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Gilbert Rodriguez with some of his trophies and awards.
John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
Gilbert Rodriguez, a seventh-grader at Mountain Vista Jr. High, breezed through to the finals of the Arizona State Wrestling Championships at Marana High School last weekend, pinning all four of his opponents to reach the championship match. Bella Benavidez (111 lbs.) and Reno Monteros (167 lbs.) also competed at the state finals.
Rodriguez, 12, won his four matches in 1:34 or less. In the finals, he won by fall again, this time in 1:40 to win the 73 lb. State Championship.
Unusual dedication and commitment accounted for the 12-year old’s success, according to his coach and father, Gilbert Sr.
After practicing in Oracle with his Mountain Vista teammates, Gilbert was transported by members of his family, who took turns transporting him to Tucson five times a week so he could compete against some of the best wrestlers in the state. The idea being he would get better as a result. After going 40 – 2 and winning the State Championship, it all proved to be worth the sacrifice.
Gilbert’s dedication and commitment has allowed him to achieve success beyond the mat too.
“I feel so proud to see him succeed on and off the mat,” said the elder Rodriguez about his son. “He has a 4.0 GPA and he made National Junior Honor Society.
“I’m just so proud of him, not just the wrestling part of it but also academically.”
The elder Rodriguez called his son “very independent” and said he and his wife feel “very blessed and happy for him.”
All three Mountain Vista wrestlers are to be congratulated for an outstanding season.
Way to go Gilbert, Bella, and Reno!
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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