BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Former North Dakota State University wrestler Josh Rodriguez won the gold medal at 57 kg as the U.S. Men’s Freestyle Team went undefeated at 34-0 and won all 10 weight classes to take the 2019 Senior Pan American Championship on April 18-21. It was the first time in the history of the event a team has gone undefeated, winning every weight.
Rodriguez, who lives in State College, Pa., and trains with the Nittany Lion WC, compiled a 4-0 record including his win over 2018 Pan American silver medalist Oscar Tigreros Urbano in the championship match.
The USA Wrestling recap said, “Rodriguez used a variety to takedowns including a four-point takedown to spur him to a 10-0 win for his first international Senior-level international gold.”
57 kg: Josh Rodriguez (State College, Pa./Nittany Lion WC) – GOLD
WIN Reineri Andreu Ortega (Cuba), 7-2
WIN Lucas Navarrete Vidal (Ecuador), 10-0
WIN Darthe Capellan (Canada), 6-4
WIN Oscar Tigreros Urbano (Colombia), 10-0
Rodriguez was a three-time NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds for North Dakota State from 2012-17 and compiled a 103-37 record. He was the 2015 NCAA West Region Most Outstanding Wrestler and 2017 Big 12 Conference runner-up.
2019 SENIOR PAN AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 18-21
Final team standings
- USA – 250
- Canada – 129
- Cuba – 115
- Puerto Rico – 72
- Venezuela – 68
- Argentina – 53
- Colombia – 48
- Brazil – 41
- Dominican Republic – 37
- Peru – 37
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