Jim Gruenwald enters his ninth year as the head coach for the Wheaton College wrestling team in 2017-18. He is also the Head Strength Coach for Thunder Athletics.
Gruenwald, a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Greco Roman wrestling team, came to Wheaton after serving as an assistant coach for U.S. Greco Roman wrestling team at the U.S. Olympic Education Center in Marquette, Michigan from 2005-09. 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 U.S. Champion, Gruenwald completed his competitive career in 2008 as a National Champion. He also won titles in 2003 and 2004.
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 Championships 20-Win Club, with 22 career victories at the prestigious tournament.
Jim and his wife Rachel have six children: son Adin and five daughters, Arwyn, Ava, Autumn, Aleyse and Ashley.
On this episode of the podcast, Coach Jim talks about the motto "Jesus Christ is life, the rest is just wrestling," why he believes balance is stupid, competing in the Olympics, and how he recruits his players.
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