Trine Wrestling History

Under head coach Dan Callahan, Trine launched the Thunder wrestling program in 2004.  The Thunder competed in the  Mid-States Conference for the next 13 years, winning the teem title in 2009-2010, as well as being NCAA Midwest regional runner-up in 2009 and 2010.  Callahan was named the Mid-State Conference Coach of the Year in 2006-2007 and 2009-2010, as well as producing a three-time NCAA All-American and 14 Academic All-Americans. During the 2014-15 season, Callahan guided a pair of wrestlers to appearances in the NCAA Division III National Championships. Coach Callahan celebrated many years of service to both Trine Wrestling and Trine Athletics and retired in June 2024.

During the summer of 2016, Tom Hall was brought on as Assistant Coach for the Thunder program, after realizing significant collegiate success of his own on the mat.

In May 2018, Hall was named to the Head Coach position, upon the transition of Callahan to the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance position.  Hall transitioned the program to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference (MIAA) for the 2018-2019 academic year when the MIAA returned to sponsoring wrestling after a 35 year hiatus.

In the few short years under Coach Hall's leadership, the program has produced  16 NWCA Scholar All-Americans, 1 CSC Academic All-District recipient, *14 Regional Placers (*2020-21 NCAA suspended regional/national competition for COVID protocols, therefore no regional or national qualifiers were awarded), and 1 NCAA Division III National Qualifier!

Coach Hall continues to grow the program and push for success.  Coach Hall has surrounded himself with an all-star coaching staff in Assistant Josh Stephenson, Volunteer Assistant Frank Bumgardner, Volunteer Assistant Matt Koontz and Volunteer Assistant (and former Thunder standout) Luke Carver. The team is looking forward to adding to the Volunteer Assistant ranks this upcoming year with the addition of recent Thunder Wrestling grads, Jett Boots, Isaac Hawkins and Joey Langeman, which speaks to the impact of Coach Hall's leadership.