by Bruce Conley
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Nate Herda is a wrestler’s wrestler.
From appearance to performance, Augustana’s 149-pounder projects the popular conception of a wrestler.
“I get that a lot,” Herda says. “Even before my ears got mangled people would say I look like a wrestler.”
Nate Herda
Augustana head coach Jason Reitmeier aptly describes the two-time All-America as “intense.” Opponents are likely to agree.
“Nate is really talented,” says Tom Meester, Augustana assistant coach and long-time friend of the Herda family. “Whether he wins by one point or eight, his guy will be exhausted. Nate’s a grinder and hard to score on. When he comes off the mat you know he has given it his all. He could be the poster boy for Viking wrestling.”
Herda’s intensity is not confined to the mat. He is an honor student in pursuit of a career in health care. And, a 73-28 record after three seasons places him among Augustana’s elite student-athletes.
Coming from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Herda arrived at Augustana with a national championship a priority.
As a redshirt freshman he was tabbed rookie of the year in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). He earned All-NSIC first team recognition, won the Super Region Three championship, and claimed All-America distinction with a fourth-place finish at nationals.
Sophomore year achievements included repeating as an All-NSIC first team choice, runner-up at Super Region Three, third at nationals, and a spot on the Division II All-Academic team.
Last year, despite losing the extreme tips of two fingers in a summer work mishap, Herda won 22 of 25 matches. For the third time he was first team all-conference, won his second Super Region Three crown, and put together a 14-match win string before nationals. Academically, he was named to both NSIC and Division II teams.
In the first half of the 2012-13 campaign, his competition included five Division I wrestlers. He disposed of three of them. The setbacks were to Air Force’s Cole VonOhlen, ranked fifth nationally, and No. 10 Jake Sueflohn from Nebraska.
“They were both really tough, but I feel I’m wrestling at a high level right now,” says Herda.
He is acutely aware of what is required to reach a college wrestler’s ultimate goal.
“When I came to Augustana my goal was to win four national titles. I was right there my freshman and sophomore years. Last year the accident set me back a little but I felt I was wrestling well at regionals. It wasn’t my day at nationals but in a way I guess it was a good thing because it made me appreciate what it takes to be a national champion. It is never going to be handed to you.”
Herda’s effort on the mat has always been of the highest caliber. He finished eighth in Iowa state tournament action his freshman year at Central Lyon and fifth as a sophomore. He lost once as a junior and senior, while capturing two state championships. His prep career ended with 177 wins and just 15 losses.
A memorable prep achievement was a 43-0 record as a senior, which led to the distinction as Iowa’s most valuable Class IA wrestler. He graduated as the Lions’ leader for career wins, career takedowns, and most season wins.
“Those were definitely funs years,” Herda says. “There was a lot of individual and team success. It was a blast coming from a high school that had so much success.”
Meester was not only a role model to Herda, but also a big contributor to the Lions’ wrestling success. He holds the school record for most pins in a season, is a member of the 100-win club, and twice finished in the top three at state. He won two national championships competing for Augustana.
“My family moved to Rock Rapids when I was in the sixth grade,” Meester says. “Nate’s brother was my best friend. Our parents are good friends. I was still competing for Augustana when Nate started coming to camps. A lot of schools made him offers and I sure wanted him to come to Augustana. But, I wanted the choice to be his and not because we knew each other. You might think Nate knew me so well he would choose to slack off, but it’s just the opposite. He works hard and listens to everything we say.”
Academics, location, and a history of wrestling success all attracted Herda to Augustana. “It was the right fit for me,” he says. “The transition of being a friend of Tom’s to him being my coach went smoothly and I am grateful for how much he and Jason have done for me.”
As a team captain and one of two seniors on the roster, Herda is comfortable with a leadership role.
“I feel like I’ve been a leader the last two years. I’m not real vocal and try to lead by example. If I can give the younger guys anything, it’s how to carry yourself as a member of the Augustana team.”
Spoken like a wrestler’s wrestler.