Rodriguez's Pan American gold earns him USATF Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS — Racing to gold in the men's 10,000 at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, Isai Rodriguez (Stillwater, Oklahoma/USATF Oklahoma) earned recognition as the 40th USATF Athlete of the Week award winner for 2023.

Rodriguez, who was seventh in the 10,000 at the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships and fifth at the NCAA Championships for Oklahoma State, took the lead from the gun in Santiago and quickly established what turned out to be an insurmountable lead. By the halfway mark Rodriguez had a 20-second lead over the pack and kept up his rapid tempo.

He continued to lengthen the distance between him and eventual silver medalist Sam Chelanga, and crossed the finish line in 28:17.84 to win by more than 43 seconds. His victory was the first in the event by an American man since Bruce Bickford took gold in 1987, and the 1-2 finish with Chelanga was a first for the U.S. Other top Pan American Games performances from last week:

• DeAnna Price won the women's hammer at the Pan American Games with a best of 72.34/237-4
• Erin Marsh won the women's heptathlon at the Pan American Games with a score of 5,882 points, more than 200 points ahead of the silver medalist.
• Curtis Thompson won the men's javelin at the Pan American Games with a best of 79.65/261-4.
• Bridget Williams won the women's pole vault at the Pan American Games with a clearance at 4.60/15-1.
• Matt Ludwig won the men's pole vault at the Pan American Games, clearing 5.55/18-2.5.
• Rachel McCoy won the women's high jump at the Pan American Games, going over 1.87/6-1.5.
• Kasey Knevelbaard won the men's 5000 at the Pan American Games and was fifth in the 1500.

Now in its 22nd year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week when there are high-level competitions and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week. 

2023 Winners: January 17, Emily Sisson; January 24, Ednah Kurgat; January 31, Woody Kincaid; February 7, Grant Holloway; February 14, Yared Nuguse; February 21, Anna Hall; February 28, Talitha Diggs; March 7, Alicia Monson; March 14, Jasmine Moore; March 21, Keyzelle Thomas; March 28, Camille Herron; April 4, Hillary Bor; April 11, Valarie Allman; April 18, Britton Wilson; April 25, Brooke Andersen; May 2, Gabby Thomas; May 9, Connor Burns; May 16, Britton Wilson; May 23, Brooke Andersen; May 30, Ryan Crouser; June 6, KC Lightfoot; June 13, Grayson Murphy; June 20, Yared Nuguse; July 17, Gabby Thomas & Christian Miller; July 20, Ednah Kurgat; July 27, Nikki Hiltz; August 3, Quenton Lanese; August 10, Shawnti Jackson; August 17, Michelle Atherley; August 30, Ryan Crouser, Noah Lyles, Sha'Carri Richardson & Laulauga Tausaga-Collins; September 6, Yared Nuguse; September 13, Jenny Hitchings; September 20, Yared Nuguse; September 27, Weini Kelati; October 3, Hobbs Kessler; October 10, Conner Mantz; October 17, Parker Valby; October 24, Biya Simbassa; October 31, Parker Valby; November 7, Isai Rodriguez.

We welcome your nominations!

To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about their performance to communications@usatf.org.

Join the conversation with USATF on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #USATF.