MOSES LAKE - Big Bend Community College has hired a new wrestling coach, as Mark Geary prepares to take over the men’s and women’s wrestling programs.

“I am incredibly excited, honored, and humbled to become part of the Big Bend Academic and Athletic Community,” Geary said. “Coaching wrestling is something I have always loved doing, and to get to do that as my full-time job is a dream come true. I look forward to making the most of the opportunity.”

Geary comes to Big Bend from South Dakota, where he was an assistant wrestling coach in Kingsbury County and served at Dakota State University as an associate professor.

Beginning wrestling as a freshman in high school, Geary’s slow start as a wrestler - going 0-9 in competitions, he admits - pushed him to put in the extra work to grow his game. He learned that success is equated to the amount of effort put into one’s craft.

“Wrestling has four major components: strength, speed/technique, endurance and mental toughness (the will to train, and ability to recover from setbacks, on and off the mat),” said Geary. “We will move the program forward by looking at where each individual is in these aspects of wrestling while helping them to love the sport and recognize the life value of participation.”

Upon the close of his high school career, Geary originally was a walk-on on the Northern Iowa University wrestling team, later transferring and earning a scholarship to the University of Central Florida. During his time with the Knights Geary was a three-time National Qualifier and two-time Regional Champion in wrestling. He was later a graduate assistant with the Knights before wrestling in the Southern Region Olympic Trials in 1984.

In the years since being a grad assistant at UCF, Geary spent time as the coach of middle school, high school, and collegiate teams in various capacities.

“I want to throw open the doors to everyone, men or women, that love wrestling,” Geary said. “Whether they are a pretty good high school wrestler that just needs a little more technique or a struggling student that wishes to wrestle while earning their AA degree, we can help student-athletes be successful at Big Bend.”

The new coach looks forward to the opportunity to bring wrestlers to Big Bend.

“Big Bend offers a wealth of opportunities for wrestlers that wish to improve athletically and

Academically,” Geary said. “Whether they are looking to compete in the sport they love or wish to develop skills to be successful at a 4-year college or in MMA or as a coach, our wrestling program can help them achieve their goals. It’s all here, ready for those that want to step up and take it.”

CORRECTION: Geary did not serve as a wrestling coach for Dakota State University. This correction has been appended above.