SAN ANTONIO -- The UTSA cross country team is three meets into the 2019 season. Before UTSA's next meet in College Station on Oct. 19, get to know a few of the Roadrunners student-athletes. Today, learn all about senior Josh Rodriguez, a native of Boerne, Texas, and a product of Boerne Champion High School!
Rodriguez has compete in two of UTSA's three meets in 2019, logging a 35th place finish in the UIW Opener on Aug. 30 (20:14.8 in 6K), and a 118th place finish in the Lakefront Invitational last Saturday (28:03.25 in 8K).
At what age did you begin running competitively?
JR: 11
Why did you start running competitively / under what circumstances did you begin focusing on the sport?
JR: I was not big enough to play basketball or football but still wanted to play sports. So I tried running.
What is your earliest memory of distance running?
JR: Doing early Saturday morning long runs, in preparation for the 2012 Houston Marathon.
Who is your inspiration in competition and why?
JR: Leo Manzano because he is short and from Texas, just like me.
Who is a former collegiate or professional athlete whom you admire?
JR: A former collegiate athlete I admire is my former teammate Luca Chatham. He always pushed me to do my best and he went on to race the 800m at nationals.
What family members have made the biggest impact on your life and why?
JR: My mom is Victoria. My siblings are Danielle, Jaclyn, Jenna and Jared. My mom and older sister, Danielle, have always been supportive and my biggest fans.
Why did you decide to attend the UTSA?
JR: When I went on my visit, I noticed how close the team was and I wanted to be apart of that.
What is your academic major?
JR: I recently changed my major to business statistics and data analysis.
What are your career goals and why do you have an interest in pursuing that particular career?
JR:My career goals are to be an actuarial scientist because I find statistics interesting.
What do you enjoy doing outside of running and school?
JR: Hanging out with teammates, sleeping and being with family.
What is something most people might not know about you?
JR: I don't like strawberries.
What advice would you give to a young athlete who would like to one day be in your shoes?
JR: Always work hard and always work on the little things.
- UTSA -
