This past month the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference approved the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling to its list of sponsored championships. Now, Coach Eric Biehl and the team just coming off their first season, have a lot more to look forward to next season. 

In a recent press release SLIAC commissioner Dick Kaiser commented on its recent addition of another championship. Kaiser noted, “… a conference championship tournament provides an outstanding format for our student-athletes to showcase their talents.” Competing in a championship is the goal for every team at the start of the season. But for those who didn’t know what their future held, it meant the world to get back on the mat and compete again. Many wrestlers here at Eureka College are transfers from Lincoln College, who had their collegiate plans change abruptly. “Eureka College means a lot to the wrestlers at Lincoln. They opened their doors to us and started a program so we, along with new recruits, could have a home and stay together as a family,” said Biehl. 

For former 4x Alaska State Champion and National Qualifier McKenzie Cook, Eureka College isn’t just another institution thousands away from home but a family that she can depend on at a minute’s notice. “Being away from home is hard, Coach Biehl and the team just make it feel like home, they are my second family.” said Cook. Going into her junior season, Cook is stoked about competing for a championship. “To bring Eureka its first-ever wrestling championship, nonetheless a women’s wrestling championship would be awesome.”  

With everyone hungry as ever after its first season, Coach Biehl and the team have a chance to make history again. “These championships give our student-athletes another chance to compete for something big. We will be in a good position to win the conference in year one and have many weekly and yearly awards for our athletes. That’s exciting for them all!”. Going into next season with high hopes, the red devils are ready to make some noise!