“In the final meet of his high school career, Rodney Lora came up big. Entering the VISAA Championships as the school record-holder, Lora achieved a new personal best in each of his final three throws. Within a matter of minutes, Lora went from No. 16 in state history in the shot put to No. 2, and he finished the season ranked among the nation’s top 10 prep competitors in the event in 2023.”

Rich Gonzalez

editor of PrepCalTrack.com

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior won the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division 1 title in the shot put in dramatic fashion, leading the Tigers to the team title. Lora broke the school record on each of his final three throws at the state meet, including what was a nearly four-foot improvement in the final round. His winning toss of 66 feet, 1 inch ranked No. 7 nationally among prep competitors in 2023. He also took second in the discus at states, launching the disc 158-8.

Academic Achievement

Lora has maintained a 3.45 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to play football on scholarship at the University of North Carolina this fall.

Exemplary Character

Lora has volunteered locally on behalf of the Appalachia Service Project, repairing a family’s ceiling damaged by a storm. He has also donated his time by serving food to those in need at a shelter in New York City.