Augustana College Athletics

In the history of the storied Augustana wrestling program, only four Vikings have ever compiled more career victories than the 143 that Nathan Cross logged from 1997-2001 and only one has ever posted more wins in a season than the 49 Cross had in 1997-98. For those and numerous other accomplishments, his alma mater welcomes the four-time CCIW champion and three-time All-American into its Tribe of Vikings Hall of Fame class of 2014.
 
After posting a 36-2 record at 140 pounds as a senior co-captain at Moline High School, qualifying for state individually and helping the Maroons to the quarterfinals of the state team duals, Cross came to Augustana to wrestle for Coach Kevin Puebla.
 
Competing at 142 pounds as a freshman in 1997-98, Cross went 49-13, tying Steve Rusk’s previous school record for victories in a season. Teammate Brad Schnowske’s 52 wins that season set a new mark, but Cross is still tied with Rusk for second-most ever at Augustana. Nathan went on to claim the CCIW 142-pound title and place eighth at nationals, earning All-America honors and helping the Vikings to a 38th-place finish as a team.
 
Moving up to 149 pounds as a sophomore, Cross fashioned a 36-9 record and won another conference championship. He again qualified for the national meet, where the Vikings finished 22nd in the team standings. After just two seasons, his 85 career wins were already 15th all-time at Augustana.
 
As a junior, Cross captured his third consecutive conference title, defeating Sean Collins of Wheaton 3-1 for the CCIW 149-pound crown. At the Great Lakes Regional in Elmhurst, Illinois, Nathan scored a 4-1 decision over Sam Buckett of Lawrence to win a regional championship. At the 2000 NCAA Division III Championships in Ada, Ohio, Cross finished sixth at 149 pounds to earn All-America honors for the second time and help the Vikings again finish 22nd. He finished the season with a 33-7 record.
 
Cross wrapped up his tremendous career under a new head coach, Pat Marsh, in 2000-01. He won 149-pound titles at the Coe Turkey Invitational and Augustana Invitational. His Augie Invite championship was his fourth in a row and he was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. At the CCIW tournament, he again defeated Collins—2-1 this time—for the 149-pound title and was named that meet’s Most Outstanding Wrestler as well. He went on to earn All-America honors for the third time at the national meet in Waterloo, Iowa, finishing seventh at 149 pounds and helping the Vikings improve to 19th in the team standings. Cross finished the season with a record of 25-6 and was winner of the team’s Hardest Worker Award. In addition, he was named an NCAA Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar Athlete.
 
Nathan, who majored in art education and studio art, graduated from Augustana in 2001. He currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife of 11 years, Jaime, and sons Caeden, Judah, Seth Oliver and Benjamin. Somehow, he also finds time to operate three businesses that he owns—Cross & Co. Custom Landscapes, Charlie Fog Films and MIG Soap & Body 6 — while also serving as a youth pastor and music team leader at church.
 
Cross called his time at Augustana “a wonderful experience.”