Volkmann to retire after this season

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September 12, 2014

John Carroll University head coach Kerry Volkmann has announced that 2014-2015 will be his 28th and final season on the bench for the Blue Streaks. Volkmann is a graduate of the school and has coached 46 All-Americans and two NCAA champions. His third dual meet victory this coming season will be his 300th win, and he currently sports a .681 winning percentage as head coach. Read below for the John Carroll release.

Kerry Volkmann Announces 28th Year Will Be His Last As JCU Wrestling Mentor

Kerry Volkmann, who has been the head coach of the storied John Carroll University wrestling program since 1987, has announced that his 28th season at the helm will be his last.

Volkmann informed his team as well as alumni of the program earlier in the week.

“Kerry has represented John Carroll with integrity, in his continued association with numerous alumni, in his recruitment of prospective student athletes and their families, and in his work with the young men he has coached,” said Laurie Massa, Director of Varsity Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll. “His experience and passion has provided leadership in our department and we are grateful for his dedication and for the many lives he has touched while working with us.”

As only the second head coach in wrestling that John Carroll University has ever known, Volkmann took the reigns of the program from his former mentor Tony DeCarlo, who founded the program and coached for 23 years until becoming Athletic Director and football head coach during the 1986-87 school year.

Volkmann, who was inducted into the Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003, has led John Carroll to 10 Ohio Athletic Conference team championships, including four straight titles in 2002-05.

Additionally, Volkmann has led John Carroll to four OAC dual meet championships since the league began recognizing a regular season title in 2000. He is also a 10-time OAC Coach of the Year.

On a national stage, Volkmann’s wrestling teams have placed 15th or better 12 times in 25 trips to the NCAA Division III National Championships. His best finishes have been fourth place in 1989 and 1998 and fifth place in 1992 and 1999.

In 1992, he guided the Blue Streaks to their only Division III National Dual Meet championship.

Many of his charges have enjoyed success on an individual level. Two wrestlers (Mike Gillmor at 142 pounds in 1992 and Rich Eslich at heavyweight in 1999) have won national titles, 46 have earned Division III All-American status, and 72 have captured OAC titles. Most recently, Dan Mirman became the program’s 105th All-American with a sixth-place finish at the national championships in 2014.

In his 27 previous seasons with the Blue Streaks, Volkmann has compiled a career record of 297-138-5 (.681) in dual meet action to become the winningest coach in JCU wrestling history. He picked up his 100th career victory in a contest versus Cortland State on January 12, 1996, and his 200th win against Thiel at the NWCA National Duals on January 20, 2002.

As an athlete at John Carroll, Volkmann amassed a 57-11 record under head coach, Tony DeCarlo. His .838 career-winning percentage ranks eighth in school history, and he posted the first undefeated season at John Carroll when he went 11-0 in 1967-68.

A member of the JCU Athletic Hall of Fame, Volkmann also had a standout football career in college. He played defensive back for the Blue Streak football team along with being named team captain in his senior year for both football and wrestling.

In addition to his duties with the wrestling program, Volkmann served for 24 seasons (1987-10) as the defensive backs coach for the John Carroll football team. He was been part of two OAC championship efforts (1989 and 1994) and three NCAA playoff appearances (1989, 1997 and 2002) in his 24 years at the post.

Volkmann, who is the current longest tenured head coach of any sport at John Carroll, is also the father of a former Blue Streak varsity athlete. His son, Brendon, lettered four times with the Blue Streak baseball team from 1997-00, and graduated from John Carroll in 2000.

Tony Patrizi returns to Heidelberg

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September 9, 2014

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Tony Patrizi, a 2004 graduate of the school, has been named head coach at Heidelberg University. The two time national qualifier has been coaching and teaching at Sycamore Mohawk high school, and he will begin at Heidelberg immediately. Read on for more.

Patrizi named head wrestling coach

TIFFIN — The Heidelberg University wrestling program will have a new leader for the 2014-15 season. Tony Patrizi, a two-time national qualifier and an assistant coach for the Student Princes, will become the 15th head coach in program history. The hiring was announced on Monday by Athletic Director Matt Palm.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to return to the Heidelberg campus as the head wrestling coach,” said Patrizi, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg in 2004 and his master’s degree in 2011. “Since I started here as a student in 2000, this has been my home. I am passionate about the continued success of this program.”

During his tenure as an undergraduate scholar-athlete, Patrizi was a three-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-American. He won two Ohio Athletic Conference titles and was the university’s first recipient of the John Summa Award, given to the OAC’s most outstanding wrestler.

