Wrestling

Dana College competes in the NAIA, but boasts a schedule with many of the nation’s elite NCAA Division I and II teams year in and year out.

Dana College is located in Blair, Nebraska.  Blair and Dana College are small, but are just 20 miles north of metropolitan Omaha, Nebraska. Student athletes can enjoy the personal attention of a small-town college as well as the benefits of a metro area.

Coming off their most successful season ever, the 2007-08 Vikings will continue their power-packed schedule that boosted them to a first place NAIA National Tournament finish in 2006 and a fourth place finish in 2007. That performance added to the Vikings hardware collection. In 2007, 12 Viking wrestlers completed their seasons as NAIA All-Americans, bringing the total to 38 All-Americans since 2000.

Head Coach Beau Vest and staff strive for a commitment to excellence when looking for potential recruits, not just the most successful athletes.

“We are looking for kids that want to continue their development on the mat while excelling in the classroom," said Vest.  "We have a great coaching staff that can provide a good deal of one-on-one help on the mat as well as in the classroom."

Dana's $6-million athletic facility, the Gardner-Hawks Center, provides a big school atmosphere. One-on-one attention is the main focus not only for the coaching staff, but the faculty as well. Dana College prides itself in providing an overall successful college experience.

A majority of Dana College students take their education beyond the classroom. Ninety-eight percent of students are involved in a campus organization and 70 percent of the students participate in intercollegiate athletics.

Overall, being a Dana College wrestler is preparation for the real world. “Members of our team learn the life skills that will help them to be successful in life," Vest said.  "Our goal is to help the students develop into well rounded individuals."