by LARRY VAUGHT
“It’s so weird. I catch myself thinking about it often because I feel like I just came here. I feel like time has literally flown by. It’s crazy. I am still trying to enjoy every second of it because my career is already halfway done,” she said.
Rodriguez admits she welcomes the additional leadership responsibilities but it also is “scary” at times.
“Honestly, I feel like as a freshman and even as a sophomore, I kind of led by example more than vocally. I wasn’t as vocal as I am this year. This year I have definitely stepped into a leadership role. It’s scary, exciting and an honor all at the same time,” she said. “It’s definitely different. It’s hard being a leader and also trying to help yourself. It’s such an honor to be able to do that with an amazing group of girls.”
Kentucky had significant graduation losses off last year’s team but enters the season No. 9 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) rankings. It is UK’s third straight year to be in the preseason top 10 and since 2018 UK has not been ranked lower than 13th going into the season. Kentucky finished last season ranked 10th but all nine SEC teams rank in the top 12 going into this season.
“We definitely lost a lot of great personalities and a lot of great gymnasts off last year’s team but I also think we gained a lot of great freshmen and a transfer (Callie Gardner of Towson) who is amazing. I’m very optimistic even though we have a young team,” Rodriguez said. “I’m super excited to see what we can do and am so honored to be able to be a role model and help these girls. I’ve been on two very successful teams and so I know what success feels like.”
Kentucky opens the season Saturday at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad against No. 6 Michigan State, No. 14 Michigan and No. 20 California on ESPN2 before hosting Excite Night in Memorial Coliseum against Arizona State on Jan. 16.
Rodriguez figures to be competing on vault, bar, beam and floor exercise to add to her all-around resume built during her first two seasons competing for coach Tim Garrison.
“You want to be doing well on all events. ‘m just such a competitor. Preseason is hard, but it’s all worth it once you get to season and it sets you up to do well. Even in club gymnastics, I loved competing and performing. There’s just no better feeling than hitting a good routine and being like, ‘Wow, I worked so hard for that and it just paid off,’” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez hopes to make a big jump in vault this season and spent a lot of time in the offseason working on that event. She’s often UK’s leadoff performer in various events, too.
“The coaches always pick our lineups. Freshman year, I led off on every single event, and then last year I was later in bars and later in floor, and then sometimes later in vault. But I would always lead off on beam,” Rodriguez said. “Leading off and anchoring are like the two most important spots because you want your most consistent gymnasts to lead off so you get a good score posted.
But usually whenever you lead, they (judges) score you hard because you’re first. I feel like that’s where you kind of just have to take one for the team. Honestly, it’s such an honor to lead off even though sometimes my score doesn’t really reflect my performances all the time. Coaches want the person who is most trustworthy to go up there and start your lineup off.”
Competing in each event does put Rodriguez in position to be a natural team leader but she notes it also complicates being a leader because she’s always competing during matches.
“I have to be very locked in and that just comes from having experience so that I can help lead other girls,” the UK junior said.
Rodriguez had never lifted weights before getting to Kentucky even though she was a five-star recruit, high school national runner-up and six-time Nevada state champion. That changed after getting to UK and she now spends most of the summer in a weight program with teammates.
“I’ve gained so much muscle and strength. That really helps you in your routines,” she said. “For me, weightlifting makes a huge difference. Our summer programs really sets us up to do our best in our routines. We definitely don’t focus on weights as much in the preseason, but it’s still super important.”
Rodriguez likes lifting weights and feels it helps team bonding. The gymnasts lift with UK athletes from other sports.
“We blast music, even in the mornings because it helps wake us up,” Rodriguez said. “You are competing for spots but you are also cheering each other on in the weight room. We are competitors in the weight room just like during matches.”
Gymnasts practice three hours or more four days a week during the season which is not as hard as the preseason training.
“You save your body for that Friday competition to show everyone what you can do. I think I am a little more unmotivated in the preseason because you are pushing and you are tired but you are not competing (in meets). So I definitely have my up and down days but I know the work is worth it,” she said.
She loves competing in Memorial Coliseum in front of enthusiastic UK fans.
“I love looking up in the stands and just seeing everyone cheering for you. It’s just more comfortable in your arena. I love cheering my teammates on whether we’re home or away but I do think it is more fun at home because of our fans,” she said.
Rodriguez and her teammates always take time after home meets to mingle with fans and sign autographs or take pictures, especially with young fans.
“Even when I don’t have a great meet, I turn to all these little girls who are wanting my autograph and they don’t really even care if I did good or bad. Usually they don’t know. They just are happy they get to meet you and get your autograph,” Rodriguez said. “I think that’s something that is just super special. It really took me until last year to fully understand these young girls really look up to us. It took me a while to put that through my brain that they want my autograph.”
