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MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine High School named Robert Struthers as its new head wrestling coach for the 2009 season with approval by the Muscatine School Board on Monday night.

Struthers will teach science at Muscatine High School.

He is a 2009 graduate of Wartburg College where he was a four-year wrestling letter winner for the Knights.

Struthers finished fourth in the country in Division III as a senior at 125 pounds in 2008. He was a part of two Division III national championship teams at Wartburg, also.

“All of the experiences I’ve had are great to be a part of,” Struthers said. “Being a state champion was a goal of mine as a little kid and when I moved up a level, being part of a high-caliber program, I didn’t quite get my goal to be a national champ, but I was an All-American.

“The team aspect, though, you can’t replace – to be a part of a team – the camaraderie.”

He attended Emmetsburg High School where he was a state champion in 2004 at 130 pounds. Struthers was also part of a state dual team title with Emmetsburg and a pair of traditional state team titles during his career. His team had a runner-up finish at the state tournament his senior season with the E’Hawks.

This past season, Struthers was an assistant coach at Waverly Shell-Rock High School which won both the traditional state tournament championship and the state dual team tournament. Struthers was still a student at Wartburg while serving as an assistant at Waverly-Shell Rock.

“At every level, I’ve learned something different,” Struthers said. “I get to teach what I’ve learned. I’ve had some really good wrestling coaches in Bob Kenney (Emmetsburg), Jim Miller and Eric Keller (Wartburg) and Rick Caldwell (Waverly Shell-Rock).

“Those are all prominent names in wrestling in the state of Iowa. I’m going to use (what) each one (taught me) in my coaching.”

When asked about the challenge of going from winning programs to Muscatine, which has hovered around the .500 mark during the last several years, Struthers said he hopes that will change under his direction.

“The places I have been are building blocks,” Struthers said. “I know what it takes to win. Muscatine isn’t there right now, but hopefully it will happen in the future.

“I guess, the way I look at it, we’ll be going against good competition (in the Mississippi Athletic Conference). Good competition will make you better and one of my goals is to win the conference in the next couple of years, which will be a big achievement.”

He added, “I’m pumped to be in the MAC – I’m excited to be on the mat with those guys.”

Struthers said he plans to meet with his wrestlers

on Thursday.

“I’m just trying to get a grasp on what’s going on,” Struthers said. “I want to meet the kids, get to know them. That’s the big thing – to meet the kids and know what’s going on.”

Muscatine High School athletic director Tim Goodwin was excited about the hiring of Struthers.

“We are thrilled to have Robert lead our wrestling program, not only for next season, but for years to come,” Goodwin said.

“What he brings is that championship mentality to our program. He was a state champion in high school, a national champion in college and was part of a coaching staff that won a pair of state championships this past year at the high school level.

“His intensity and passion will be instilled in our wrestlers and the work ethic that he will bring to the program will be seen immediately by everyone.

“Our kids will be challenged to step up and there will be great expectations from coach Struthers and his staff for all of our wrestlers. This is an exciting time for Muskie wrestling!”

Struthers said he is grateful to the Muscatine High School administration during the whole interview and hiring process.

“They’ve been very good to me,” Struthers said. “Hopefully, it goes well. I’m excited about being the coach at Muscatine.”