BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Emile Rodriguez (Lowell) -- Rodriguez, a senior, is a three-time City champion at 800 meters who saved the best for last, running a PR 1:55.95 for 17th place at the CIF-State Track & Field Championship prelims. It was the highest place among all qualifiers from the tiny San Francisco Section, that advances just one athlete per event to the State final on the condition that they met a section-specific qualifying standard during the season. This was the second State Meet in as many seasons for Rodriguez. As a junior, he ran what had been his PR of 1:57.13 for 20th place at State Prelims.
(Rodriguez competes in the 800 prelim at State in the Pat Rhames photo above)