Athlete of the Month
Nat’anni (Nate) Prado

Pictures and Content courtesy of Nat’anni (Nate) Prado

Hi, I’m Nat’aani (Nate) Prado, and I was just surprised to be elected Wrestler of the Month for the second time! The last time this happened, I was a junior in high school, and my mom actually wrote my bio because I wasn’t the best at writing back then. Now that my writing has improved, you’re able to hear directly from me about my experiences.
My Journey to Baker University Going into my senior year of high school, I had already committed to Baker University, even before classes started. A few other colleges reached out to recruit me, but I just knew Baker was where I belonged. This decision really helped reduce my stress during my final year of high school. During that time, I also accomplished my biggest goals: becoming a State Champion and an All-American. With that chapter closed, I was ready for college.
You might be wondering why I chose Baker. Well, there are a few key reasons. The biggest one was the chance to be on the same team as my older brother, Saoul Prado. Then there’s Coach Jimmy May, a living legend and the first wrestler in the Nevada Hall of Fame. Finally, education was a major factor. I’m studying exercise science, which will help me achieve my goal of becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic.
My Freshman Year: On the Mat and in the Classroom I’ve just completed my freshman year of college, and wrestling at the collegiate level has been both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. I really wanted to prove I belonged there. I was a backup at the 133 lb weight class, and the best feeling of the season was being on the same team as my brother again. In one tournament, we both placed—he got second, and I got fourth. That’s also where I got my eyebrow cut open, but thankfully, it healed quickly! We even got to wrestle in a dual together, which was awesome. That night, four Nevada wrestlers—my brother at 125, myself at 133, Christian Nishi-Rivera at 141, and Nikolas Slatoff at 149—won their matches back-to-back.
My classes and schoolwork have been a new experience, and I’ve quickly learned how helpful study sessions and tutoring are for retaining what I learn in class. My hardest class in the first semester was Biology, which I remember taking in high school. I quickly realized how different it was in college, and that’s when I learned that going to student-led study sessions is super important. The students leading them have already passed the class and know what to expect on exams. For my second semester, my favorite class was Introduction to Applied Health Sciences. I learned about how our healthcare systems help with different diseases. For a project, I created a website and posted it on Instagram, discussing the effects of cutting weight in wrestling. It got a bit over 5,000 views! Here is the link if you would like to check it out Effects of Cutting Weight in Wrestling
My Advice for Choosing a College In conclusion, when choosing a college as a high school student, I believe it’s important to look beyond a school’s reputation. Instead, focus on how the environment and community make you feel. After all, these are the people and surroundings you’ll be interacting with every day.
Here is the link to Nat’anni’s First Athlete of the Month for NVSportsLocal Nat’anni (Nate) Prado Part 1