Northwest Notes April 12, 2023

Thomas named NIC assistant wrestling coach

After serving one season as interim assistant wrestling coach at North Idaho College, former Cardinal wrestler Cooper Thomas was named assistant wrestling coach for the Cards earlier this week, athletic director Shawn Noel announced.

“We are excited to have Cooper Thomas in a more permanent role as assistant wrestling coach,” Noel said. “His passion for the sport and for the success of student-athletes is unparalleled, and we are very fortunate to have him as part of our staff.”

Thomas grew up in Maple Valley, Wash., where he wrestled for Tahoma High. He wrestled at NIC from 2015 to 2017.

After wrestling at NIC, Thomas transferred to Grand View University, an NAIA school in Des Moines, Iowa, where he studied kinesiology and health promotion. While attending Grand View University, he was a part of the 2018 and 2019 NAIA national championship wrestling teams.

During his interim season as assistant coach, Thomas helped NIC to a fifth-place finish at the NJCAA national championships. The Cardinals also had four individual All-Americans for the 2022-23 season.

“I am excited to return as the permanent assistant wrestling coach,” Thomas said. “I look forward to giving the North Idaho College wrestling program my all and to further the success of the student-athletes.”