OCU adds Katie Cygan and Mitch Brown as wrestling coaches
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by Rich Tortorelli
OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City University has named Mitch Brown and Katie Cygan assistant coaches for its men's and women's wrestling programs.
Brown coached alongside OCU coach Archie Randall at prep powerhouse El Reno High School, while Cygan has experienced individual success on the international level in women's freestyle wrestling.
Both Brown and Cygan will mentor the OCU men's and women's teams and assist Randall and head assistant Link Davis in all aspects of the programs.
"The addition of Katie and Mitch will help our program move forward to another level" OCU coach Archie Randall said. "Mitch Brown has been a longtime assistant of mine and will be able to step into our program and provide immediate impact. Katie with her knowledge of international competition will help our program reach the competitive level we need at the international level."
Cygan has accumulated several individual accolades during a distinguished international career, which includes:
- 2005 and 2007 World bronze medalist
- Three-time World Team member
- Three-time Senior Nationals champion
- Five-time World Team Trials champion
- 2001 World Cup champion
- Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Cygan had been training in Colorado Springs, Colo., since 2003. She is married to Joe Cygan. When she competed, she was known by her maiden name, Katie Downing.
She recently aided OCU's Brittany Roberts in finishing first at 67 kilograms in the Pan American Junior Championships.
"I am excited to work with the athletes, coaches and Oklahoma City University staff in a wrestling program that has attained and maintained an impressive level of success" Cygan said. "I look forward to applying my experiences in postgraduate studies and elite level wrestling to the Oklahoma City University wrestling program. I am honored to work with coaches Randall, Davis and Brown toward cultivating excellence on the mat, in the classroom, and in the lives of our wrestlers."
The Stars have captured the past two Women's College Wrestling Association championships and three NWCA women's national dual titles. On the men's side, OCU had two all-Americans and finished tied for 13th place in the NAIA Championships last season.
While at El Reno, Brown became a part of 10 state championship teams and nine dual state championship teams. He earned Oklahoma assistant coach of the year seven times and national assistant coach of the year once. Brown mentored 50 individual state champions.
Brown spent 12 years coaching the Oklahoma team on the national level, bringing five Junior National Duals titles and three cadet national crowns to the state.
During his high school days, Brown won the state championship and became an all-state for Western Heights in Oklahoma City. Brown has since become a 25-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, holding the rank of major. Brown has a wife, Sharon, and two children, Presley (5) and Teague (3).
Brown coached alongside OCU coach Archie Randall at prep powerhouse El Reno High School, while Cygan has experienced individual success on the international level in women's freestyle wrestling.
Both Brown and Cygan will mentor the OCU men's and women's teams and assist Randall and head assistant Link Davis in all aspects of the programs.
"The addition of Katie and Mitch will help our program move forward to another level" OCU coach Archie Randall said. "Mitch Brown has been a longtime assistant of mine and will be able to step into our program and provide immediate impact. Katie with her knowledge of international competition will help our program reach the competitive level we need at the international level."
Cygan has accumulated several individual accolades during a distinguished international career, which includes:
- 2005 and 2007 World bronze medalist
- Three-time World Team member
- Three-time Senior Nationals champion
- Five-time World Team Trials champion
- 2001 World Cup champion
- Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame
Cygan had been training in Colorado Springs, Colo., since 2003. She is married to Joe Cygan. When she competed, she was known by her maiden name, Katie Downing.
She recently aided OCU's Brittany Roberts in finishing first at 67 kilograms in the Pan American Junior Championships.
"I am excited to work with the athletes, coaches and Oklahoma City University staff in a wrestling program that has attained and maintained an impressive level of success" Cygan said. "I look forward to applying my experiences in postgraduate studies and elite level wrestling to the Oklahoma City University wrestling program. I am honored to work with coaches Randall, Davis and Brown toward cultivating excellence on the mat, in the classroom, and in the lives of our wrestlers."
The Stars have captured the past two Women's College Wrestling Association championships and three NWCA women's national dual titles. On the men's side, OCU had two all-Americans and finished tied for 13th place in the NAIA Championships last season.
While at El Reno, Brown became a part of 10 state championship teams and nine dual state championship teams. He earned Oklahoma assistant coach of the year seven times and national assistant coach of the year once. Brown mentored 50 individual state champions.
Brown spent 12 years coaching the Oklahoma team on the national level, bringing five Junior National Duals titles and three cadet national crowns to the state.
During his high school days, Brown won the state championship and became an all-state for Western Heights in Oklahoma City. Brown has since become a 25-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, holding the rank of major. Brown has a wife, Sharon, and two children, Presley (5) and Teague (3).
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