Patrizi, who also played on Heidelberg’s varsity soccer team, won Heidelberg’s prestigious Paul H. Hoernemann award and was the university’s OAC Clyde Lamb male recipient, given to the top male and female scholar-athlete at each of the conference’s 10 members.

After graduating from Heidelberg, Patrizi began teaching and coaching wrestling in the nearby Mohawk School District. Despite having a small squad size, he coached seven state placers and 14 state qualifiers in his four-year stint as head of the Warriors’ wrestling team.

“We are very excited about Tony and what he brings to the wrestling program as a person, a former student-athlete and as a coach,” said Palm. “We look for him to bring his great energy back to Heidelberg and to serve as a positive role model for the men in the program.”

As a graduate assistant under then-head wrestling coach Jason Miller, Patrizi assisted with all aspects of the program, including academic support and recruiting.

“I am very lucky to join a hard-working group of coaches and talented young men who want to be successful,” said Patrizi, who lives in Sycamore with his wife, Erin, and their two children. “We will continue working towards success at the national level not only on the mat but in the classroom as well. I have very high expectations for myself and this program.”

Patrizi, whose appointment begins immediately, takes over the program after the August resignation of Ned Shuck.

As the 2014-15 season begins, the No. 25-ranked Student Princes will train in a new wrestling facility — complete with a two practice mats and locker rooms — located on the ground floor of the new $4.8 million Hoernemann Stadium and The Fox Den Alumni Center. The practice space, which replaces the beloved Tin Gym, will be among the best Division III wrestling facilities in the region.

“We have called the Tin Gym home for many years but it is time to move forward and celebrate the opportunity Heidelberg has given to this program,” said Patrizi, who will retain the current staff — assistant Joe Hada and graduate assistants Justin Wharton and Matt Cross. “Heidelberg will have one of the premier training facilities in Division III wrestling. I can’t wait to break it in.”

Coming off of back-to-back OAC regular season crowns, the Student Princes begin intercollegiate competition in early November at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational.

Baldwin-Wallace Assistant

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September 9, 2014

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Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH has an opening for an assistant wrestling coach.

The position offers housing, a meal plan, and a competitive part-time stipend that is based on experience.

The assistant coach will be responsible in assisting the head coach with the management and administration in all aspects of the wrestling program.

Looking to fill the position immediately. Interviews will begin immediately and candidate will be subject to a criminal background check prior to employment.

All interested applicants please email Head Coach Jamie Gibbs at jgibbs@bw.edu or call 440-596-2336.

Lakeland Assistant Position

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September 3, 2014

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Lakeland Assistant Coach

Position: Assistant Coach – Wrestling
Company: Lakeland College
Job Location(s): Plymouth, WI
Start Date: September-October

Employment Term: Regular
Employment Type: Full Time
Starting Salary Range:

Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Required Experience: Open
Required Security Clearance: None
Related Categories: Sports/Park and Recreation, Education – College/University

Position Description
LAKELAND COLLEGE, an independent liberal arts college and located on a scenic rural campus near Lake Michigan in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, seeks qualified candidates for a full-time Assistant Wrestling Coach. Lakeland College supports 18 successful NCAA Division III athletics programs. This position will report to the Head Coach of Wrestling. The assistant coach would assist the head coach in the administration of all aspects of the wrestling program.

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree and previous college wrestling experience at the DIII level or higher. A solid commitment to the Student-Athlete concept and a working knowledge of NCAA DIII rules and regulations is required.
Responsibilities shall include but not be limited to the following:
Assisting the head coach in development and implementation of training programs and instruction to the athletes. Assist in recruiting and retaining highly qualified student-athletes. Assist and monitoring student-athlete’s academic progress. Assist with the development and directing of Lakeland College Wrestling events (camps/clinics, fundraising events, team socials, etc.) Assist in all aspects of team travel including, scheduling travel arrangements and accommodations. Must be able to establish and maintain effective interaction with students, colleagues, university staff, administrators, alumni and the public. Other duties as assigned by the Head Wrestling Coach and Athletics Director.

Preferred Qualifications:
Should demonstrate a genuine passion for the sport and mentoring student-athletes. Desire and commitment to supporting program vision. Provide strong work ethic and a positive attitude. Ability to support the goals and mission of Lakeland College.

For consideration, please click the link above and submit a letter of interest, current resume and three references. Applications will be accepted until September 12, 2014. For additional information on Lakeland College please visit our website:www.lakeland.edu

Augsburg Wrestling founder passes away at 100

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August 29, 2014

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The following is from Mark Palmer of examiner.com concerning the recent passing of Edor Nelson, the founder of Augsburg’s wrestling team.

Edor Nelson, multi-sport athlete and coach at Augsburg College who launched the school’s now-famous wrestling program, died Wednesday, just nine days after celebrating his 100th birthday, the Minneapolis-based school announced Thursday.

