Newman University Men's Wrestling

Smith is entering his 12th year on the coaching staff with the Newman wrestling program in 2016-17, his eighth as head coach. Beginning with the Jets first foray into NCAA competition, Smith has continuing the process of building a solid program at Newman. That process took its latest step forward in the 2015-16 season, as junior Dustin Reed earned the teams first NCAA All-American honor by finishing fifth at 125 pounds at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Reed, who became Newman and Smiths eighth national qualifier by heading to nationals for the second year in a row, battled back after falling in his first match of the tournament. His place on the podium capped what was the Jets best season as a member of NCAA Division II. Newman had its best finish ever at the MIAA Championships, placing fifth and seeing four wrestlers push into the top four at their weight classes, and placed eight out of its nine wrestlers for its best performance in the Kansas Cup. Smith continued to push the Jets to improve in their third year as an affiliate member of the MIAA, which features a number of the nations top wrestling programs. After scoring four points at the teams first trip to the conference championships, Tyler Mies won at 149 pounds and was named Freshman of the Year in 2015. Reed followed that up with a title at 125 and the leagues Wrestler of the Year honor in 2016, as Colton Duhr finished in second at 157, Dalton Weidl third at 197, and Garrett Whitson fourth at 141. Smith closed out his wrestling career at Newman during the Jets first season with a program in 2004-05 after spending his first two years at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas and his junior season at Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, South Dakota. After finishing out his eligibility, Smith immediately joined Newmans coaching staff, where he was an assistant for four years prior to taking the head job. He received his bachelors degree in business management from Newman in 2005, and his master of business administration from Newman in 2008. In addition to his duties with the Jets, Smith is also the director of business development at CE Machine in Wichita, and is a staff sergeant in the Kansas Air National Guard. He and his wife, Kami, have three children: Brynley, Cooper and Kyan. Ryan Smith is entering his 12th year on the coaching staff with the Newman wrestling program in 2016-17, his eighth as head coach.