Grand View University Men's Wrestling

Mitchell started the first ever wrestling team at Grand View University. The program began in the 2008-2009 season. In just eight short years, the Vikings have become a perennial power.  A look at the numbers and facts:         ·         2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 NAIA National Champions       ·         2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Cliff Keen National Dual Champions       ·         2012, 2013, 2014 & 2016 NWCA National Coach of the Year       ·         2012, 2014, 2015 &2016 NAIA National Coach of the Year       ·         2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Regional Coach of the Year       ·         Coached 59 All-Americans (school record 11 in 2014)       ·        18 NAIA Individual National Champions in Glenn Rhees, Matt Burns (2)                Omi Acosta, Eric Thompson (3), Gustavo Martinez, Chad Lowman (2),                Jimmie Schuessler, Ryak Finch (2), Brandon Wright (2), Jacob Colon, Michael Pixley & Dean         Broghammer         ·         44 Central Regional Individual Champions       ·         2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 Central Regional Team Champions       ·         8 top-10 national finishes 8th-2009, 9th in 2010, 5th in 2011, 1st in                  2012, 1st in 2013, 1st in 2014, 1st in 2015, 1st in 2016       ·         38 wrestlers have been honored by the NWCA with All-Academic team honors       ·         Has an 88-9 record in duals over 8 seasons       ·         2016 team broke the National scoring record that was set by the 2014 team by scoring 210     Points (193 was previous record)       ·         2014 team broke the national record for greatest margin of victory 108     High Expectations Although the Vikings have become one of the nation's elite teams by consecutively winning the last four NAIA National Championships, Mitchell's goals have not changed. "We want to continue to strive to be the best in the nation year after year. To do this, it takes a total team effort. Every guy on the team needs to be committed to living a championship lifestyle and doing more' than everyone else in the nation". Prior Coaching Before coming to Grand View, Mitchell was an assistant coach at Wartburg College for eight years.  In that span, he helped 62 athletes achieve All-American status.  Additionally, four of those teams won National titles. Student-Athlete Mitchell wrestled his college career at Wartburg where he was a three-time Iowa Conference champion and three-time NCAA Division III All-American. Individually, he finished second at the national championships once and was third twice. Mitchell was also a part of the 1999 national championship team and team captain for the Knights. He was named the team's Outstanding Wrestler twice compiling 114 wins as a Knight. Mitchell is now a member of the Wartburg College Athletic Hall of Fame. Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education from Wartburg 2000 Family: He resides in Ankeny with his wife, Rachelle and daughters Brynn and Paige.   Paul Reedy enters his seventh season at Grand View as a full-time assistant coach.   Since coming to Grand View, the Vikings have recorded their best finishes at the national meet. In 2011, the Vikings placed 5th and earned national titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016. In the past seven seasons, 52 Vikings have earned All-American accolades and 35 wrestlers have been selected to the NAIA All-Academic Team. Coach Mitchell had this to say about Reedy: In my opinion, Coach Reedy is one of the top assistants in the nation. The impact he has had on our program speaks for itself. His passion for helping athletes on and off the mat is unmatched. Prior to Grand View, Coach Reedy coached at Perry High School and Wartburg College. As an assistant at Perry for the 2009-10 season, he coached three state qualifiers and two state medalists. From 2006-2009 