Rodriguez Receives First NAIA Wrestling Honor

Doane Women's Wrestler Cristelle Rodriguez has been named the NAIA Women's Wrestler of the Week for her performance during the week of January 23-29. Earlier this week, Rodriguez was named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Women's Wrestler of the Week. The NAIA honor is the first in program history.

Rodriguez opened the week as Doane hosted Hastings in the program's first-ever dual match. Wrestling in the 130 division, Rodriguez took on Larissa Kaz. Both wrestlers are ranked in the Top 10 at 123, Rodriguez at No. 3 and Kaz at No. 8. Rodriguez posted her third win of the season over Kaz, picking up a 12-1 tech fall win.

At the Saint Mary Spire Classic, Rodriguez won the 130 division with a 4-0 record. She opened with a win over NCAA Division II Athena Wilden of William Jewell by pin in 26 seconds. She defeated Madelynn Griffin of Ottawa by a tech fall, 10-0, and Bronwyn Brenneman of Iowa Central CC by a tech fall, 12-2. Brenneman is ranked No. 7 at 130 in the NJCAA.

The championship match pitted Rodriguez against Nichole Moore, an NAIA All-American and the 23U 57-kilogram division US Marine Corp women's national champion in 2022. The match came down to the final seconds with Rodriguez picking up a takedown with six seconds left to tie the match, 4-4, and win based on criteria.

Doane will return to action on Saturday, February 4, at the Grand View Open in Des Moines, Iowa.