Born August 18, 1914 in Dawson, Minn., Nelson played baseball, football and basketball for the Auggies, earning all-conference honors in baseball and basketball. After graduating from Augsburg in 1938, Nelson moved to Lamberton, Minn., where he was an instructor as well as baseball and basketball coach.

Continue Reading Edor Nelson, founder of Augsburg College wrestling program, dies at 100

Whitewater Assistant Coach Position

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August 28, 2014

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Employer: University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Member of NCAA Division III Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).

Position: Assistant Wrestling Coach/Lecturer

Job Description: The assistant wrestling coach responsibilities range from planning, recruiting, coaching, developing, implementing and communicating to achieve University and Department objectives as well as teaching duties within the Department of HPRC. Goals and objectives are to be developed prior to the beginning of each season with the Head Wrestling Coach. Exhibit behavior that enhances the respect for the student-athletes, the athletics program, the University, and yourself in the conduct of your professional responsibilities. You are required to assist with the program in accordance with NCAA, WIAC, and University rules and regulations.

Qualifications: Masters Degree required. Coaching experience required, proven teaching experience preferred. Candidates must have the ability to manage multiple tasks. Excellent written and oral skills, knowledge of computer applications and software packages, organizational abilities, and event management. Must be able to work weekends/evenings and travel.

Application: A complete electronic application package must include:

A letter of application
Resume/Vita including all relevant professional experience
All undergraduate and graduate transcripts (photocopies are acceptable for initial application)
At least three listed references with contact information

Only complete electronic applications will be considered. Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, lists of applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality.

Submit electronically to:

Ned Shuck, Head Wrestling Coach

shuckn@uww.edu

Review: Applications received by September 10^th are ensured consideration; the position is considered open until otherwise noted.

University: Founded in 1868, UW-Whitewater is a premier public regional university with an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students in 50 undergraduate majors, 13 master’s degree programs, and one specialist degree program. It offers high-quality, career oriented programs with a model general education curriculum. UW-Whitewater is part of the 26-campus University of Wisconsin System.

Community: Whitewater, a city with a population of over 14,000, is located in southeastern Wisconsin near the scenic Kettle Moraine State Forest. The immediate area offers a wide variety of summer and winter recreational activities, including facilities of the nearby Whitewater Lake recreational area. Whitewater is 50 miles from Milwaukee, 45 miles from Madison and 110 miles from Chicago.

UW-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and all veterans. Names of applications may be disclosed unless requested otherwise. Names of finalists will be released. UW-Whitewater conducts criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.

Case wrestlers in plane crash

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August 26, 2014

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Four Case Western Reserve University students, including three wrestlers, were killed in a small plan crash on Monday night. The four students were in a rented Cessna, and the NTSB is reporting that the plan experienced problems shortly after takeoff. The pilot attempted to return to the airport and land but crashed near the Cuyahoga County Airport near Cleveland.

The pilot, William Felten, was not a member of the wrestling team, but passengers Lucas Marcelli, Abraham Pishevar, and John Hill were set to compete for the Spartans this year. Marcelli won 30 matches as a freshman for Case last year, while Pishevar and Hill were incoming freshmen.

Thanks to TheOpenMat.com for notification of this story.

Four College Students Killed in Ohio Plane Crash, including three Case Western wrestlers (The Open Mat)

NTSB: Plane attempted to turn back and land (WKYC.com)

Four Case Western Students Killed In Plane Crash (WOSU.org)

Ned Shuck to Whitewater

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August 25, 2014

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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has named Heidelberg head coach Ned Shuck as their new head coach. Shuck takes over a team that placed second in the NCAA Championships and will be one of the favorites for the team championship in 2015. Shuck spent three seasons as the head coach at Heidelberg after a stint as an assistant coach at Augsburg. Read below for more.

Shuck Named Head Wrestling Coach

Ned Shuck has been hired as head wrestling coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the institution announced Monday, August 25.

Shuck begins his tenure with the Warhawks after serving as head wrestling coach at Heidelberg University, an NCAA Division III institution in Tiffin, Ohio.

During his three years at Heidelberg, Shuck led the Student Princes to consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference championships (2012-13, 2013-14) and mentored 22 All-OAC selections, four academic all-conference honorees, seven National Wrestling Coaches Association Academic All-Americans and six individual NCAA qualifiers, including one All-American. He was selected OAC Coach of the Year last season.

“We are excited to welcome Ned and his family to UW-Whitewater,” director of athletics Amy Edmonds said. “We are very impressed with his level of expertise and the success he has had in coaching at the Division III level. We are confident that Ned will continue our wrestling program’s success while fostering the best possible environment for our student-athletes to succeed both on and off the mat.”

