CHADRON – Brett Hunter has been named the head wrestling coach at Chadron State College, athletic director Brad Smith announced.
 
Hunter, a Rushville native, has been the interim coach since the summer of 2012.
 
“It feels great to be the coach at my alma mater,” Hunter said. “This is a great position to have and a responsibility I won’t take lightly. I will work hard every day to continue the tradition of the CSC wrestling program and contend for regional and national honors. I would like to thank the hiring committee and especially Coach Ritzen for helping mold me into the coach I am today.”
 
Hunter, a two-time national champion and the Eagles’ all-time winningest wrestler, replaced Ritzen, who retired from coaching in June of 2012.

He helped lead the Eagles to a 7-8 record last season and guided two wrestlers – Jordan Debus and Perry McAfee – to All-American honors.
 
Hunter, a Rushville native, is one of the all-time great wrestlers to compete at Chadron State. He is the school’s only repeat national champion – winning at 165 and 174 pounds in 2007 and 2009 – and he has the most wins in school history with a record of 133-32.

He also had a stellar high school wrestling career at Rushville High School. He was a two-time state champion, four-time placer and had a prep record of 141-10.

Prior to being named as the interim head coach, Hunter served as a graduate assistant under Ritzen for two years and was a student assistant coach the year before that.

Hunter and his wife, Ashley, a native of Sargent, Neb., were married in the summer of 2011. The couple is expecting a child in May.