Rodriguez Runs Her Way to District Title, Fayette Co. Athlete of the Week Honors

Schulenburg senior Ruby Rodriguez ran to a cross country district title Monday in Shiner at the District 28-2A meet with a time of 13:16.06 in the two-mile course. She now advances to the regional meet in Corpus Christi Oct. 21.

“This is my first year to coach Ruby. She is first class in every form and fashion,” said Schulenburg girls cross country coach Larry Tidwell. “She is a great student, a great ambassador for our program. She’s our team captain. Winning a district championship is something she put her mind to do, and she did it. When you have goals like that and you reach your goals you feel really good for people that do that. But Ruby is still very, very hungry. She wants to go to state and that’s what we’re going to train for during the next two weeks.”

We are proud to honor Rodriguez as this week’s Fayette County Athlete of the Week.

How did you get into distance running?

“My freshman year a friend decided midway through the season that she wanted to try it and she didn’t want to do it alone ... I thought I would really be bad at it, but I ended up really loving it.”

What did winning the district title mean to you?

“I set it as a goal for myself. I got second at district last year, and I needed to do better – and that’s what better was.”

What do you think about while you are running?

“I think of a song that’s been stuck in my head or what I did that week or weekend. I just kinda zone out.”

You are a senior. What are your plans after high school? 

“I want to go to college, I’m just not sure what I want to major in. I want to do something helping kids.”

Besides cross country, what other activities are you involved with in the community and the school? 

“I’m in National Honor Society, and I also run track, and I’m in student council.”

What’s the longest distance you have ever run?

“3.5 or four miles.”

What is the prettiest cross country course you have ever run at? What is the hardest course?

“Shiner, just because it’s at a park ... The hardest is probably also Shiner because the hill is right at the end. You are already out of energy but you just have to keep pushing.”

Your team won second at district to also advance to regionals. How do you all motivate each other to be better runners? 

“Right before the race we just talk to each other. We try to make each other not be nervous or give each other tips like ‘stay with this person or run with this person.’”

What are your goals for regionals? 

“I hope to get in the Top 10 and advance to state.”