he was an assistant at Wartburg and coached 22 All-Americans. In both 2008 and 2009, Wartburg teams won National Championships. As an athlete, Reedy was a member of three national championship teams. Additionally, he was part of three state championship teams at Emmetsburg High School. Family: Reedy Resides in Ankeny with his wife Megan and daughter Laney. ASSISTANT COACH - 9TH SEASON Grant Turner begins his ninth season as assistant coach at Grand View after completing his academic and athletic career at Iowa State University. Turner also works with the Viking Wrestling Club freestyle and Greco-Roman program. In 2013, he coached his first ever University National Freestyle finalist as well as the first member of the club to compete at the Senior World Team Trials, Brandon Wright. In 2014, Turner coached another Viking at the 2014 World Team Trials, Eric Thompson. Turner was a four-year letter winner at Iowa State under Cyclone head coaches Cael Sanderson and Bobby Douglas. He was part of the Big XII Conference Championship Team and placed third individually at the Big XII Tournament in 2007. Turner was also a 2007 NCAA Tournament Qualifier at 174 lbs where the Cyclones placed second as a team. Turner received his bachelor's degree in Sports Management with Kinesiology and Health option from Iowa State in 2007.  Turner is the sales manager for APS Nike wrestling. ASSISTANT COACH - 9TH SEASON Helvey is a 2008 graduate of Wartburg College where he placed 5th in the nation as a junior and was a national runner-up and Iowa Conference champion as a senior. Helvey graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 2004 where he placed 7th at state as a junior and 5th as a senior. He also wrestled on the Greco Roman National team as a junior and senior.  Jacob and his wife Krystal reside in Des Moines. ASSISTANT COACH-3rd SEASON Benvenuti joins the coaching staff after an impressive career on the mat. Benvenuti achieved All-American status for the fourth time by placing sixth at the 2014 NAIA National Championships. Before landing at Grand View, Benvenuti placed 2nd and 4th while competing at Sierra College and finished 4th in the nation while attending Lindenwood University. Benvenuti is also the head coach of the Viking Wrestling Club. ASSISTANT COACH 3rd SEASON Haynes joins the coaching staff after becoming a rare four-time All-American, finishing his career with a third place finish in 2014.  Haynes also finished fourth for the Vikings in 2013. Prior to landing at Grand View, Haynes wrestled at Meramec Community College and North Iowa Area Community College where he was an All-American placing third in 2010 and seventh in 2011 ASSISTANT COACH-1st SEASON Moen returns to his alma mater after being the Head Assistant Coach at Campbellsville University the previous two seasons.  While at Campbellsville, Moen coached eight all-Americans and a National Champion.  Prior to Campbellsville Moen was the Head Coach at Saydel high school where he coached 2 wrestlers to become state medalists.   As an athlete TJ was a two time NJCAA all-American at NIACC.  He finished his career at Grand View where he placed 3 at the 2012 NAIA National championships and helped lead the team to the first National Team Championship.  Family: TJ and his wife Morgan reside in Johnston with their daughter Hazel.   Cody Caldwell Graduate Assistant  1st SEASON Caldwell joins the Grand View wrestling coaching staff after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa. Caldwell was a four year starter and captain for the UNI wrestling team. In 2014, he competed in the NCAA Division 1 wrestling tournament. Before his time at UNI, Caldwell was a three-time state champion and a member of four straight state championship teams at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Academically, Caldwell was a part of the MAC conference honor roll. Caldwell will be coaching the Vikings while completing his masters degree in Sport Management. 

