Bratland has big goals for Coast Guard wrestling program

Kevin Bratland got out of his comfort zone to pursue a career dream and he’s not looking back. Bratland, a 1997 Humboldt High School graduate and former Wartburg College two-time national wrestling placewinner, completed his first season as head coach of Coast Guard Academy, located in Bristol, RI. The academy is coming off last weekend’s NCAA Division III National Championships in Hershey, PA, where the Coast Guard had two national qualifiers with its 133-pounder Nate Giorgio placing fifth. Bratland, who was hired last July to lead the program, previously had coached North Central College in Naperville, IL, where he led the Cardinals to a 73-41-1 dual meet record and three College Conference of Illinois/Wisconsin championships while also being named conference Coach of the Year three times. His teams at North Central finished in the top 10 at the Division III championships three times. Bratland could have probably named his tenure at North Central, but the opportunity to lead a military academy burned inside, which made it easy to accept the position when he was offered the head coaching job last summer.See full story in the Humboldt Independent Newspaper Click the link above to begin your subscription today for full digital/print access to the Independent.