Minot State University Men's Wrestling

Coach Gresh Jones was named the head coach for the Minot State men's wrestling program in April of 2026. Jones spent the previous two seasons as the head coach for NSIC rival Jamestown. A Montana product, Jones spent the last decade competing and coaching in North Dakota. Jones took over the Jimmies program in its first year of transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II competition in September of 2024. Jamestown finished 7th in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) that season. During the 2025-26 season, the Jimmies won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) Northwest Conference title and finished 6th at the NCWA National Championships, led by national placers Isaac Ronquillo (125 pounds) and Elijah Nose (133), who both finished 3rd, Rocker Aguilar (165), who was 6th, and Colton Schaad (174), who was 8th. Prior to taking over leadership of Jamestown's program, Jones spent 3 seasons as the head wrestling coach at Williston High School, leading the Coyotes to a 3rd-place finish at the team state tournament in 2023, and to 3rd-place (2024) and 4th-place (2023) finishes at the state dual tournament. He twice was named Western Dakota Association (WDA) Coach of the Year, and named North Dakota High School Coach of the Year in 2023. Jones began his coaching career at his alma mater, Dickinson State University, as an assistant coach for the Blue Hawks men's wrestling team for the 2020-21 season. He earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 2020, with a minor in coaching, and his Master's in Sports Administration-Athletic Leadership in 2023 from Dickinson State, where Jones competed for four years on the mats. He earned NAIA All-American honors in 2018, finishing 4th at nationals, and again in 2019, finishing 3rd. Jones was named Dickinson State's Outstanding Male Athlete in 2021 and an NAIA Champions of Character Award Winner in 2021.  

Coach McDonald joined the Minot State men's wrestling staff in the summer of 2026 after 4 seasons on the mats for the Beavers. Named to the NWCA Scholar All-American Team and the NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence following the 2025-26 seasons, McDonald racked up 23 wins during his career at Minot State, including 9 by pin.

Gappmaier comes to Minot State after a successful career at Colorado Mesa University, where he was a two-time NCAA DII national qualifier. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at Colorado Mesa and finished his collegiate career as a two-time Academic All-American. The Salt Lake City, Utah, native is currently a marketing consultant at KXMC News in Minot.

Kettler will start his second season as an assistant coach for the Minot State University wrestling team. In his first season he helped coach the Beavers to four duals victories including one against in-state rival Mary.  Graduating from George Mason  with a degree in Integrated Studies with an Organizational Administration concentration and a minor in Management, he competed in wrestling at the Division I level. Kettler twice qualified for the NCAA DI national tournament in 2013 and 2015. Kettler excelled academically as well being named a Provost Scholar Athlete in 2014 and a landing his name on the Dean's List four times. In 2013 and 2015 Kettler earned NCAA Academic All-American honors.  Along with his collegiate accolades, he was a five-time All-American at the Senior Greco Roman level and has been a counselor at the prestigious J Robinson Wrestling Camp for the past five years.

Forde earned four victories including one against in-state rival Mary. He coached Minot-native Marcus Polak in his final season as Polak finished in the top 10 in career victories in school history.     In 2014-15, Forde helped the Dragons to an 8-5 record and a 4-4 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. He was also the Club Sport Director within the Intramural department and an adjunct professor at MSUM.   He spent three seasons with Southwest Minnesota State before returning to his alma mater. At SMSU, he served as the graduate assistant coach from 2011-13 and the school's head assistant coach in 2013-14. The Mustangs were 35-17 in three seasons, finishing third in the NSIC in 2013-14.   Forde, a Fargo, N.D., native, won 63 matches in his career and was a four-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association NCAA Division II All-Academic honoree. He was also named the program's "Hardest Worker," twice.   He earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from MSU Moorhead in 2011 and graduated with a Master of Science in Education: Sport Leadership and Management from Southwest Minnesota State in 2013. Evan Forde is in his second season as the head coach for the Minot State University wrestling program. He became the eighth coach in school history and the second since the Beavers reinstated the program and moved from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In his first season with Minot State, Forde earned four victories including one against in-state rival Mary. He coached Minot-native Marcus Polak in his final season as Polak finished in the top 10 in career victories in school history.     In 2014-15, Forde helped the Dragons to an 8-5 record and a 4-4 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. He was also the Club Sport Director within the Intramural department and an adjunct professor at MSUM.   He spent three seasons with Southwest Minnesota State before returning to his alma mater. At SMSU, he served as the graduate assistant coach from 2011-13 and the school's head assistant coach in 2013-14. The Mustangs were 35-17 in three seasons, finishing third in the NSIC in 2013-14.   Forde, a Fargo, N.D., native, won 63 matches in his career and was a four-time National Collegiate Wrestling Association NCAA Division II All-Academic honoree. He was also named the program's "Hardest Worker," twice.   He earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from MSU Moorhead in 2011 and graduated with a Master of Science in Education: Sport Leadership and Management from Southwest Minnesota State in 2013.

Kevin White is a life long resident of the Magic City of Minot and is a graduate of Minot High School. After high school, he attended Minot State, where he wrestled for the Beavers from 1984-1986. He graduated from MSU with a BSE in Psychology.  White has held teaching positions at Burdick Job Corps and the Minot Public School District. He taught Driver's Education courses for 14 years, and is currently teaching Technology Education and Engineering. This marks his 33rd year of coaching wrestling, at all levels and capacities. He also served on the Board of Directors for USA Wrestling of North Dakota, from 2000-2008. In 2008, he was named USA Wrestling National Person of the Year for kids/cadets. His passion for wrestling and the life elements it provides is what keeps him committed to the sport. He has been married to his wife, Tammy, for 25 years. Together they have two beautiful daughters, Kaylie and Kelsie.