While at Heidelberg, Shuck managed all facets of the wrestling program, including academic performance, fundraising, marketing, camps, alumni relations and community service.

Shuck served as an assistant coach at perennial national power Augsburg (Minn.) from 2009-11. He helped lead the Augies to the 2010 NCAA Division III championship and a runner-up performance at the 2011 national championships. Shuck helped coach 13 All-Americans, four national finalists and one national champion during his tenure at Augsburg.

“I would like to thank chancellor Richard Telfer, director of athletics Amy Edmonds and associate director of athletics Bob Lanza for their confidence in me to lead the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestlers to excellence in the classroom, on the mat and in life,” Shuck said. “My family and I are thrilled to be members of the UW-Whitewater family and the Whitewater community. The wrestling program has a tremendous tradition of excellence and I look forward to honoring that by building men of character as we strive for national championships.”

During his career, Shuck also served as an assistant coach with the Ohio Cadet/Junior National Team (2012-14) and as head coach for the Minnesota Storm Freestyle Cadet team (2009-11). He was a full scholarship recipient for the NWCA Leadership Academy in 2011.

Shuck wrestled at the University of Iowa from 2000-05. He was a four-time letter winner and three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection for the Hawkeyes.

Shuck inherits a Warhawks program that has finished among the top 10 in NCAA Division III in each of the last three seasons. UW-Whitewater won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the third straight year and finished as the national runner-up, the program’s best-ever finish, in 2013-14. Five student-athletes earned All-America accolades.

In addition to his coaching duties, Shuck will be an instructor for UW-Whitewater’s Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching department. He begins in September.

Shuck and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Lukas (4 years old) and Micah (1).

Joe Norton returns to North Central

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August 25, 2014

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Former North Central College wrestler and assistant coach has returned to his alma mater to become the newest head coach for the Cardinals. Norton spent one season as the head coach at Knox College following two seasons as a graduate assistant at North Central. He won 94 matches for the Cardinals, placing in the regional tournament all four years. He returns to a North Central team that has a national qualifier and four regional placewinners back for 2014-2015.

Knox has begun its search for a replacement, and the job listing can be found below.

Head Wrestling Coach

Knox College invites applications for the position of Head Wrestling Coach. The position is full-time, 12 months, and begins no later than October 1, 2014. Salary and benefits for the position are competitive.

Knox College is a vibrant community of scholar-teachers and students with a tradition of free inquiry, independent thought, and diverse perspectives. We seek an individual thoroughly committed to the ideals of a liberal arts education who will engage with the entire campus to bring wrestling at Knox College to the next level of competitiveness. The successful candidate will have a focus on supporting student-athlete success. More information about Knox College can be found at www.knox.edu. Information on Knox College Athletics is available at www.prairiefire.knox.edu.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The head coach is responsible for all aspects of the wrestling program including: organizing and implementing a successful recruiting/retention plan, integrating the wrestling program into the campus community, supervising practices/contests, managing the program operating budget, and managing the program in accordance with department/college/NCAA rules and regulations. Additional duties will be assigned depending on qualifications of the selected candidate.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, with at least four years of relevant experience. Candidates should possess excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and a commitment to the academic development of student-athletes. Experience in a residential liberal arts setting would also be beneficial.

Application: Send cover letter, resume including contact information for three references, Applicant Information Form to Barbara Schulze, or to Knox College, 2 E. South St., K-200, Galesburg, IL 61401. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Offseason Coaching Change Recap

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August 20, 2014

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As of 1:20pm Eastern on August 20th, North Central and Whitewater still had not announced new head coaches, but with the school year starting soon, announcements should be coming soon.

Stevens, March 27: Clayton Joins USA Wrestling

Platteville, April 11: Walter Steps Down at Platteville

Daniel Webster, May 8: John Archambeau first ever coach at Daniel Webster

St. John’s, May 9: Novak to football full time, Willaert takes over at St. John’s

Ozarks, May 28: Jason Zastrow hired to lead University of the Ozarks

Buena Vista, June 9: Breese to lead Buena Vista

Platteville, June 11: DeRoehn Takes Over Platteville

Coast Guard, June 18: Bratland moves to Coast Guard

Stevens, June 28: Favia stays on at Stevens

Muskingum, July 16: Zach Mizer to coach Muskingum

Augsburg, July 29: Mark Matzek resigns at Augsburg

Lakeland, July 29: Quincy Osborn to lead Lakeland

Whitewater, August 7: Tim Fader-UWW Update

Jake Calhoun Liver Transplant

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August 8, 2014

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Click below to find out more about Muhlenberg head coach Jake Calhoun and his recent liver transplant surgery. He was preparing for the Greco-Roman World Team Trials in Daytona Beach, Florida, when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. On June 23rd, he received a liver transplant. Find more information about Coach Calhoun as well as how to donate at his page on the National Foundation for Transplants website.

