St. Mary's Ryken (SMR) has appointed Austin Kraisser as its new Head Wrestling Coach. Kraisser, who will also serve as a full-time resource specialist, will assume his responsibilities immediately. The announcement was made public by SMR earlier today.
Austin Kraisser, whose recent tenure as a Regional Training Center (RTC) Athlete at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) positioned him as a mentor and trainer, brings a wealth of experience both as an athlete and an educator. At USNA, he prepared for international competitions, including the World and Olympic Championships, while also mentoring Naval Academy Midshipmen and creating training plans for the Navy Wrestling Club RTC.
Kraisser's academic and athletic credentials are notable. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security from Campbell University, where he was a wrestling team captain and received the Pinnacle Award for the highest team GPA. Kraisser is also a 3x Academic All-American and has notable placements in U17, U20, and U23 World Team Trials.
During his last year of NCAA eligibility at Iowa State University, Kraisser competed for the Cyclones and earned recognition on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. His collegiate achievements lay a solid foundation for his coaching ambitions.
"My immediate goal as head wrestling coach at SMR is to create an environment where my wrestlers can be successful both on the mat and in the classroom," Kraisser stated. He aims to compete for a conference championship and help as many students as possible reach the National Prep championships.
Jon Lombardo, Athletic Director at SMR, expressed enthusiasm about Kraisser's appointment, highlighting his extensive experience and strong community ties in Maryland wrestling. "Austin comes highly recommended from some of the best coaches in the state and from a wrestling family," Lombardo said.
Kraisser's coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by his mentors throughout high school and college. "I plan to use my experiences to foster a family-like, trusting environment at SMR," he remarked. Kraisser also emphasized his focus on teaching life lessons through wrestling, encouraging wrestlers to take risks and focus on constant improvement rather than solely on wins and losses.
As Kraisser transitions into his role at SMR, the community looks forward with optimism to a new chapter in its wrestling program under his leadership. His experience at USNA as both an athlete and a mentor has equipped him with the skills necessary to build a successful, respected program that excels academically and athletically.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Austin to St. Mary's Ryken as our next head wrestling coach," Lombardo reiterated, underscoring Kraisser's alignment with SMR's mission to educate the whole child in the spirit of Xaverian values.
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