The Carthage College Athletic Department and Director of Athletics Nate Stewart have announced that Jake Calhoun will be named the new head coach of the women's wrestling program. 

After spending one year as a graduate assistant for the men's and women's wrestling programs at Carthage, Jake Calhoun brings 12 years of NCAA Division III coaching experience, as well as experience competing at the collegiate, national, and international levels. In his first year with the Carthage women's wrestling program, Calhoun helped Natalie Majer reach the Women's Collegiate Women's Wrestling Coalition (NCWWC) National Championship making her the first student-athlete to reach the NCWWC in program history. 

"I am excited to announce that Jake will assume the leadership for our women's wrestling program," said Director of Athletics Nate Stewart. "Jake has really impressed me with his work as our assistant coach last year, and I am excited to see the program continue to grow and reach new heights under his leadership. I also thank Alberto for his leadership and for laying the foundation for the program over the last two years. He has worked extremely hard to establish both programs over the last two years, and I look forward to having him continue to lead our men's program in the future. It is a great day to be a Firebird!" 

Before joining the Firebirds coaching staff, Calhoun coached at Lakeland University as their men's and women's Head Wrestling Coach. During his tenure, he coached four student-athletes to All-American accolades.

Calhoun also coached for three years as an assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and coached five All-Americans, including a two-time NCAA National Champion, during his tenure at his alma mater.

Calhoun also made stops at Messiah College (PA), Muhlenberg College (PA), State University of New York-Cortland, and Gettysburg College (PA), including one year as Head Coach at Muhlenberg, where he took over a team with just four wrestlers. Saving the program, Calhoun increased the team's roster numbers, quickly filling the lineup for the first time in years. He also served as a strength & conditioning coach at Muhlenberg. He collectively coached 12 All-Americans, including Two NCAA National Champions, while in Pa. and N.Y., finishing as the fourth-place NCAA National Duals team at Cortland in 2013 and the NCAA National runner-up team at Messiah in 2016. Jake was a volunteer coach at his alma mater to begin his collegiate coaching career before moving to the east coast. 

Calhoun competed on varsity for UWSP all four years of his collegiate eligibility, making it to the NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008. He was a team captain and a two-time Coaches Award winner in college. He also was awarded a spot on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team selection. 

Calhoun was a three-time All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honoree and WIAC Conference Champion at 125 lbs in 2007. After competing in college, he also continued his career on the national and international level. He reached University Level All-American status in Greco-Roman wrestling and wrestled in the World Team Trials in 2013 for a spot on the World Team. He also qualified to compete in the 2014 World Team Trials.

Calhoun received his bachelor's degree from Wisconsin-Stevens Point in physical education with a health education minor and an emphasis in adventure and outdoor education. He also earned his master's in recreational education with a focus in environmental education from Cortland State. Calhoun is a native of Stevens Point, Wis, and a graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH), where he was a WIAA Division I State place-winner and finished with school records in wins and pins. He was also a high school state place-winner in Freestyle wrestling. Calhoun was a team captain and earned the team's Most Valuable Wrestler award during his high school career. 

"I am incredibly grateful to continue my coaching journey as the new women's head wrestling coach," said Calhoun. "This is my passion in life! I am thankful for the opportunity to lead the team as we build our program into a future wrestling dynasty for years and years to come! I'd like to thank my wife, parents, other close family, former coaches, and close friends for always supporting me. I'd also like to thank Alberto and Nate Stewart, along with the rest of the Carthage administration and community, for everything they've done for me, as well as the wrestling program, over this last year. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to shine into the future! Lastly, I'd like to thank the Carthage wrestlers for advocating for me. This proves our team is a tight family and has started building an optimal team culture. 'Happy to be here' is the understatement of the century; I'm 'Fired Up!' Go Firebirds!"

Calhoun currently lives with his wife, Chasidy, and two dogs, Juneau and Khaleesi in Sheboygan, Wis.

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