Jacob Calhoun’s Personal Page for NFT

Tim Fader-UWW Update

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August 7, 2014

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The article linked below appeared on the Rockford Register Star website on August 5th and provides a few more details about the dismissal of University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Head Coach Tim Fader. Also included below is a link to the Department of Education release concerning an investigation of 55 schools with suspected Title IX violations. This investigation is referenced in the Rockford Register Star article.

Wrestling coach seeks answers to dismissal

U.S. Department of Education Releases List of Higher Education Institutions with Open Title IX Sexual Violence Investigations

Phase 2 trials videos online now

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July 31, 2014

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Click for all of the videos from Phase 2 of the World Team Trials featuring former and current DIII wrestlers. Joe Rau and Anthony Bonaventura both competed at 80kg with Rau winning the spot on the World Team.

These videos are free to watch on YouTube

Rau: Round 1 | Quarters | Semis | Finals 1 | Finals 2

Bonaventura: Round 1 | Consolation Round 1

Quincy Osborn to lead Lakeland

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July 29, 2014

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Former University at Buffalo assistant coach Quincy Osborn has been selected as the next head coach at Lakeland College. Osborn replaces Mike DeRoehn, who left this summer to take over Wisconsin-Platteville. Osborn was an NCAA Champion for Augsburg and an NCAA qualifier for the University of Minnesota. He has coaching stops at Augsburg and Ohio University along with his previous post at Buffalo. Read on for more.

Osborn named new Lakeland head wrestling coach

Lakeland College has named Quincy Osborn as its new head wrestling coach, Lakeland Vice President for Athletics and Wellness Nate Dehne has announced.

Osborn comes to Lakeland from the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was an assistant coach at the NCAA Division I school this past year. He replaces Mike DeRoehn, who resigned in May after four years at Lakeland to take the head coaching job at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

“We are very excited to welcome Quincy and his wife Hannah to the Lakeland College family,” said Dehne. “Quincy’s accomplishments and experience on the mat, along with his desire to mentor and guide our student athletes in all aspects of their personal and professional lives make him a great match for our program. We look forward to his continuing to build on the foundation built by our former coaches and student-athletes.”

Osborn has seven years of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division I and III levels and also competed at both levels. He spent the last five years in the Division I Mid-American Conference, coaching at Ohio University for four years before going to Buffalo. This past year with the Bulls, he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, as well as serving as an adjunct instructor for the school.

Osborn began his college coaching career at Augsburg (Minn.) College as an assistant coach and assistant camp director. He began his coaching career after completing his collegiate wrestling career at the NCAA Division III power. Wrestling at Augsburg as a senior, Osborn was the Division III champion at 141 lbs. and led the Auggies to the team national championship.

Osborn began his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota, where he was a three-year letter winner. He was a two-time NCAA Division I national championships qualifier, reaching the national championships as a sophomore at 133 lbs. and as a junior at 149 lbs.

“I would like to thank Mr. Dehne and Lakeland College for giving me the opportunity to be a head coach and lead a program,” said Osborn. “I would also like to thank my family, friends, and mentors for support and guidance, (and) I also owe thanks to Augsburg, Ohio, and Buffalo. I have learned a lot from those experiences and opportunities.

“I am extremely excited to lead the Lakeland College wrestling team. The program is in a solid position and the goal will be to take the team to the next level. I look forward to learning the community and getting to know the athletes and staff in addition to building connections with the alumni and support base.

“The expectations of the program will be simple: the team will prepare and compete in a way that promotes winning at the highest level,” said Osborn. “The program will emphasize living a championship lifestyle on and off the mat. There will be a lot of work ahead and I can’t wait to get started!”

A native of Grand Rapids, Minn., Osborn received his bachelor’s degree in history from Augsburg in 2009 and his master’s in coaching education from Ohio University in 2011. Osborn is married to wife Hannah, and they are owners of two cats and a dog.

Mark Matzek resigns at Augsburg

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July 29, 2014

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Mark Matzek has resigned as head coach at Augsburg College. Matzek spent six years as head coach, finishing in the top ten at the NCAA Championships all six years while winning the 2010 NCAA Championship. He was a two time NCAA Champion at 133 lbs. for the Auggies, graduating in 2005.

