his first meet of the year, recording a mark of 23-2 during the PSJA Battlin’ Bear Relays. 

He moved up again just one week ago, climbing all the way to No. 2 all-time during the District 31-5A championships with a then-personal best mark of 24-5. 

Rodriguez proved he wasn’t done yet Wednesday, however, setting a personal best for a second straight week to cement himself as No. 1 in the RGV’s all-time long jump list. 

His mark of 24-9 broke the previous record of 24-6.5 set by Harlingen High’s Jose Garcia in 2021. 

“Championship season has been good,” Rodriguez said. “It has been a lot of hard work that comes from before. I had been jumping 23’s and out of nowhere I was able to hit 24. I felt like I got extra high there. I didn’t believe I was going to break the record to be honest. I was just shocked.”

The area championship marked the third of Rodriguez’s career in the long jump, advancing him to his third straight regional championship in as many tries. 

The 2024 state qualifier isn’t done yet, still set to compete in the 400-meter dash during Thursday’s running finals of the area meet. Rodriguez won the area championship in the event last season. 

“Just gotta keep on working and not stop,” Rodriguez said. “I can’t let my success get to my head. Always gotta keep working”