ANGOLA, IND. -- The Trine University men's wrestling program announces the addition of Garrett Pepple to its coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Pepple begins his coaching career after five years in the college ranks as a competitor on the mat with the majority of his time spent at Indiana University (2015-19) and also wrestled at Michigan State University last season as a red-shirt senior. As a senior at MSU, Pepple was a 2020 NCAA Championships Alternate selection at 133 pounds after finishing the year with a 16-16 overall mark. He was ranked as high as No. 20 in NCAA RPI Rankings and faced eight ranked opponents on the season.
In his four years at Indiana (2015-19), Pepple compiled a 36-43 overall record and was a three-year letterwinner.
The Angola, Indiana native had an accomplished career at East Noble High School (2011-15) where he was a two-time State champion and two-time runner-up. He ended his prep career with a 136-7 mark which included a perfect 46-0 record his senior season. He also won three NHC conference titles, three sectional championships, three regional championships, and two semi-state titles. He set East Noble single-season records for falls (36), wins (46), and tournament points, in addition to his 96 career falls was also an East Noble record. Pepple was a three-time All-American at the Disney Duals and earned two Cadet USAW Folkstyle All-American honors. In addition, he posted a fourth-place finish at the 2014 Super 32.
Following his senior season, Pepple earned the 2015 Dave Schultz Excellence Award in the state of Indiana and is given to those who show excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship and community service. The award is given by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum and is in honor of Olympic and World champion wrestler, Dave Schultz.
"We are extremely excited about adding Pepple to the staff," said Trine Head Wrestling Coach Tom Hall. "He will add much needed experience to our lighter weight classes as well as more great knowledge to the team. Pepple has been a fierce competitor for many years and we cannot wait to see what he can accomplish as a coach."