Going from competing in Fuhrer Field House for a normal collegiate competition to traveling to Pontevedra, Spain, to compete at the U20 World Championships would seem impossible to some athletes, but not for junior Cristelle Rodriguez.
Rodriguez told reporters that everything happened so fast and that she was still shocked about the outcome; however, whatever the outcome was she knew she gave it her all.
“Before heading to Spain, I was feeling a mix of excitement and nerves,” Rodriguez said. “On one hand, the excitement came from the fact that I was competing on an international level, which is always a big moment in any athlete’s career. But on the other hand, I was nervous because I wanted to perform well and meet the expectations I had for myself.”
Not only did she have the pressure to exceed her own goals, but she also had the pressure to represent the United States. Meanwhile, she had the thought in her head about quitting the sport she has done since she was a kid.
“There have definitely been moments in my career where I’ve felt like giving up, whether it was due to physical demands or mental challenges,” Rodriguez said. “Even in the competition there were tough moments where I questioned myself, but ultimately, I knew I had to push though.”
Rodriguez also believes that no matter how much success a person has, there is always room for improvement, which was something that motivated her throughout this whole process. Along with that, she also believes that with the right support, anyone can achieve anything that they have put their minds to.
“My family, coaches, fiancé, and teammates have been my biggest supporters throughout this competition and my entire career,” Rodriguez said. “Over the years, they’ve supported me by encouraging me through the highs and lows and by pushing me to be the best version of myself both on and off the mat.”
Rodriguez also believes that any sport is full of ups and downs, but the key is to keep pushing forward, even when everything gets tough.
“For freshmen, stay patient with yourself and be open to learning as much as possible,” Rodriguez said. “For upperclassmen, lead by example and don’t forget to give back to your teammates.”
