Dalen Wasmund, left, coaching at Minnesota's state high school wrestling tournament (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)Dalen Wasmund, head wrestling coach at nationally-ranked prep powerhouse Apple Valley High School, has announced his retirement from coaching.
Wasmund, who took the helm of the suburban Twin Cities mat program just before the 2012-13 season, has guided the Eagles to five consecutive Minnesota Class 3A team titles, adding to the school's streak of a dozen state team championships.
Wasmund came to Apple Valley in 1982 as an assistant wrestling coach. After taking a few years away from the Eagles wrestling program to coach at Eagan High School, Wasmund returned to Apple Valley as an assistant. He was promoted to head coach in 2012 when long-time coach Jim Jackson resigned.
Wasmund leaves Apple Valley wrestling in a good place, with a roster of top sophomores and juniors, along with superstar senior heavyweight Gable Steveson.
"I just think it would be an easy time for a coach to transition in and have some good kids ready to go," Wasmund told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
That said, Wasmund left the door open to offering assistance to the new coach.
"I would certainly help and am certainly game to keep coaching and keep watching the sport that I love," Wasmund said.
Prior to becoming a high school coach 35 years ago, Wasmund crafted an impressive on-the-mat career. He was a two-time Minnesota state wrestling champ for Worthington High School in the mid-1970s. At the University of Minnesota, Wasmund was a Big Ten titlewinner and NCAA All-American.
Wasmund will continue as a mathematics teacher in the Apple Valley schools.
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