Messiah University

Bryan Brunk enters his 23rd season at the helm of Messiah wrestling in 2025-26, serving as the program’s fifth head coach in their 40-plus year history. Prior to coming to Messiah in 2003, Brunk was an assistant coach for the University of Southern Maine from 1998-2003. He served at Southern Maine under long-time mentor Ted Reese — a Maine Amateur Wrestling Association Hall of Fame Coach and National High School Coach of the Year.

NOTABLE MESSIAH ACCOLADES

• 279-161 overall dual record at Messiah
• Coached Four NCAA Division III Wrestling National Champions
  • Kaleb Loht (141 lbs., 2014), Lucas Malmberg (125 lbs., 2016 and 2017), Ben Swarr (174 lbs., 2016)
• Coached 35 All-Americans
• 21 seasons with NCAA Tournament Qualifiers
  • Five Top-10 Team Finishes at Nationals
  • 2016 National Runner-Up Finish as a team
• Five Conference Championships
  • 2013 (Empire), 2014 (MAC), 2016 (MAC), 2017 (MAC), 2018 (MAC)
• Six Regional Championships
  • 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
• Two-time National Coach of the Year
  • 2014, 2016
• 2004 NWCA NCAA Division III Rookie Coach of the Year
• 2005 NWCA Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award
  • Bestowed to “an outstanding coach who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing young student-athletes”
• Seven-time Conference Coach of the Year
  • 2005 (MAC), 2012 (EMPIRE), 2014 (MAC), 2016 (MAC), 2017 (MAC), 2018 (MAC), 2019 (MAC)
• Coached one MAC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year
  • Ben Swarr (2018)
• Coached four Conference Wrestlers of the Year
  • Kaleb Loht (2014), Lucas Malmberg (2016, 2017), Ben Swarr (2018)
• Coached four Conference Rookies of the Year
  • Lucas Malmberg (2014), Stephen Maloney (2017), Kevin Edwards (2018), Josiah Gehr (2019)

COACHING BIO
Since being appointed the Falcons’ leader prior to the 2003-04 season, it has been easy to see the strong influence Brunk has had on the program. He was named the 2004 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) NCAA Division III Rookie Coach of the Year, and has since been honored as NWCA National Coach of the Year in both 2014 and 2016.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Brunk has orchestrated a program that has become known for excellence both on and off the mat. Messiah boasted the highest team GPA among all of NCAA Division III in 2006. They also finished second in both 2004 and 2007.

“We want to provide the best overall wrestling experience in the country,” Brunk said. “Team unity, academic excellence, spiritual growth and competitive wrestling ... those facets are equally important here. I think that’s what makes us unique. It’s common to find places where one or two of those things are important, but we pride ourselves on valuing the entire package.”

Brunk’s holistic approach has yielded incredible results, as Messiah has boasted an NCAA National Championships qualifier in all but one of Brunk’s years as head coach.

“We strive to win, but it’s not our overriding purpose,” Brunk said. “Make no mistake, winning is a clear goal. But it is not our purpose.”

As a prep, Brunk wrestled for Reese at Bonny Eagle High School, and delivered outstanding results: Splitting time between the 130- and 145-weight classes, Brunk compiled a 112-8 record, winning three Maine State Championships. He was named Honorable Mention All-American by Wrestling USA magazine and was named Academic All-American by Amateur Wrestling News.

Brunk began his collegiate career at Wheaton College (Ill.), serving the Crusaders as a two-year starter at 150 pounds. He placed fourth and second in the NCAA Division III West Regional, and was named the first alternate to the NCAA National Championships as a sophomore. While at Wheaton, Brunk finished second and first in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championships.

Brunk then transferred closer to home in 1996, attending Western New England College for his final two years of athletic eligibility. He won New England Conference Championships at the conclusion of each season, qualifying for the NCAA Championships as both a junior and a senior. During his final year of collegiate wrestling, Brunk was named an NWCA Academic All-American.

Brunk graduated from Western New England in 1998, earning a bachelor of arts degree in history. He received a master’s degree in teaching and learning from the University of Southern Maine in 2004.

Brunk has been married to his wife, Bethany, since 1999. The couple has five children: Asa, Reese, Abel, Kylen, and Maya. The family resides in Grantham.

COACHING BY SEASON

MESSIAH WRESTLING

Last updated: 06/18/25