(Diego Machado before a match / Photo courtesy of Tricia Meiners)

Junior wrestler Diego Machado was the lone national qualifier for the St. Ambrose wrestling team this year. This is their third season as a program. A common theme among college athletes is that they have been playing all their lives and have dominated their sports at young ages. As his teammate Jayden Terronez says, “He had a humble beginning.”

Machado says that he started wrestling in eighth grade because a friend wanted to try out. He shares that he and his friend agreed, “I’ll try out if you try out.”

Machado made the team and said he enjoyed the sport even if he did not have instant success, and only won one match that year against a female competitor. He kept at it and said he started to get better in his junior year of high school. 

SAU wrestling coach, Bo Bettinson recruited Machado into the wrestling team’s first year. Bettinson says, “He is everything a coach could want: extremely coachable, super hard working, loves to learn, and will try anything you teach him.”

“He’s a team first guy. I’ve had him move up weights because it fit better for the team.” 

Machado transitioned from 149 pounds last season to 165 pounds this season, and says he spent a considerable amount of time being underweight during the season. He says, “I felt weak and powerless.”

But Machado endured and told himself, “I can beat these guys.”

Despite the struggles of being underweight, and the physical punishment of wrestling, he says he loves the sport, “If I left it, it would be the biggest regret of my life…There is so much more I could give.”

His teammates say they always believed in him. Terronez says, “Our entire team has known for a long time that Diego was as good as anyone in the country, but I think he truly proved it to himself this year.”

Not only is he a nationally qualified wrestler, but his teammates love him. 

Junior wrestler and Machado’s roommate, Abdullah Razzak remarks, “His positive attitude and joking nature makes him a joy to be around.”

Terronez agrees, adding, “He isn’t your stereotypical wrestler who wants to kill everybody he toes the line against. He is the guy that cracks jokes before he goes onto the mat… He is someone you want to be around. He keeps it light.”

His coach echoes the sentiment, “He is goofy, keeps things light, which makes practices fun.”

As a testament to how much his teammates value and respect him, Bettinson says they have voted him to be the team captain. His teammates say they don’t regret that choice.

Terronez says, “Diego works really hard in the wrestling room, and he wrestles everyone in the room. Whether it’s me, our coaches, our heavyweights, or even our little guys… not for himself, but to help everyone in the room become better. That’s the type of teammate he is… selfless and always willing to help someone that needs it.

“He isn’t the most vocal at practice, but he leads with his work ethic and always keeps a smile on his face,” Terronez continues. 

Razzak says Machado has had a tremendous impact on him, “He always talks to me after my matches and tells me things I can work on… he’s been instrumental in forming me and my style as a wrestler.”

“He’s the example of what can happen if someone trusts their coach and skills. He makes me very proud to be on the same team.” 

This year Machado qualified for the NAIA national championship. He was SAU’s lone qualifier. Unfortunately, Machado would end his season at the championship, losing his first two matches. 

Machado says despite nationals not going as planned, he still had a great time. He says he does not have any specific goals for next season. He plans to “take it one match at a time.” 

Staying true to himself, he also added, “I gotta help the other teammates grow.”

His teammates say they believe in him.

Terronez asserts, “I can say confidently that Diego is going to do big things next year!”