Before stepping onto the mat as WRA’s Varsity Wrestling Coach, Ian Miller was once a high school wrestler, competing in one of the biggest wrestling tournaments out there. Now, that moment has come full circle as he returns to the tournament, this time as a member of the USA Ohio coaching staff for the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, an event known among wrestling circles as the ultimate proving ground for high school wrestlers.

“It is an absolute honor to be selected to be on the USA Ohio Fargo coaching staff,” said Miller. “Fargo is the toughest freestyle national tournament in the country for high schoolers to compete in, and I am really looking forward to being a part of it.”

Miller applied back in March and got the official email last Friday, confirming his spot on the coaching roster. Though this will be his first time coaching at Fargo, his familiarity with the intensity of the tournament as a young competitor gives him a unique advantage. “The USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championship is known as the pinnacle of national tournaments that high school kids can compete in,” he explained. “Each state selects their best wrestlers to represent their state at this tournament, which is why it is so competitive. Ohio is one of the premier wrestling states in the country and I am looking forward to coaching these kids on the biggest stage.”

When asked what he hopes to take away from the experience, Miller didn’t miss a beat: “I think opportunities like this really help you grow and develop as a coach. Being able to be around a lot of other great Ohio coaches and see what they are doing or how they are coaching will help me continue to develop those skills.”

From the other side of the Midwest stretch, WRA will be proud to cheer our coach on as he takes on this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see how this experience will sharpen his coaching skills and inspire our very own wrestlers to compete to their fullest potential