Sumner diver Rodriguez now an All-American

The SHS graduate will soon start diving for the University of Arizona.

Sumner High’s Rafael Rodriguez can add one more accolade to his already-impressive resumé.

The Spartan diver, who captured a state Class 4A championship to conclude the 2017-18 season, has been awarded All-American status by the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America.

Rodriguez, who was nominated by Sumner coach Maari Bennett, will next compete for the University of Arizona. He will head to the Tucson campus and begin turnouts with his Wildcat teammates Aug. 10. He will develop under the tutelage of new Arizona dive coach John Appleman.

The Wildcats compete at the NCAA Division I level as members of the Pac-12 Conference.

Rodriguez, who graduated Friday from Sumner High, has continued to perform well during off-season meets, Bennett reported. He will head to a big meet later this month in Clovis, California.

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