U20 World champion Cristelle Rodriguez overcame pressure, doubt to reignite wrestling career

After winning a silver medal at the 2019 Cadet World Championships, then 15-year-old Cristelle Rodriguez was lauded as one of the top young prospects in women’s wrestling—a pressure that eventually forced her to step away from the sport.

Rodriguez was a trailblazer at her tradition-rich high school program, the first woman to win a CIF (California) state title for Buchanan. She went back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.

Between her high school and international success, all signs pointed to Rodriguez having an elite future in the sport of wrestling. Until she hit the pause button in 2021.

“I was just so young, and I went out there, and I was so fearless…once I took second [at Cadet Worlds] I was like, ‘oh man, everyone has this pressure on me to win,’ and they did. So, I put way too much pressure on myself and that’s what led me and my mental health to quitting my junior year and senior year of high school,” Rodriguez said.

Fast forward to 2024 and Rodriguez has catapulted herself to the upper echelon of the sport as a U20 World champion for Team USA and a NAIA national champion entering her junior season at Doane University. Where did the turnaround begin? Enter best friend Karina Vang and coach Dana Vote.

Vang and Rodriguez grew up together in the Fresno, California, region, with the sport of wrestling a centerpiece of their friendship. Vang encouraged Rodriguez, who had all but given up on wrestling, to take a chance on college in small town Nebraska.

The Doane women’s wrestling program is still in its infancy, now entering its third year of varsity competition in the NAIA ranks. After serving as the head coach of the Doane men’s wrestling program for two years, Vote was promoted to Director of Wrestling to oversee both the men’s program, plus the addition of a women’s program. Rodriguez was a member of the first women’s wrestling recruiting class for coach Vote and the Tigers.

“She still had some desire for wrestling, but she was scared to jump back in,” Vote explained. “It was multiple conversations that convinced her to come to school, and I said, ‘hey, first thing we’re going to work on is making you happy, making you enjoy the sport, build relationships, enjoying school, and when the time is right, we’ll jump back in.’”

According to Vote, the original plan was to ease Rodriguez back into the sport and not focus on varsity competition right away. Rodriguez planned to attend Doane’s first wrestling event of the season as a spectator and, naturally, wound up taking the mat instead. Her love for the sport was rekindled during those first few months in Crete, Nebraska.

Rodriguez credits the Doane coaching staff for its tireless commitment to helping wrestlers within the program succeed, herself included. Doane also offered her the unique perspective of being a part of a women’s only wrestling team for the first time. This sense of community helped reignite Rodriguez’s passion for the sport.

“It’s way different being on a girls’ team than going to tournaments whenever you wanted or being a part of a club. So, that was a big culture shock for me…I was not used to it, but it’s been cool, and I’ve made really good friends…the [Doane] community is amazing,” Rodriguez said.

During her freshman campaign for the Tigers, Rodriguez posted a 28-2 record and finished in third place at the NAIA Championships at 130 pounds. She and Vang became the first two All-Americans in program history. The Tigers have yet to add another name to this list.

After shaking off the rust of her first full year back in the sport, Rodriguez jumped levels. She wrapped up an undefeated sophomore campaign with a 22-0 record at 123 pounds with every match but one ending by either pin or technical fall. Rodriguez was named outstanding wrestler at the 2024 NAIA Championships after bonusing her way to a national title.

Rodriguez is the first individual national champion in Doane women’s wrestling history. Once again, taking up the role as trailblazer.

“She’s the face of the program,” Vote noted. “She’s basically been here from ground zero and she leads by example. She’s a great leader for the rest of the girls in the room. She’s well-spoken across campus and has made an impact on the entire student body and administration. The whole campus supports her. It’s really neat to see.”

From Vote’s perspective, there was a clear pivot point when Rodriguez altered the trajectory of her wrestling career. The spark was lit by her third-place finish at NAIA’s and was amplified by a 0-1 outing at the 2023 U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan. After these two disappointing outings by her standards, Rodriguez fully bought in to the lifestyle it takes to be a champion. She upped her game in critical areas like strength training, nutrition, academic performance and preparation in the wrestling room.

“From a coach’s standpoint, I couldn’t ask for anything more out of her. Anything I ask, she buys in. It’s a total investment. She does a great job,” Vote said.

The commitment to excellence from Rodriguez was on full display at the 2024 U20 World Championships held early September in Pontevedra, Spain. She catapulted herself to the status of World champion by bonusing her way through the event, much like she did months earlier at the NAIA’s.

The gold medal was solidified with an emphatic 58-second pin against Mongolia’s Khaliun Byambasuren in the championship bout at 55 kg. In the moment, Rodriguez wasn’t in disbelief at what she just accomplished. She exuded the strength and confidence of a champion as she carried the American Flag around center mat.

“Going into the match knowing anything can happen, trusting in my wrestling more than the other person, so as long as I’m attacking and moving my feet, I believe that no one can stop me,” Rodriguez said.

Her performance in Spain symbolized a full circle transformation from high school phenom who carried the burden of success and wilted under its pressure to college star who is a leader among her Team USA peers.

U.S. National Women’s Freestyle Developmental Coach Jessica Medina, who coached Rodriguez at all three of her age-group World Championships, credits Rodriguez for fighting through past experiences and embracing the challenges put in her path.

“To me, [Rodriguez] is a testament of a true story of resilience and what you can do when you have people behind you and support, who care about you, and help you get back on your feet…I’m happy that she is back in the sport and she’s on this trajectory to make, hopefully, World Teams and Olympic Teams at the Senior level,” Medina said.

After a banner 2024 season that resulted in her U20 World title, a NAIA title, an appearance at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and a silver medal at the Senior level Grand Prix of Spain, Rodriguez is poised to take another step toward stardom in women’s wrestling. It all starts with belief in herself as a strong, confident woman—traits the sport of wrestling helped her develop.

“You’ll always find the light at the end of the tunnel, even if it feels like the tunnel is closing on you fast. Just keep pushing,” Rodriguez said.

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This feature is part of USA Wrestling’s ongoing content series to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Stay tuned to USA Wrestling’s website and social media platforms for continued coverage of Hispanic Heritage Month as we spotlight the contributions to wrestling made by this unique community of individuals.