STORM LAKE — Mark Rial has been named the new head wrestling coach at Buena Vista University.

Jack Denholm, the Director of Athletics at the Iowa Conference school, made the announcement on Tuesday pending the completion of a standard background check.

Rial, a two-time state wrestling champion at Fort Dodge Senior High, recently served as an assistant coach under Luke Moffitt at Iowa Central. He replaces Jeff Breese, who coached the Beavers for four seasons.

“I’m very excited to become the next head wrestling coach at Buena Vista University,” Rial said. “I met a lot of great people during my time on campus for the interview process which makes it even more exciting. There are a lot of great things going on both on campus and within the wrestling program that makes it an attractive place to be.

“I feel very motivated to lead and to carry on the tradition of BVU wrestling, and with such passionate alumni here, it makes it even more exciting.”

Earlier this year, Rial was named a co-head coach for the U.S. Greco-Roman Cadet Team that will travel to Zagreb, Croatia in July to compete. He was also tabbed the Iowa USA Person of the Year in 2017.

A three-time letterwinner and co-captain at the University of Northern Iowa, Rial continued his career on the national scene. He was part of USA Wrestling from 2002-08, including claiming a national title in 2008.

Rial was also a five-time National Greco Roman All-American, a three-time University Nationals All-American and placed sixth at the Olympic Trials in 2004.

“We are thrilled to announce Mark Rial as the new head wrestling coach at Buena Vista University,” Denholm said. “His wrestling background is very impressive and he is motivated to create a successful program here. All of his valuable experience and leadership skills will give him the tools to make an impact.”

Along with his two state titles as a Dodger, Rial also finished second and was named the Henry W. Schultz winner. He went on to graduate from UNI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studies in 2001.

Rial later returned to work with the Panthers from 2008-10 as the wrestling strength and conditioning coach before his run with Iowa Central, which included a pair of NJCAA national titles.