Reedy: In my opinion, Coach Reedy is one of the top assistants in the nation. The impact he has had on our program speaks for itself. His passion for helping athletes on and off the mat is unmatched. Prior to Grand View, Coach Reedy coached at Perry High School and Wartburg College. As an assistant at Perry for the 2009-10 season, he coached three state qualifiers and two state medalists. From 2006-2009 he was an assistant at Wartburg and coached 22 All-Americans. In both 2008 and 2009, Wartburg teams won National Championships. As an athlete, Reedy was a member of three national championship teams. Additionally, he was part of three state championship teams at Emmetsburg High School. Family: Reedy Resides in Ankeny with his wife Megan and daughter Laney. ASSISTANT COACH - 9TH SEASON Grant Turner begins his ninth season as assistant coach at Grand View after completing his academic and athletic career at Iowa State University. Turner also works with the Viking Wrestling Club freestyle and Greco-Roman program. In 2013, he coached his first ever University National Freestyle finalist as well as the first member of the club to compete at the Senior World Team Trials, Brandon Wright. In 2014, Turner coached another Viking at the 2014 World Team Trials, Eric Thompson. Turner was a four-year letter winner at Iowa State under Cyclone head coaches Cael Sanderson and Bobby Douglas. He was part of the Big XII Conference Championship Team and placed third individually at the Big XII Tournament in 2007. Turner was also a 2007 NCAA Tournament Qualifier at 174 lbs where the Cyclones placed second as a team. Turner received his bachelor's degree in Sports Management with Kinesiology and Health option from Iowa State in 2007.  Turner is the sales manager for APS Nike wrestling. ASSISTANT COACH - 9TH SEASON Helvey is a 2008 graduate of Wartburg College where he placed 5th in the nation as a junior and was a national runner-up and Iowa Conference champion as a senior. Helvey graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 2004 where he placed 7th at state as a junior and 5th as a senior. He also wrestled on the Greco Roman National team as a junior and senior.  Jacob and his wife Krystal reside in Des Moines. ASSISTANT COACH-3rd SEASON Benvenuti joins the coaching staff after an impressive career on the mat. Benvenuti achieved All-American status for the fourth time by placing sixth at the 2014 NAIA National Championships. Before landing at Grand View, Benvenuti placed 2nd and 4th while competing at Sierra College and finished 4th in the nation while attending Lindenwood University. Benvenuti is also the head coach of the Viking Wrestling Club. ASSISTANT COACH 3rd SEASON Haynes joins the coaching staff after becoming a rare four-time All-American, finishing his career with a third place finish in 2014.  Haynes also finished fourth for the Vikings in 2013. Prior to landing at Grand View, Haynes wrestled at Meramec Community College and North Iowa Area Community College where he was an All-American placing third in 2010 and seventh in 2011 ASSISTANT COACH-1st SEASON Moen returns to his alma mater after being the Head Assistant Coach at Campbellsville University the previous two seasons.  While at Campbellsville, Moen coached eight all-Americans and a National Champion.  Prior to Campbellsville Moen was the Head Coach at Saydel high school where he coached 2 wrestlers to become state medalists.   As an athlete TJ was a two time NJCAA all-American at NIACC.  He finished his career at Grand View where he placed 3 at the 2012 NAIA National championships and helped lead the team to the first National Team Championship.  Family: TJ and his wife Morgan reside in Johnston with their daughter Hazel.   Cody Caldwell Graduate Assistant  1st SEASON Caldwell joins the Grand View wrestling coaching staff after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa. Caldwell was a four year starter and captain for the UNI wrestling team. In 2014, he competed in the NCAA Division 1 wrestling tournament. Before his time at UNI, Caldwell was a three-time state champion and a member of four straight state championship teams at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Academically, Caldwell was a part of the MAC conference honor roll. Caldwell will be coaching the Vikings while completing his masters degree in Sport Management. 

