Bobby “Jet” Rodriguez hosted the championship ring celebrations for four-time state champion Audrey Jimenez and Pueblo state champion Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith.
Rodriguez, a former football player at Arizona, operates JET Sports Training and he was instrumental in helping to start these two, and many more, state champions on their journeys.
“Our journey began together with 4:45 a.m. workouts in middle school, and now, she is part of Team USA Wrestling and will attend Lehigh University next year,” Rodriguez said on working with Jimenez. “Also recognized today was freshman Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith, Pueblo High’s first female wrestler state champion. Elizabeth’s dedication matches Audrey’s, training early in the morning at Jet and aiming high in women’s wrestling.”
Jimenez became the first girl in Arizona to win four state high school individual championships, more famously, winning her last one on the boy’s side, and Smith became the latest part of the first third generation state champions in Arizona. Her grandfather Orlando Smith won in 1974 and 1975 and her father Josiah Smith won in 1998. All three won while attending Pueblo.
The rings were designed by Joseph Grossi and Casydee Mae Saunders of Jostens.
Championship ring ceremony for 4X wrestling champion Audrey Jimenez of @SSBDwrestling @SHSDevilSports and state champion Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith of @PuebloAthletics @PuebloWrestling Bobby “The Jet” Rodriguez @ArizonaFBall trained them and hosted the ceremony. pic.twitter.com/TJOyW3aQ4J
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 10, 2024
4X state champion from @SSBDwrestling is off to Lehigh. She was the first girl to win a state championship on the boys side. Even better, her GPA is so high, her future off the mat looks equally impressive. pic.twitter.com/WtjGkLmyoj
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 10, 2024
Pueblo standout Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith is off to Nationals in Fargo, as we first reported before & when it happened, Smith became the first 3rd generation wrestling champion. grandfather Orlando Smith (1974-75) & father Josiah Smith (1998) were also state champions at Pueblo pic.twitter.com/SmDpWcljxa
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) July 10, 2024
There have been nine sets of fathers and sons to win state wrestling championships in Arizona and Orlando Smith (Pueblo: 1974-75) and Josiah Smith (Pueblo: 1998) are one of them. We have yet to have a father and daughter or three generations of individual state champions.… pic.twitter.com/DjEMah9aJ3
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) February 4, 2024
4X State Champion Audrey Jimenez. @AZPreps365 @SSBDwrestling @jennamfink @damien_alameda @JasonBarrTV https://t.co/dTS7W3vkcA pic.twitter.com/dQWQMsrFL6
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) February 18, 2024
Elizabeth Valenzuela Smith. Is the first third generation state champion from Arizona. The @PuebloWrestling freshman can do it again. Her father and grandfather also won state titles for Pueblo @azpreps365 pic.twitter.com/QOtBxxSNIX
— Andy Morales (@AndyMorales8) February 18, 2024
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