Benny Rodríguez

Benny Rodríguez enters his fourth year as head cross country at Texas A&M International University. The Dustdevils have made great strides under the tutelage of the former NCAA Division II distance runner and Laredo native.

Rodriguez guided both teams to solid campaigns last fall. The men and women improved throughout the season before registering impressive outings at the Heartland Conference Championships. The men finished fourth and the women seventh in the team standings at the conference meet.

Three runners achieved All-Heartland Conference honors with top-10 finishes on the men's side. Luis Beltrán finished seventh, followed by Gedyon Keflezgi in ninth place and Eddie González in 10th place.

In his first campaign as head coach, three runners earned All-Red River Athletic Conference honors before advancing to the NAIA National Championships. Achieving that accomplishment were Eddie González and Mark Vela on the men's side and Anetra Matthews for the women's team.

Before entering the coaching ranks Rodríguez excelled at Laredo's Nixon High School and Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Rodríguez lettered in both cross country and track and field at TAMUK. In cross country, he was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference honoree while also serving as team captain as a junior and senior. In track and field he specialized in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

He was a two-time cross country regional qualifier and one-time state qualifier during his career at Nixon. He capped his high school career by winning a cross country district championship and leading the Mustangs to a district title.

Rodríguez graduated with a bachelor's in kinesiology from TAMUK in 2000. He has taught physical education at J.C. Martin Elementary School since 2002.

Rodríguez and his wife, Melina, are the parents of a seven year-old daughter, Alexa.