Top assistant Jim Moulsoff will be the interim coach for the 2014-2015 season with Tony Valek moving from a graduate fellowship role to top assistant. Moulsoff has been an assistant at Augsburg for six seasons, while Valek has spent the last two as a graduate fellow in the athletic department immediately following his career with the Auggies.

Read on for the release from Augsburg

Mark Matzek resigns as Augsburg wrestling coach

7/28/2014 5:43:00 PM
MINNEAPOLIS — Mark Matzek, who led the Augsburg College wrestling program to top-10 national tournament finishes in each of his six years as head coach, has announced his resignation, college officials said on Monday.

A 2005 Augsburg alumnus, Matzek is returning to his hometown of Ellsworth, Wis., where he will become a mathematics teacher at Ellsworth Middle School, pending the Ellsworth School Board’s approval. Matzek will also serve as a coach at the high school level.

Jim Moulsoff, who has served as an assistant coach on Matzek’s staff for six seasons, will serve as interim head coach during the 2014-15 season, while a national coaching search takes place, said Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson. Moulsoff will be the 10th head coach in the history of the Augsburg wrestling program.

Jim Moulsoff

In addition, Tony Valek, a 2012 Augsburg alumnus who has served as an assistant coach in the Augsburg graduate fellowship program for the past two seasons, will move into Moulsoff’s former role as the team’s top assistant coach, also on an interim basis for the 2014-15 season.

“I wish Mark and his family the very best as he pursues a new challenge in his life. There is no stronger draw for Mark than going back home and being in the community that he was raised in,” Swenson said. “I thank Mark for six years of exceptional service to Augsburg College, the athletic program and the wrestling program. His coaching record speaks for itself.”

Under Matzek’s leadership, Augsburg continued its reputation as one of the top small-college wrestling programs in the nation. The Auggies won the NCAA Division III national title in the 2009-10 season, while finishing second in 2008-09, 2010-11 and 2011-12, fifth in 2013-14 and 10th in 2012-13.

Augsburg wrestlers earned 30 All-American honors and five individual national championships during Matzek’s tenure as head coach. Augsburg squads won NCAA regional titles in each of his six seasons, with 25 individual regional titlists. The Auggies recorded a 55-21-1 dual-meet record over the past six seasons.

Academically, Matzek’s teams finished in the top 10 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Scholar All-America Team listing each of the last three seasons, including earning the academic national title in 2011-12 with a 3.7341 team grade-point average. Auggie wrestlers earned 22 NWCA Scholar All-America honors and two Capital One Academic All-America (CoSIDA) honors in Matzek’s six seasons as head coach.

“This is the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life, because I love both Augsburg and the community I came from,” said Matzek. “Having a child in February reinforced my values that I want to have more time with my family, and the best way for me to do that is to teach and coach at Ellsworth.

“It’s tough to leave because we have seven starters returning (to Augsburg) this year and with the addition of some great personnel, Augsburg is ready make a run this year. I’m confident, that with the new leadership in place with Jim and Tony, that the student-athletes in the program have nothing to be worried about. I truly believe that the relationships I’ve had with the people at Augsburg, and the values they have, are what brought me there as an undergrad and kept me there as an employee. It is a great place.”

Matzek served on the Augsburg wrestling coaching staff for nine seasons, including two as an assistant coach under Swenson and one under Sam Barber in 2007-08. As an assistant coach, Matzek was a part of Auggie squads that won the national title in 2006-07 and finished third in both 2005-06 and 2007-08. In his nine seasons on the Augsburg staff, the Auggies claimed 50 All-Americans and nine individual national championships, while going 82-27-1 in dual meets.

Matzek was one of the top lightweight wrestlers in Augsburg history. He earned 133-pound All-American honors three times and won national titles twice in his career, finishing with a 129-21 record. In 2002-03, he finished fourth nationally with a 40-7 record, then won his first national title in the 2003-04 season, finishing 35-4. He finished his career with a 42-match winning streak, which included a 34-0 mark in his senior season as he repeated as national champion — joining a select group of nine Auggie wrestlers in school history to win multiple national championships. He was a part of two national title teams and two national runner-up squads.

Academically, Matzek was a three-time NWCA Scholar All-American, a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree three times, and a CoSIDA Academic All-America first-team selection in 2005. He was named an Augsburg Honor Athlete in 2005. He was a mathematics and secondary education major at Augsburg.

Moulsoff is a well-known figure in Minnesota’s wrestling community, having served as a high school coach for 18 seasons before joining the Augsburg coaching staff in 2008. He was promoted to a full-time assistant coaching position prior to the 2010-11 season, serving as the top assistant coach on the Augsburg staff. He also is the director of the James Haglund Family Fitness and Recreation Center in the Augsburg Athletic Department.

