NEW WRESTLING COACH/HOUSING MANAGER NAMED AT IOWA LAKES

A Blue Earth, Minn., native has been named as the new head wrestling coach and housing manager at Iowa Lakes Community College.

Ty Eustice was selected for the position effective today, July 2, 2009.  He comes to Iowa Lakes following a year as Assistant Wrestling Coach at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon.  At Cornell, The Rams placed eighth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament, counting three All-Americans, including one wrestler who had the most wins in all of Division III wrestling.

Eustice was a four-year NCAA Division I national qualifier and a two-time All-American wrestler at the University of Iowa.  During his time as a Hawkeye, Eustice was a 100-match winner and a two-time team captain from 2001 through 2006.  In 2005, he placed 5th at 149 pounds at the NCAA Division I National Championships and then finished second at 149 a year later.

Troy Larson, Athletics Director at Iowa Lakes, says Eustice’s prestigious career will reflect well on his tenure at Iowa Lakes.

“He had an outstanding wrestling career at the University of Iowa and has learned from some of the best coaches in the world, including Tom Brands,” Larson said.  “You will see a very aggressive, tough, hard-nosed style of wrestling at Iowa Lakes.  And, you’ll see a coach who understands the meaning of student-athlete and will have high quality young men in the program.”

Eustice already has set goals for the Lakers.

“Building off of last year’s great success, I’d like to see continued improvement – first and foremost in the classroom – but also greater dedication to the sport of wrestling,” said Eustice.  “The performance level of our athletes – and future recruits – will continue to grow as I instill higher expectations in my athletes and for the program.” 

After graduating from Iowa, Eustice spent two years as a graduate assistant at Minnesota State University in Mankato.  While there he helped coach 12 All-Americans while working under Jim Makovsky.  During that time, the team crowned seven All-Americans and two individual champions while placing second in the team race by just one-half point at the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championships.   Minnesota State won the team title at the 2008 National Duals.

His academic degrees include a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Iowa in 2006 as well as a master’s degree in sports management from Minnesota State two years later.

While at nearby Blue Earth, Eustice won four Minnesota state championships as he wrestled for his father, Coach Jack Eustice.  He was also a Cadet and Junior National Freestyle All-American. 

“Obviously, being closer to my hometown is a neat situation for me and my family.  But knowing the talent in the southern Minnesota and northern Iowa area the potential for this program is exceptional,” said Eustice. 

While in Mankato, Eustice also interned for the Minnesota Vikings during their summer training camp in town, working alongside the Vikings players and coaches. 

He also has worked with Special Olympics.  In 2006, Eustice was a member of a student group which organized a “Raising Spirit” event which included a sport camp and silent auction that raised money for Special Olympics in Mankato.

Eustice, along with his wife and son will be relocating to the Estherville area in the near future.

Along with his leadership duties as the head wrestling coach, he will assume the position of housing manager.  As manager, Eustice’s duties will range from enforcing housing policies and promoting healthy lifestyles, to meeting with students to solve conflicts when necessary.