Nate Moore on road to recovery after battling staph infection

By Matt Pfiffner
University of Iowa wrestler Nate Moore was in an unfamiliar position Saturday in Des Moines. Instead of competing for the Hawkeyes at the Grand View University Open, he was sitting in the corner coaching his teammates.

As most wrestling fans know, Moore was hospitalized in mid-January after his knee showed signs of infection at a chiropractic appointment and he was running a fever. After several tests and an IV did nothing, it was found out that Moore had a staph infection. He underwent surgery and spent eight days in the hospital, some of those in the ICU on an air mask because of walking pneumonia, which added to his troubles.

After going home for two days, Moore still didn't feel quite right. Another visit to the doctor showed he also needed surgery on the left shoulder and it was done immediately.

Moore's strength is returning and he is getting around much better now and is beginning to put the weight back on he lost during his ordeal.

"Every day it's just another step," Moore said Saturday in Des Moines. "I can honestly say I feel better every day. I'm not just saying that. I can feel my body getting stronger every day."

While sitting in the corner helping to coach some of his former Iowa City West teammates and current Hawkeyes Dylan Carew, Derek St. John and Grant Gambrall, Moore also had to keep hold of a bag that is connected to an IV in his arm.

"My body will be healed within weeks. But they're going to keep this IV in me for up to six weeks to make sure they stomp out this infection," Moore said.

The former Iowa City West two-time State champion said he plans on being ready to wrestle freestyle after the college season is over.