In 2013-14, Moulsoff was named West Region Assistant Coach of the Year by his coaching peers during the NCAA West Regional at Augsburg.

“I’m very humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead such a historic program. We’ve got a lot of good pieces in place, because of the work that Mark has done. I’d like to thank Mark for the opportunity to work with him,” Moulsoff said. “The future looks very positive. Mark did great work with the program behind the scenes, and we hope to continue that work. We are looking forward to working with the coaching staff and the entire athletic department. We have a great recruiting class coming in, and we have a great group of athletes returning to the program.”

Prior to joining the Auggie staff, Moulsoff spent 15 years as head coach of the Minnehaha Academy High School wrestling program (1993-2008). In the 2002-03 season, Moulsoff led the Redhawk program to a 12-5 dual meet record and earned the Metro Alliance Conference Coach of the Year honors. He was an assistant coach at Whapeton (N.D.) High School from 1990-93.

In addition to his experience at the high school level, Moulsoff has been active as a coach in many levels of amateur wrestling and has served as the cadet director for Minnesota/USA Wrestling.

A native of Breckenridge, Minn., Moulsoff wrestled competitively at the North Dakota State College of Science from 1981-83, and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota in 2003.

Tony Valek

Valek was a three-time All-American and four-time national tournament qualifier during his Augsburg career, finishing with a 136-25 record, including 87 bonus-point victories (60 pins, six technical falls, 21 major decisions). He was a national runner-up at 149 pounds in both 2010-11 and 2009-10, while finishing third in 2011-12.

Valek was a top performer in the classroom as well, as he was named to the Capital One Academic All-America men’s at-large first team twice during his four-year career. He earned NWCA Division III Scholar All-America honors his final three seasons, and was named as the recipient of the NCAA Elite 89 Award as the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average at the 2012 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships.

Valek was the first Augsburg student-athlete ever to be named as a first-team CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree twice. A native of Belle Plaine, Minn., Valek graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and management from Augsburg in 2012. Valek is currently pursuing a master’s degree in leadership at Augsburg.

“As we embark on a new era for Augsburg wrestling, I am confident that we have the perfect duo in Jim Moulsoff and Tony Valek to lead us through this transition.” Swenson said. “Jim has a proven track record in coaching at all levels, and has earned the respect of all the student-athletes he has touched. This past season, Jim was named West Region Assistant Coach of the Year. We are fortunate to have Jim as our interim head coach, as he is an excellent coach, leader and person. In his short time at Augsburg as an assistant coach, Tony has shown that he is a great leader on and off the mat. As a NCAA Elite 89 award-winner and three-time All-American, he has demonstrated the ability to get the job done in all facets of his life and is a great leader by example.”

NYU Seeks Volunteer Assistant

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July 25, 2014

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NYU is searching for a volunteer assistant to work with their upper weights. Interested applicants should contact Bruce Haberli at 212-998-2050.

Rau wins spot on Greco World Team

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July 23, 2014

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Joe Rau, the 2013 NCAA Champion at 184 lbs. for Elmhurst, won five matches yesterday to secure a spot at 80kg on the US World Team in Greco-Roman. He will compete in the World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in September. He finished off the tournament with a two match sweep in the finals, winning a pair of 1-0 decisions over 2012 Olympian Ben Provisor in the finals. Rau has wrestled at 85kg and 96kg in the past, but made a tough cut to the non-Olympic weight of 80kg (176.4 lbs) a lighter weight than he wrestled at any point in college.

Round 1 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Patrick Martinez (Florida Jets) (Dec 4-2)
Quarterfinal – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Jon Anderson (Army (WCAP)) (Dec 7-1)
Semifinal – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) tech fall over Zak Benitz (Peacock Mat Club) (TF 10-1)
Finals Round 1 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Ben Provisor (NYAC) (Dec 1-0)
Finals Round 2 – Joe Rau (Minnesota Storm) decision over Ben Provisor (NYAC) (Dec 1-0)

Match Video (requires FloPro): Quarters | Semis | Final 1 | Final 2

Anthony Bonaventura of Waynesburg also competed at 80kg, dropping both of his matches.

DIII at Phase II Trials

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July 21, 2014

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A pair of wrestlers with DIII connections will be competing in tomorrow’s Greco-Roman Phase II trials as the non-Olympic weight of 80kg. 2013 184 lbs. NCAA Champion Joe Rau, former of Elmhurst, will be the #5 seed and qualified by winning the University National championship at 85kg. 2014 174 lbs. runner-up Anthony Bonaventura of Waynesburg is unseeded and qualified via his top three finish at the 2014 NCAA Championships. The tournament begins at 9:00am Central time on Tuesday the 22nd in the Fargodome. The matches can be viewed live via a FloPro subscription.

