For Josh Lara and Abigail Rodriguez, the moment was all about celebrating hard work coming to fruition.

After successful high school careers, both student athletes will get a chance to continue their athletic careers at the next level after signing letters of intent Monday at the Odessa High Fieldhouse.

Lara signed to play football at Wayland Baptist University in Plainview while Rodriguez will play basketball at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas.

 “Today is just a big blessing,” Lara said. “I’ve always told my family that I’m going to college no matter what and I’m just blessed to have this chance.”

“It feels great because this is something I’ve worked hard for,” Rodriguez said. “There were times that I thought wouldn’t be able to go to college and I’m blessed with the opportunity to go.

“Neosho just felt like a good fit and the perfect opportunity for me.”

Both athletes also spent time reflecting on what each had accomplished just this season.

For Rodriguez, she was a part of a Lady Bronchos team that won a playoff game for the first time in two decades after a return to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years.

Howerver, she suffered a torn ACL during the team’s game against Midland High back on Jan. 11 and did not return until the area round playoff game against Arlington Martin a month later.

She made two 3-pointers in that game to close out her high school career and says that will be one of her fondest memories during her time at Odessa High.

“I was really working to get back on the court but I couldn’t get back until I got my brace and the doctors cleared me,” she said. “It meant a lot to play in that last game since those were my last points as a Broncho. I’ll always remember that.”

As for Lara, he was part of a Bronchos football team that improved every year during his three years on the varsity team.

The 5-foot-6 running back played with a chip on his shoulder for the entire 2018 season, rushing for more than 1,000 yards, and 13 touchdowns and always running with a purpose. 

“I did all this for my tia who is battling cancer,” Lara said. “If she can fight for her life, I can fight for my career.”

Lara has always kept his faith strong and that was one of the big deciding points for him when deciding on a school.

It was after a conversation with a coach at the school that Wayland Baptist was the place for him.

“The first time I went there, they asked me what career I wanted to go into and I told them business,” Lara said. “They told me that no matter what, God knows your plan and soon as they said that, I had feeling in my heart that this was where I needed to be.”

Another added bonus is tjat the Pioneers will play a game next season at Ratliff Stadium against UTPB in the same stadium that Lara made so many memories.

He’ll also go up against former teammate Trey Smith when Wayland Baptist takes on Texas Wesleyan on Nov. 9 in Fort Worth.

“They’re my brothers and I grew up with them,” Lara said. “It’s going to be kind of funny going up against him on the field but it’s going to be exciting and a blessing.”
