Team USA Women's Wrestling Takes Third at World Championships

Doane women's wrestler Cristelle Rodriguez competed for Team USA at the 20U Wrestling World Championships in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday morning. She took on Volha Hardzei from Belarus (competing under Individual Neutral Athletes as she was not permitted to compete under the Belarus flag).

In the opening period, Hardzei was able to strike first with a single leg takedown. She added two more points by fighting off Rodriguez' single leg attempt and reversing the effort. Early in the final period, Rodriguez missed a single leg takedown and Hardzei went for a throw. Rodriguez slipped through the attempt and came out on top for a takedown to pull within two points, 4-2.

The difference in the match came with 1:22 remaining as Hardzei fought off a double leg attempt by Rodriguez. With the two wrestlers locked up and coming up to their feet, Hardzei was able to grab a leg and take Rodriguez down to her back for four points. With seven seconds left in the match, Hardzei missed a throw and Rodriguez took her down for two points and added a leg lace for two more points. Geared up for one last leg lace, time ran out on Rodriguez as she fell to defeat, 8-6.

The majority of the Team USA women and some coaches were struck with food poisoning the day before women's action started in Jordan. Despite a member of the team having to go to the hospital and others battling illness, the team was able to secure Third Place at the Women's World Championships with 118 points. India won the team battle with 140 points and Japan was second with 129 points.