Augustana names Juergens as coach
Augustana names two time NCAA Division I champion Eric Juergens to take over wrestling program
16 Oct 2007
Eric Juergens, a two time NCAA Division I national champion, has been named as the interim head wrestling coach at Augustana, it was announced today. He replaces Pat Marsh, who resigned his position at the end of September to become the city administrator in Monona, Wisconsin. Marsh was the head coach for seven seasons, compiling a record of 66-45-1 and leading the Vikings to four College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin team championships.
“I want to thank the administration for giving me the chance as a head coach,†said Juergens. “My intentions and goals will be very simple. I have been coached by some of the greatest names in the sport of wrestling, guys like Dan Gable, Jim Zalesky, Tom and Terry Brands and Lincoln McIlravy just to name a few. I want to take the very methods and techniques that I have learned over the course of my own career and implement them at Augustana.â€
Juergens had a prolific career as a competitor. Wrestling at the University of Iowa, he won individual national titles both as a junior (1999-00) and as a senior (2000-01). He was third in the NCAA tournament in his freshman (1997-98) and sophomore (1998-99) seasons. As a senior he served as team captain and was the Hawkeye’s Most Valuable Performer. He was the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year and selected as the University of Iowa’s “Male Athlete of the Yearâ€.
During his junior campaign he had an undefeated 33-0 record en route to his first national title. Along the way he won the Big Ten title and was the champion at the Midlands Tournament. He was given the Art Kraft “Champion of Champions†award at the Midlands.
He finished third in the Big Ten both his freshman and sophomore seasons prior to placing third in the national meet each year. He was named the NCAA “Freshman of the Year†at the completion of the 1997-98 season.
His high school career at Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa, Iowa was one of unparalleled success. He was 144-0 during his four year, compiling 100 pins and winning four straight state titles. He was the Northern Plains Regional champion and was first team Amateur Wrestling News All-American. He was a second team Asics Tiger All-American as well. He placed second at Cadet Nationals as a sophomore and was an honor roll student.
Juergens graduated from the University of Iowa in 2001 with a B.A. degree in English. He served as a volunteer assistant coach at Augustana in 2006-07 and before that he spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant at Loras. He is the owner of Young Guns Wrestling Club and served as the camp director for the University of Iowa Wrestling Camps from 1998 until 2002.
“We are excited to be able to hand over the Augustana wrestling program to Eric,†said Chuck Gordon, director of athletics. “His accomplishments in the sport are legendary and we are excited to have him.â€
He takes over an Augustana program that has won a total of 36 CCIW titles, more than any other school in the conference.
Dave Wrath
Assistant Director
of Athletics/Media
& Alumni Relations
A new coaching staff looks to turn things around at Central College this year. Eric VanKley returns to Iowa after spending time starting the wrestling progam at the University Great Falls and building it into an NAIA contender. He is joined by NCAA qualifier Jason Zastrow as his top assistant. With a freshman-heavy lineup, success will not come easily in the Iowa Conference, but the foundation for the future is being built now at Central College.
Heidelberg has won the last two OAC titles, and with 10 starters back look poised to make it three in a row. Led by 2x All-American and 2006 national champion Joe Pflug. Coach Miller was OAC Coach of the Year and has done a great job building the Heidelber team up to its current level of succes. After a decade with no All-Americans, Heidelberg has had placewinners in each of the past two seasons, showing the progress the team has made. All three national qualifiers from 2007 return to defend their OAC titles, and each looks to make the podium in 2008. Pflug will be going for his 3rd All-America award, and he hopes to be joined by some teammates in March.
