SALLISAW, Okla. — “It’s go-time,” said Sallisaw senior striker Wesley Rodriguez. “I lock in, focus, and do everything I can to help the team win.”
That laser-focused mindset has helped Rodriguez lead the Black Diamonds both in performance and leadership during his final season. “My personal goal is to help the team in any way I can, be a leader on and off the field, and help the younger guys develop and feel confident,” he said.
Rodriguez credits the team’s chemistry for their success. “Team morale has been very good,” he said. “Everyone on the team is close, and we hang out together both on and off the field, which really helps our chemistry.”
That closeness has translated into maturity and steady progress. “This year, our team has been very mature,” he said. “We have a lot of younger guys stepping up and helping out, and our chemistry as a group has been really strong.”
The team’s goals are ambitious, but Rodriguez said they are ready to meet the challenge. “Our goals are to make a deep playoff run, win district championships, and make history for the program,” he said. “We’re working toward that by staying focused, working hard in practice, and holding each other accountable.”
Work ethic, he said, sets this group apart. “Our biggest strength is our work ethic,” he said. “We’re solid all around with a strong offense and defense, and everyone is willing to put in the work.”
On the field, Rodriguez thrives on attacking opportunities. “I play up top as a striker,” he said. “My role is to score goals, get my teammates involved, and lead by communicating and keeping the team organized on the field.”
Off the field, team bonding continues. “This team is really close,” he said. “We like to go fishing together and hang out as a group, especially going out to eat at Hiro and Cantinflas.”
Rodriguez hopes his impact lasts long after graduation. “I want to leave a strong legacy on and off the field and be remembered as someone who worked hard, led by example, and cared about the program,” he said.
Rodriguez plans to continue his soccer career at Southern Nazarene University.
