OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University Athletics has announced that Hunter Wagner has been named head coach of the Braves men's wrestling program and Parker Wright has been elevated in his role. Former head coach Dalton Weidl will continue to lead the Ottawa University women's wrestling program after guiding the Braves to continued success on the national stage.

Wagner and Wright both enter their third seasons on the Ottawa coaching staff after serving as assistant coaches with the Braves. The pair brings strong recruiting ties, coaching experience, and firsthand knowledge of the Ottawa University wrestling tradition following standout collegiate careers in the program.

"We are excited to have Hunter leading our men's wrestling program and Parker continuing in a key leadership role on staff," said Ottawa University Co-Director of Athletics Donald Anderson. "Both coaches understand the expectations and culture of Ottawa University wrestling. They have already made a positive impact on the program as assistant coaches and are committed to developing successful student-athletes on and off the mat."

Wagner returned to Ottawa University after serving in the Wattsburg Area School District in Wattsburg, Pa., where he was the head wrestling coach at Seneca High School and worked as an ELA Learning Support instructor at Wattsburg Area Middle School.

A former Brave wrestler, Wagner was a two-year letterman for Ottawa and a three-time NAIA National Tournament qualifier at 149 pounds, qualifying twice for Ottawa and once at Missouri Valley College. He earned All-KCAC honors twice, winning the KCAC Championship in 2022 and finishing runner-up in 2023.

Wagner compiled a 28-17 career record at Ottawa with a 14-10 dual mark. He was also recognized for his work in the classroom, earning NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete honors in 2022-23. Wagner graduated from Ottawa University with a degree in elementary education.

Wright enters his third season on the Ottawa coaching staff after helping guide the Braves through a successful recruiting cycle that brought in a large recruiting class for the 2025-26 season. During his first year as an assistant coach, Wright also completed his Master's in Arts Leadership.

As a student-athlete, Wright was a four-year letterman for the Braves and one of the program's most accomplished wrestlers. He captured the KCAC Championship at 141 pounds during the 2020-21 season and earned All-KCAC honors three times during his career.

Wright finished his Ottawa career with an 85-38 overall record, including a 28-7 mark in dual competition. He recorded 22 career falls and technical falls during his time with the Braves.

In addition to his accomplishments on the mat, Wright excelled academically and as a campus leader. He graduated from Ottawa University in May of 2023 with a degree in exercise science and completed his masters of arts in leadership in 2025. Wright earned Dean's List honors in 2020 and 2023, was named to the Dean's Honor Roll in 2019, 2021, and 2022, received Ottawa's KCAC Champion of Character Award, and was selected as OU's 2022 Homecoming King.

Together, Wagner and Wright will lead the Braves into the next chapter of Ottawa University men's wrestling while continuing to build on the program's tradition both on and off the mat.