Mason's Major Move: Rodriguez's standout senior year ends w/heading Hornets' State T&F quartet

A trip to the State track and field competition -- individually in three events and as a part of a relay for Dodd City -- completes that sport for Mason Rodriguez whose post high school future includes being in the Air Force. Photo by Rich Hilliard

DODD CITY -- It would be hard to script a better final year of athletics for a senior.

Last fall, Mason Rodriguez quarterbacked Class 3A Bonham to a postseason return in football, posting standout offensive numbers -- as a passer and rusher.

By late January, he found himself playing basketball at 1A Dodd City, helping the Hornets to their first district title and regional final advance in the boys' sport, respectively, since 2019 and 2012.

Rodriguez's bat, glove and pitching helped Dodd City repeat last month as the District 12-2A baseball champion.

Also, to end April, he qualified for the first time for State competition in track and field -- individually in three events and as a part of a relay.

"It's been amazing," said Rodriguez on May 9. "It's crazy how life works and the situations you get put into.

"I take advantage of what I can get," he said. "I will try to get on the podium.

"It would be nice to be one of the fastest in the state."

Rodriguez triumphed in the long jump with a 21-feet leap at the Region II-1A Boys' Meet held April 29-30 at Whitney. At the same event, he finished as the runner-up in 11.43 in the 100m dash, in 23.87 in the 200m dash and in 45.73 while anchoring the Hornets' 4X100 which also included junior Ashton Balvin, sophomore Ethan Barnard and freshman Colton Rodriguez.

"It's great. It's a blessing to be there [at State]," said Colton Rodriguez, the second leg of the relay. "It's exciting."

"It is our first year of track: We didn't know what to expect," said Barnard, a two-time regional qualifier in cross county and the first leg of the relay. "It all came down to us wanting to do it."

"It's a great opportunity. I want to go out and put Dodd City on the map -- anywhere in any sport," said Balvin, the third leg of the relay. "We are trying