Rodriguez Sala saves best memories for last

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – During his long, successful career as University of Memphis track and field coach, Kevin Robinson has sent dozens of athletes to the NCAA Championships.

Some have been in position to earn NCAA individual titles, others have contributed to solid relay teams. A few have been consistent, annual performers.

And then there's Martina Rodriguez Sala.

When the Tigers send nine athletes to the NCAA Championships June 6-9 at Eugene, Ore., Rodriguez Sala – in her final year at the UofM – will be making her debut on the sport's biggest stage. Rodriguez Sala will compete in the 1500 meters after qualifying for the event at last weekend's NCAA East Preliminaries in Tampa, Fla.

Robinson couldn't be happier for a deserving distance runner who narrowly missed qualifying on two occasions in the past.

"For me, I think my heart pretty much stopped from the time that (starter's) gun went off to the second she crossed the finish line," Robinson said. "That race really meant a lot to me because she has been so close – so agonizingly close – in both cross country and track."

Rodriguez Sala, a native of Spain, said Robinson gave her a big hug when she qualified.

"He's always been very encouraging," she said. "He understood what I was feeling at that moment."

She has gradually prepared herself for that moment. She set the school record in the 1500 meters in late March with a time of 4:17.99. At the American Athletic Conference Championships last month, she won the event (4:22.65) and at last weekend's NCAA Preliminaries she broke her school mark with a time of 4:16.09.

"She's been in position (to qualify) for the nationals before and just fell short," Robinson said.

No one, Robinson said, is more deserving. Recognized as the most decorated female distance runner in school history, Rodriguez Sala is a three-time AAC champion. She's also a outstanding student. She graduated in the spring of 2017 with a double major (biology and physics) and is a Master of Science candidate in physics.

"She's one of those kids that does everything the right way – whether it's rest, recovery or nutrition," Robinson said. "She's all in. She's a very, very dedicated, selfless student-athlete. She's exactly the kind of person you want to see have that kind of success."

Rodriguez Sala had missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships two years ago in the 1500 meters (by one spot).

She called earning entry in the nationals "real, real exciting."

"I'm a senior and this is my last competition as an athlete," she said. "To qualify is everything I could have hoped for."

After the nationals, Rodriguez Sala said she'll continue to compete. She's not ready to walk away.

"Most of us who (participate) in this sport, we have a passion for it," she said. "It's not about the fame. It's not about the money. It's about pushing your limits."

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

When: June 6-9
Where: Hayward Field, Eugene (Oregon)
Tigers participating: Martina Rodriguez Sala (1500 meters); Luke Vaughn (men's discus); Rafael Vallery (men's discus); Michael Criticos (men's javelin); Ashley Pryke (women's javelin) and the men's 4 x 400 meter relay team (Calvin Austin, Jarred Pasley, Naaman Norment and Ryan Champlin).

University of Memphis Athletics

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