Wrestling 11/3/2020 10:03:00 AM Bryan Marshall, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

Big Blue Wrestling Marks Fifth Anniversary of Return to Competition

November 3, 2020 marks the five year anniversary of the restart of the Millikin University wrestling program. The program that was disbanded in 2008 made an impressive return to the mat downing Hannibal LaGrange College 49-0 on November 3, 2015 at the Griswold Center.

University officials had modest expectations for the programs first few seasons, but those thoughts weren't held by the Big Blue's first year head coach Ryan Birt. Initial plans called for a roster between 10-15 athletes. In his first few months on the job, Birt hit the recruiting trail hard and opened the 2015-16 with a roster of more than 35 wrestlers.

When Birt was hired, Millikin had no mats and no practice facility. Millikin's opening night rout was an early signal of some impressive accomplishments the program would accomplish in its first five years. The young Big Blue program has won Millikin's first ever College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) wrestling team championship and two second place finished. The Big Blue have had 11 individual CCIW Champions with 30 wrestlers earning All-Conference honors. Under Birt's direction, the Millikin program became an instant factor on a nation level with 14 NCAA qualifiers and 12 NCAA Division III All-Americans. The Big Blue finished tied for ninth at the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships with two wrestlers finishing as national runner-ups. Millikin had high hopes for the 2020 Championships with four national qualifiers, but the event was canceled due COVID-19 pandemic.

While Birt is very pleased with the first five seasons, his high expectations for the program continue to grow. Click on the link below to hear Coach Birt's thoughts on wrestling program's success and what the future holds for the Big Blue.

Head Coach Ryan Birt Interview

Recap and Video of November 3, 2015 Match

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