Wheaton College Athletics

Wheaton, Ill. – Wheaton College Athletic Director Dr. Tony Ladd has announced the hiring of Jim Gruenwald as the head wrestling coach for the Thunder wrestling team. He replaces Dan Weber, who served the program as its head coach for one season.

Gruenwald, a two-time member of the US Olympic Greco Roman wrestling team, comes to Wheaton after serving as an assistant coach for US Greco Roman wrestling team at the US Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan since 2005. Gruenwald finished sixth at 60 kg in the greco roman competition at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and was 10th at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. A three-time US Champion, Gruenwald completed his competitive career in 2008 as a National Champion, he also won titles in 2003 and 2004.

Ladd says of Gruenwald, “Jim Gruenwald brings a level of expertise and experience to Wheaton that will help our wrestlers achieve a high level of competitive success. His ability to recruit and passion for collegiate wrestling will help the program reach its highest potential.” Ladd adds, “A proven winner on the mat, Jim brings a wealth of coaching experience at all levels that will enable him to be successful at Wheaton.”

Gruenwald is a 1994 graduate of Maranatha Baptist Bible College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Math Education in 1994. He compiled a four-year record of 154-19 on the mat in his career at Maranatha. Gruenwald was a three-time National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Champion, earning MVP honors in 1989 and 1991. A former Wheaton Invitational Champion, Gruenwald is a member of Northwestern University’s Midlands Invitational Tournament 20-Win Club, with 22 career victories at the prestigious tournament.

Jim and his wife Rachel have four children: son Adin and three daughters, Arwyn, Ava and Autumn.