Rochester, MN – The RCTC athletic department is happy to announce Andy Hackenmueller as the new head coach of the RCTC wrestling program. Coach Hackenmueller will be taking over for former coach Travis Rutt to lead an RCTC wrestling program that historically is one of the top programs in the country.
The Jackets are coming off a non-scholarship national championship in 2020-21. Coach Hackenmueller has coached at many different levels in his young career, including, youth, high school, and national levels. He served as a coach with the Minnesota Storm National High School Team, as well as with Forest Lake High School.
Coach Hackenmueller wrestled at North Dakota State University and the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. “I am excited to get to work and pick up where Coach Rutt and Coach Rager left off. My goals are very very high for the team and the program. We will strive to win titles, earn degrees, and improve ourselves in all aspects of life. I intend to utilize my passion and connections to help all of my athletes reach their ultimate goals and get them to where they want to be.”
Joining Coach Hackenmueller as an assistant coach is former UW-LaCrosse standout and DIII National Champion Mike Schmitz. Coach Schmitz has served as an assistant coach at Rochester John Marshall, as well as for the Guerilla Wrestling Club in Stewartville, MN. In addition to his national championship at UW-Lacrosse, Schmitz was a four-time All-American. “I am very excited to be a part of the strong wrestling tradition at RCTC. I look forward to serving our student-athletes and working with them to achieve their goals on and off the mat,” said Coach Schmitz.
In addition to new coaches, Hackenmueller and Schmitz, long-time RCTC head coach Randy Rager will stay on board as an assistant. Coach Rager is a legendary NJCAA Coach with multiple NWCA and NJCAA Coach of the Year Awards in addition to leading RCTC to three National Championships including during the 2019-20 season.
Mike Lester, the RCTC Athletic Director says: “We couldn’t be more excited at the staff we have put together to continue the success of our wrestling program. With Coach Hackenmueller at the helm and coaches Schmitz and Rager on board, our guys will be taught by some of the best. All three coaches have wrestled at the highest levels of the sport and know what it takes to become a champion.”
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