Bonaventura is the third Division III athlete to compete in the trials based on his finish at the 2014 NCAA Championships. Messiah’s Lucas Malmberg and Kaleb Loht both competed last month in Daytona Beach. Augsburg’s Mike Fuenffinger was the champion at the Northern Plains Regional and thus qualified via Greco-Roman competition, but he also would have qualified based on his NCAA Championship in March.

Event Website | Live Results

Zach Mizer to coach Muskingum

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July 16, 2014

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Zach Mizer, a former NCAA runner-up for Heidelberg, has been named the head coach at OAC competitor Muskingum. Mizer was a graduate assistant at Heidelberg before spending the last three seasons as the assistant at Buena Vista. He also was one of the coaches for the 2014 Division III Cultural Exchange.

Muskingum names Zach Mizer wrestling coach

Zach Mizer has been named head coach of the Muskingum University wrestling team.

Mizer arrives in New Concord after serving the past three years as assistant wrestling coach at Buena Vista University. At Buena Vista, Mizer assisted in all areas of the wrestling program including recruiting coordination, organizing and executing practice plans, arranging team travel, assisting in fundraising and reviewing match film with the student-athletes. During his tenure, Mizer coached one national qualifier, three Academic All-Americans and aided in one wrestler setting the school record for pins (18).

Following the 2013-14 wrestling campaign, Mizer served as co-coach for a group of 12 wrestlers from across the United States that took a trip overseas to practice and compete in Istanbul, Bulgaria, Bucharest and Paris.

“Zach brings a wealth of wrestling experience and knowledge to Muskingum,” said Muskingum Athletic Director Larry Shank. “I’m looking forward to Zach building a successful wrestling program.”

A 2010 graduate of Heidelberg University with a B.S. in history, Mizer was a four-year letterwinner, three-time national qualifier and two-time MVP for the Student Princes. He posted a career record of 112-42, including a pair of 30-win campaigns, and is second on the school’s all-time career list for wins. Mizer ended his senior year as national runner-up in the 157-pound weight class. He was also a key member of four consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference tournament championship teams and two OAC regular season championship squads. Mizer was the OAC Champion at 149 pounds in 2008.

Following graduation, Mizer remained with the program and served as a graduate assistant coach from 2010-12. During that time, Mizer coached 10 All-OAC wrestlers, six Academic All-Americans and four national qualifiers.

Southern Virginia Wrestling to DIII

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July 10, 2014

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Southern Virginia University has been competing as a varsity NCWA team, but for the 2014-2015 season, the team will compete in Division III. SVU will become the third Division III school in Virginia to compete in wrestling along with Ferrum and Washington & Lee. Southern Virginia is just seven miles from Washington & Lee and is situated in Buena Vista, Virginia. Read for more.

Southern Virginia Wrestling Elevated to NCAA Status

BUENA VISTA, Va.—With a proud tradition and successful history, the Southern Virginia University wrestling program will remove its club status and become an NCAA Division III varsity program beginning the 2014-15 season.

Southern Virginia becomes just the third school in the state of Virginia to offer NCAA Division III wrestling, joining Ferrum College and Washington & Lee University.

“We’re excited to add wrestling as an official sport at Southern Virginia and continue the proud history of the program,” said Director of Athletics Jason Lamb. “Our wrestling program is the only one offered in a Latter-day Saint environment, so to become an official sport will attract additional wrestlers who want live by the code of honor and compete at an NCAA level. Coach Davis is doing a great job with the team and we’re excited to see them compete at a higher standard of competition.”

This past season, the wrestling club sent six individuals to the National Collegiate Wrestling Association championships while five were named USCAA All-Academic recipients. Junior Coulter Sims was additionally recognized as an NWCA All-Academic recipient.

“We are very excited to compete at a higher level and see how we match up on a national stage,” said head wrestling coach Logan Davis. “This is the next step in our evolution and we are prepared to meet the new challenges that will be presented. A varsity wrestling program pairs very well with the overall mission of the school. Wrestling is about more than brute strength – it’s about developing the complete self. I believe we can quickly rise to national recognition.

“There is a lot of untapped wrestling talent out there and I believe recruits will see the commitment of the university to its wrestling program and desire to join our team.”

The wrestling program at Southern Virginia has compiled 17 NCWA All-Americans since the 1999-2000 season, including two national champions in Nate Casperson (2000) and three-time champ Peter Rose (2008-10). A multitude of others have been recognized as a USCAA Wrestler of the Week or Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) first-team honoree.

Roster spots are still available for the 2014-15 season and prospective scholar-athletes are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office at 540-261-8401.

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