Maryville University Athletics

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2016-17: Nate finished with an outstanding season and an outstanding career. He finished the season with a 32-2 overall record and 8-0 dual record at 141lbs. He captured the Kaufman/Brand Open Championship and was selected the Outstanding Wrestler. He was selected GLVC Wrestler of the Week for that performance. He was third at the Joe Parisi Open, second at the Jim Koch Wisconsin Open, and won the Midwest Classic Tournament with a 5-0 record. He closed out the season with his third Super Regional Championship and a NCAA Division II Championship at 141lbs. He finished his career as a three time All-American finishing seventh, third and first. He was a four time National Qualifier. He finished his career third on the Maryville All-Time Top Ten Win List with 118 wins and twelfth on the All-Time Top Ten Single Season Win List with a 32 win season. He earned GLVC First Team All-Conference Honors and received the GLVC James R. Spalding Sportsmanship Award. He was a three time NWCA All-Academic First Team selection for his performance on the mat and in the classroom. He received the team’s Outstanding Senior Award, Iron Discipline Award, Dr. Mark Lombardi Saint Award, Ryan Kaufman Award, 30 Match Winner Award, Most Technical Falls and Most Falls Award, Most Dominant Award, and Most Outstanding Award. He was named Wrestler of the Week ten times and OOOSSS Award winner nine times. He was inducted into the Maryville Hall of Fame at the 2016-17 Maryville Wrestling Awards Banquet. Nate will graduate with a degree in Biology in May and was accepted into Medical School. Earned CoSIDA Academic All-American honors and was selected the GLVC's Paragon Award winner.

2015-16: Was having a great season and on his way to his best season when he injured his knee during a match at the National Duals. He was 20-0, ranked first in the nation and had pinned his last ten opponents. He won the Kaufman/Brand Open and was selected the Outstanding Wrestler and won the Joe Parisi Open, defeating ranked Division I opponents in both tournaments. He won the Midwest Classic and was selected the Outstanding Wrestler. He did not compete for seven weeks in an attempt to heal and rehab his knee. His first tournament back he went 4-0 and won the Super Regional Tournament, his second consecutive Regional Championship. His performance helped the team win its second consecutive Regional Championship. He qualified for his third National Tournament. Still battling his knee injury he did not place in the National Tournament. An excellent student he was selected to his second consecutive NWCA All-Academic First Team. He is a two-time All-American and had his third consecutive 20 win season. Named Wrestler of the Week six times and OOOSSS Award winner six times.

Previously at Ouachita Baptist: Nate is a 2X NCAA DII All-American placing 7th as Freshman and 3rd as a Sophomore. A 2015 NWCA All-Academic Team Selection. Nate was also named Capital One Academic All-American in 2015. As a Freshman Nate finished 29-9. As a Sophomore he finished 23-3.

High School: Nate is a 4X Missouri State Finalist while winning 3 state titles his Sophomore, Junior and Senior seasons. 4X Academic All-State and All-District selection.

High School Career: Career Record: 210-12 Freshman: 47-5, Sophomore: 53-3, Junior: 54-3, Senior: 56-1
 
ABOUT NATE
Nickname: Doc
Birthday: 09/06/1994
Parents: Robert & Gina Rodriguez
Siblings: Jon Rodriguez
HS coach’s name(s): Jeremy Phillips & Cody Crocker
Greatest moment in wrestling: Pinning my kid in the bubble match to become an All-American my Freshmen Year.
People who have had the greatest influence in your life: My dad & mom
Favorite athlete: Georgi Ivanov
Favorite entertainer: Steve Carrell
Favorite food: Cappuccino Shake from Braum’s
Favorite book: Bible
Favorite wrestling move: The brace
Favorite quote: “Never sit with your back to a buffet that way you can see them bring out fresh food!”–Cody Crocker
Craziest ambition: Get married
If I could meet one person: C.S. Lewis
I came to Maryville because: I knew they were a family and wanted to be part of it.
Best sports advice ever received: No respect. Make your opponent battle for every point. Don’t give him anything. And have fun.
Treasured possessions: My Air Guitar
Something people don’t know about me: I am really good at the air guitar, ping-pong, and shadow wrestling.
10 years from now: I will hopefully be in residency and on my way to becoming a licensed doctor.