SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sioux Falls Men's Wrestling head coach Matt Meuleners announced the hiring of Collin Purinton and Joe Gomez to his coaching staff earlier today.

"Collin will make an immediate impact on our program and student athletes," stated Meuleners. "After a great career at Nebraska and on the senior circuit, he understands what it takes to be successful on and off the mat."

Purinton comes to USF as an assistant coach following an outstanding collegiate and senior wrestling career. Prior to Sioux Falls, he spent the last three years as a senior athlete training out of the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center in Lincoln, Nebraska while also coaching a high school club wrestling team. In 2022, Purinton claimed a 3^rd place finish in the US Open Wrestling Championships followed by a 6^th place finish in 2023. Before beginning his senior career, Purinton was an All-American athlete at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He ended his career as an NCAA Qualifier and All-American along with an overall record of 52-35 while being named to the Big Ten All-Academic team. Purinton was also a four-time Nebraska Scholar Athlete for the Huskers. In 2020, he earned his bachelor's degree in nutrition, exercise and health science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

"I am excited to have Coach Gomez join our staff," stated Meuleners. "He brings great wrestling knowledge along with a stellar wrestling career to our program and we can't wait to see the impact he makes here at USF."

Gomez joins Meuleners staff as a volunteer assistant coach after spending the past four seasons at O'Gorman High School here in Sioux Falls. Prior to his coaching career, Gomez was a decorated wrestler at Northern State where he posted a career record of 108-39 over four years. As a three-time NCAA DII All-American, Gomez picked up a second place finish in 2016 at the NCAA National Championships after winning the NCAA Super Region Three Championship at 197-pounds. In 2015, he picked up his first All-American honor with an eighth place finish while finishing seventh in 2017 to secure his third and final All-American nod. Gomez also picked up numerous academic awards including a CoSIDA Academic All-American honor, the NSIC Britton Kelly Award and was also a three-time NWCA Scholar Athlete recipient. In 2017, Gomez earned his degree in biology from Northern State where he went on to spend two seasons as an assistant coach for the Wolves.

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