Two Lamar University athletes make U.S. Olympic Trials

Lamar University made a mark at the U.S. Olympic Trials as two of its standout athletes, junior Chloe Rodriguez and sophomore Kenson Tate, showcased their talents on the national stage.

Chloe Rodriguez, a junior from Richardson, Texas, became the first female Big Red athlete to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Competing in the women's 400-meter hurdles, Rodriguez ran in the sixth lane in the third heat. She got off to a solid start, averaging under five seconds per split after six hurdles. Ultimately, she finished seventh in her heat and 32nd overall with a time of 1:00.05 seconds, seventeen hundredths faster than Vanessa Watson of the Florida Gators' women's track and field team.

"It was a good experience leading up to Oregon," Rodriguez said. "I was very determined, and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I was just in awe of getting qualified. I wasn't really nervous at all. I was just more excited going to Eugene. It was a huge, huge opportunity for me. I was living a dream that I thought was really just a dream. For me to actually qualify was just so crazy. I still think to this day it was crazy."

Two weeks after competing at Hayward Field for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Kenson Tate returned to Eugene to compete in the men's long jump. The Zachary, Louisiana native placed 22nd overall with a distance of 7.48 meters (24'6.5"). After fouling on his first attempt, Tate posted his best result on his second attempt and finished his third jump at 7.25 meters (23'9.5").

"It was great to see myself in the pool with great athletes that I was able to see coming up in the college ranks and now they're pros and I'm on the college level competing alongside them," Tate said. "The experience was great being there two times this year, not only for the trials but also at the NCAA Outdoor meet. It was a different experience I would say at the trials with the world's greatest athletes there and the collegiate greats being there as well."

This past season marked a high point for both athletes. Rodriguez finished in the Top 10 twelve times across indoor and outdoor seasons combined. At the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships, she broke both the school and conference records in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 57.02 seconds, earning a gold medal. She also earned bronze as part of the 4x400-meter relay team.

Tate's historic season included two All-American honors, two Southland Conference long jump titles, and berths in both the indoor and outdoor national championships. He broke the school record for the furthest distance long jump at 8.02 meters (26'3.75") and was named the Southland Conference Men's Athlete of the Year.

"I feel like I wanted more, but I also have to see that I'm young and that's what the family and friend's support team was there for," Tate said. "They were showing me that's the big picture and the silver lining of it all. But, it was a great experience being there and being able to compete with the greats."

Rodriguez shared a similar sentiment about the trials. "I went to go do my warm-up and I was like 'I'm here for a reason.' I just ended up enjoying my time there regardless of how I ran. I just ended up enjoying being there. It was just amazing," she said.

The camaraderie between Rodriguez and Tate has been a cornerstone of their journey.

"I always think now back to when Kenson and I were freshmen. We were sitting in the dorm with a couple other friends and we were just talking about how we were going to go to the Olympics together," Rodriguez said. "Honestlyat that point, I thought we were just talking right now, and then it happened. To see and to live out what can actually be, it just makes me so happy on the inside. It really makes me grateful for being at Lamar, having the coaches that I have. It really makes me appreciate the hard work that I've done."

Looking ahead, both athletes have ambitious goals.

"I wouldn't say it was a milestone, but it's a steppingstone because I do want to take this career and have the opportunity," Tate said. "I wanted to be on the team to go to Paris off of an injury, but things didn't happen that way. I do see track as a long-term thing. Iput in work every day. Coming off injury last year and then being able to do what I've done this year was a really good experience. It feels great to pick up where I left off. For next year, I want to showcase my talent on the big stage and bring home hardware that I deserve and put in work for."

Rodriguez and Tate's participation in the Olympic Trials not only marks a significant milestone for Lamar University Athletics, but also sets a high bar for future athletes. Theirdetermination and performance have put them on the path to greater achievements and inspired their peers at Lamar University.

To learn more about LU Athletics, visit www.lamarcardinals.com.

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