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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Graceland Names Owen Braungardt as Head Men’s Assistant Wrestling Coach

Graceland Names Owen Braungardt as Head Men’s Assistant Wrestling Coach

Lamoni, IA – Graceland University is proud to announce the hiring of Owen Braungardt as the new Head Men's Assistant Wrestling Coach. Braungardt joins the Yellowjackets' coaching staff under first-year Head Coach Evan Hansen, bringing with him a championship pedigree and a strong foundation in athlete development, nutrition, and leadership.

A graduate of Grand View University, Braungardt earned his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and completed his Master's in Organizational Leadership in the spring of 2024. He was a key contributor to Grand View's nationally dominant wrestling program, competing as a 2023 NAIA National Champion and a four-time member of the NAIA National Championship team from 2021 to 2024.

Braungardt also brings coaching experience from the high school level, having served as an Assistant Men's Wrestling Coach at Douglass High School in Kansas. There, he was responsible for planning practices, attending to athletes' individual needs, and providing nutritional guidance to optimize performance—skills he is eager to bring to Graceland's program.

"Owen's leadership, national championship experience, and academic background in kinesiology and performance make him an incredible asset for our wrestling program," said Head Coach Evan Hansen. "He's someone who knows what it takes to win at the highest level and has a passion for building up student-athletes both on and off the mat."

In addition to his athletic credentials, Braungardt has demonstrated a commitment to holistic development, conducting undergraduate research on the relationship between nutrition and athletic performance and engaging in faith-based mentorship and community outreach through campus fellowship and FCA camps.

With the hiring of Owen Braungardt, Graceland continues to invest in the future of its wrestling program, aiming to build a competitive culture grounded in discipline, development, and championship standards.

Welcome to the Graceland family, Coach Braungardt!