Turner also works with the Viking Wrestling Club freestyle and Greco-Roman program. In 2013, he coached his first ever University National Freestyle finalist as well as the first member of the club to compete at the Senior World Team Trials, Brandon Wright. In 2014, Turner coached another Viking at the 2014 World Team Trials, Eric Thompson. Turner was a four-year letter winner at Iowa State under Cyclone head coaches Cael Sanderson and Bobby Douglas. He was part of the Big XII Conference Championship Team and placed third individually at the Big XII Tournament in 2007. Turner was also a 2007 NCAA Tournament Qualifier at 174 lbs where the Cyclones placed second as a team. Turner received his bachelor's degree in Sports Management with Kinesiology and Health option from Iowa State in 2007.  Turner is the sales manager for APS Nike wrestling. ASSISTANT COACH - 9TH SEASON Helvey is a 2008 graduate of Wartburg College where he placed 5th in the nation as a junior and was a national runner-up and Iowa Conference champion as a senior. Helvey graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 2004 where he placed 7th at state as a junior and 5th as a senior. He also wrestled on the Greco Roman National team as a junior and senior.  Jacob and his wife Krystal reside in Des Moines. ASSISTANT COACH-3rd SEASON Benvenuti joins the coaching staff after an impressive career on the mat. Benvenuti achieved All-American status for the fourth time by placing sixth at the 2014 NAIA National Championships. Before landing at Grand View, Benvenuti placed 2nd and 4th while competing at Sierra College and finished 4th in the nation while attending Lindenwood University. Benvenuti is also the head coach of the Viking Wrestling Club. ASSISTANT COACH 3rd SEASON Haynes joins the coaching staff after becoming a rare four-time All-American, finishing his career with a third place finish in 2014.  Haynes also finished fourth for the Vikings in 2013. Prior to landing at Grand View, Haynes wrestled at Meramec Community College and North Iowa Area Community College where he was an All-American placing third in 2010 and seventh in 2011 ASSISTANT COACH-1st SEASON Moen returns to his alma mater after being the Head Assistant Coach at Campbellsville University the previous two seasons.  While at Campbellsville, Moen coached eight all-Americans and a National Champion.  Prior to Campbellsville Moen was the Head Coach at Saydel high school where he coached 2 wrestlers to become state medalists.   As an athlete TJ was a two time NJCAA all-American at NIACC.  He finished his career at Grand View where he placed 3 at the 2012 NAIA National championships and helped lead the team to the first National Team Championship.  Family: TJ and his wife Morgan reside in Johnston with their daughter Hazel.   Cody Caldwell Graduate Assistant  1st SEASON Caldwell joins the Grand View wrestling coaching staff after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa. Caldwell was a four year starter and captain for the UNI wrestling team. In 2014, he competed in the NCAA Division 1 wrestling tournament. Before his time at UNI, Caldwell was a three-time state champion and a member of four straight state championship teams at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Academically, Caldwell was a part of the MAC conference honor roll. Caldwell will be coaching the Vikings while completing his masters degree in Sport Management. 

Helvey graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 2004 where he placed 7th at state as a junior and 5th as a senior. He also wrestled on the Greco Roman National team as a junior and senior.  Jacob and his wife Krystal reside in Des Moines. ASSISTANT COACH-3rd SEASON Benvenuti joins the coaching staff after an impressive career on the mat. Benvenuti achieved All-American status for the fourth time by placing sixth at the 2014 NAIA National Championships. Before landing at Grand View, Benvenuti placed 2nd and 4th while competing at Sierra College and finished 4th in the nation while attending Lindenwood University. Benvenuti is also the head coach of the Viking Wrestling Club. ASSISTANT COACH 3rd SEASON Haynes joins the coaching staff after becoming a rare four-time All-American, finishing his career with a third place finish in 2014.  Haynes also finished fourth for the Vikings in 2013. Prior to landing at Grand View, Haynes wrestled at Meramec Community College and North Iowa Area Community College where he was an All-American placing third in 2010 and seventh in 2011 ASSISTANT COACH-1st SEASON Moen returns to his alma mater after being the Head Assistant Coach at Campbellsville University the previous two seasons.  While at Campbellsville, Moen coached eight all-Americans and a National Champion.  Prior to Campbellsville Moen was the Head Coach at Saydel high school where he coached 2 wrestlers to become state medalists.   As an athlete TJ was a two time NJCAA all-American at NIACC.  He finished his career at Grand View where he placed 3 at the 2012 NAIA National championships and helped lead the team to the first National Team Championship.  Family: TJ and his wife Morgan reside in Johnston with their daughter Hazel.   Cody Caldwell Graduate Assistant  1st SEASON Caldwell joins the Grand View wrestling coaching staff after finishing his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa. Caldwell was a four year starter and captain for the UNI wrestling team. In 2014, he competed in the NCAA Division 1 wrestling tournament. Before his time at UNI, Caldwell was a three-time state champion and a member of four straight state championship teams at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Academically, Caldwell was a part of the MAC conference honor roll. Caldwell will be coaching the Vikings while completing his masters degree in Sport Management.