Syndicate Friday Features

Name: Steven Rodriguez, S.E.T. Adult High Performance Team (H.P.T.)

Where are you from and what activities did you do growing up?    

I’m from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic—a place full of warmth, grit, and deep cultural pride. Growing up, some of my favorite memories were riding my bike for hours through the long backroads of my neighborhood, feeling free and alive. I loved playing baseball with friends in the streets and local fields—it was more than a game; it was how we bonded, competed, and dreamed.

I also had a natural curiosity for martial arts and a deep respect for discipline, which sparked a lifelong appreciation for both physical and mental training. Even as a kid, I had an unusual intrigue for learning—academia always fascinated me. I’d ask big questions, chase big ideas, and see education not just as a requirement, but as a way out, a way forward, and a way to honor the sacrifices of those who came before me.

What is your life like outside of endurance sports?   

Outside of endurance sports, I’m a finance student at Penn State University and a leader deeply committed to equity, service, and impact. I’ve served as:

·         President of the Black Student Union

·         Treasurer of the National Society of Leadership and Success

·         Deacon at New Life Christian Church

·         Clerk and Whip in Student Government

·         Competitor in national sales competitions (including William Paterson’s National Sales Challenge)

I’ve also worked as a Product Specialist at Long Home Products and held finance roles in both corporate and entrepreneurial settings. But beyond the résumé, I’m someone who with the goal of being a role model for the next generation, especially for kids who look like me and think their story doesn’t matter.

Tell us about your endurance sport background; do you have a favorite discipline or event?

 Wrestling was my first endurance battleground—it taught me how to cut weight, push through mental walls, and find power in pain. But beyond wrestling, I’ve found joy in long-distance running and strength-based endurance activities. Training for personal excellence—whether it's physical, academic, or spiritual—is where I thrive. My discipline comes from surviving difficult environments, but it’s fueled by something deeper: a calling.

Which is your S.E.T. team affiliation?   

I’m part of the S.E.T. High Performance Team . I joined because I saw in S.E.T. a family—a mission beyond sport. A team that reflects values I believe in: grit, purpose, excellence, and community. I was drawn to the culture of pushing boundaries and elevating each other. I believe in honoring God with every finish line I cross, and S.E.T. is a team that embodies that spirit.

Most memorable 2024/25 endurance sport related (or other) experience? 

Running my first official 5K and finishing with a time of 22:22 was the most powerful endurance moment of my life—not just because of the number on the clock, but because of what it symbolized. Every step of that race felt like a prayer, a fight, a breakthrough. I didn’t just run for me—I ran for my grandmother, for my younger self who once felt invisible, and for every kid who's ever been told they don't belong. That finish line was more than a milestone—it was a quiet victory, one only God fully understood.

What are you most looking forward to in 2025/26? 

In 2025/26, I’m looking forward to continuing my professional career in finance and leadership, as well as training for my first IM. But more than that, I’m looking forward to doing something bold: pursuing a goal so personal, I haven’t shared it yet. Just know—it’s coming. And when it does, it will speak for itself.