[Women's Wrestling] Rodriguez Earns Second KCAC Weekly Honor
Doane University (Neb.) wrestler Cristelle Rodriguez (FR/Clovis, Calif.) has been named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Women's Wrestler of the Week for her efforts this past weekend at the Conner/Oppenheim Doane Open. Rodriguez won the 123 division, going 4-0 on the day.
Rodriguez opened the tournament with a match against Lauren Lopez of Saint Mary (Kan.), picking up a pin in 50 seconds. She had the match clinched following a four-point takedown to go ahead 10-0 but managed to finish off her opponent by placing Lopez' shoulders to the mat.
In her second match of the day, she made quick work of Emily Fergeson of York (Neb.) as she posted a 10-0 win. Rodriguez needed only 30 seconds to record her 10 points to end the match by technical fall.
The semifinal match for Rodriguez featured her first ranked opponent of the weekend, Liannette Ortiz of Indian Hills. Ortiz is ranked No. 2 for the NJCAA in the 123 division. Rodriguez jumped out early with three takedown scores for a 6-0 lead with only 20 seconds coming off the clock. Following a restart, Ortiz got the jump on Rodriguez and took her down for two points. The Tiger freshman came back with a two-point takedown at the 1:09 mark and finished off Ortiz with a four-point takedown at the 2:14 mark of the opening period to pick up a 12-2 tech fall win.
In the finals, Rodriguez faced off against Larissa Kaz of Hastings. Kaz is ranked No. 12 in the NAIA in the 123 division. A four-point takedown 12 seconds into the match gave Rodriguez the early lead. Following an exchange of points, Rodriguez added six points in an 18-second span to post an 11-1 tech fall victory.
Rodriguez and the Tigers are off until January 14 when they take part in the York Open. The KCAC Women's Wrestler of the Week award for Rodriguez is her second of the season.