keller leaving

[iowa wrestle man]

Just wondering what people thought of the news that Eric Keller is leaving North Central after just one year to return to Wartburg?

[legendofandy]

Has anyone heard anything about the NC position? It's no longer posted on the North Central jobs website.

[lauden swain]

Has anyone heard anything about the NC position? It's no longer posted on the North Central jobs website.

Kevin Bratland announced as new North Central wrestling coach


DATE: 8/11/2006 10:41:00 AM Naperville, Ill. North Central College has announced Kevin Bratland as the new head wrestling coach.

Bratland previously served as the assistant wrestling coach at Ohio Northern University the last two seasons. Prior to that, he was the assistant coach and strength and conditioning coach at NCAA III wrestling powerhouse Wartburg College (Iowa) from 2003-05. He also served as an assistant coach at Humboldt High School in Humboldt, Iowa, in 1999-2000.

"This is a great feeling," Bratland said. "I appreciate the opportunity North Central College has given me. The goals for the program haven't changed at all. We want to contend to win a national title every year. That should always be the goal for our coaching staff."

Bratland has experience at the national level in NCAA Division III, helping Wartburg to national titles both as a wrestler and a coach. As a collegian, he was a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III All-Academic Individual and two-time NCAA III All-American. In 2002, he finished third in the nation at 157 pounds and improved his placement to second as senior in 2003 when Wartburg won the national title. Bratland served as Wartburg's co-captain as a junior and senior and was the team's most valuable wrestler those same two years. In 2004 as an assistant coach, Wartburg repeated as national champion.

Bratland graduated from Wartburg in 2003 with a degree in fitness management and received his master's degree in exercise science in 2004 from University of Northern Iowa. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist and attained his coaching certification from Iowa Central Community College.

North Central enjoyed its best season ever in 2005-06. The Cardinals had an undefeated dual-meet record (7-0), won titles at the North Central and Private College tournaments, were ranked as high as seventh in the nation and tied for 14th place at the NCAA III Championships. The College sent three wrestlers to nationals and all three returned as All-Americans. It’s the highest finish at nationals in the program’s history and the most All-Americans ever produced in one year.
respectfully,
Lauden