St. John Joins NDSU Wrestling Staff

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head wrestling coach Roger Kish has announced that former University of Iowa NCAA champion Derek St. John will join the Bison staff as an assistant coach.

St. John, the 2013 NCAA champion at 157 pounds, became the 18th four-time All-American in Iowa history in 2014. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships as a freshman, second as a sophomore, first as a junior and fifth as a senior, claiming his spot as one of the most decorated Hawkeye wrestlers in history.

“We are thrilled to be able to add a guy of Derek’s caliber and experience to our program at North Dakota State,” said NDSU head coach Roger Kish. “His values, philosophy and vision are right in line with what we expect at NDSU.”

“He’s proven himself as one of the nation’s elite competitors, and his achievements at the Big Ten and NCAA levels speak for themselves.”

The Parnell, Iowa, native concluded his collegiate career with a record of 106-17. St. John was the 2012 Big Ten champion and a two-time Big Ten runner-up at 157 pounds. He posted a record of 31-2 in his national championship campaign of 2012-13, earning Iowa’s Mike Howard Most Valuable Wrestler Award.

“I’m excited to join the North Dakota State wrestling program and to be a part of Coach Kish’s staff,” said St. John. “I look forward to building on the tradition and the success that have already been established here, and I know we will work hard to take it to the next level.”

St. John was a redshirt on the Iowa team that won the NCAA team title in 2010. He graduated from Iowa in May 2014 with a degree in business studies.