COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. -- Saint John's University has named Alex Van Krevelen as head wrestling coach.

Van Krevelen, whose hiring was announced Tuesday (April 14), served as head wrestling coach at Shakopee High School the past five seasons (2021-26) where he led the Sabers to Minnesota Class AAA runner-up finishes in 2026 and 2025, as well as third-place finishes in 2024 and 2022. Six of the 11 state qualifiers placed in the top six in February, including three state champions and two runners-up.

"I'm incredibly honored and excited to lead this program," Van Krevelen said. "From the moment I stepped on campus and met the athletic administration and wrestling team, I knew this was where I wanted to be."

Shakopee compiled a 133-20 dual record and qualified 45 wrestlers for the state tournament, 25 of whom placed in the top six during Van Krevelen's five-year tenure: four champions, six runners-up, four third-place, four fourth-place, four fifth-place and three sixth-place.

"My vision is to build a program rooted in discipline, accountability and daily growth," Van Krevelen added. "We'll focus on doing the small things right, consistently, while creating an environment where our wrestlers can reach their full potential, both on the mat and in life.

"I'm committed to bringing a new level of passion and energy to this program. The landscape of SJU wrestling will change immediately, and I'm confident Saint John's wrestling will be part of the conversation when discussing NCAA Division III powerhouses in the coming years."

A four-time Section 6AAA Head Coach of the Year, Van Krevelen directed Shakopee to four section championships and won the South Suburban Conference four times.

He currently serves as the junior director for Minnesota USA Wrestling. In the role, he runs and organizes major events for juniors and leads the Team Minnesota junior team. Prior to the junior director position, Van Krevelen was the organization's schoolboy director for five years.

Van Krevelen coached for seven years (2014-21) as an assistant coach at Prior Lake High School. Prior to that, he coached three years (2011-14) at St. Michael-Albertville High School).

"We are excited to welcome Alex as our new wrestling coach," SJU director of athletics Dan O'Brien said. "His energy and proven success at the highest level of Minnesota high school wrestling will make an immediate impact at Saint John's. His strong reputation throughout the state and Upper Midwest will be a tremendous asset in recruiting.

"As just one of three Division III wrestling programs in Minnesota, we're confident that Alex is the right person to elevate our program. His ability to connect with and develop wrestlers will allow us to attract student-athletes who are committed to competing at a high level and growing as young men."

Van Krevelen, an Andover, Minn., native, started wrestling in ninth grade and was a captain for the Huskies in 2008 and 2009. He then wrestled for Rochester Community and Technical College for two years.

Van Krevelen earned his bachelor's degree in physical education and health teaching from Concordia University-St. Paul in 2019 and completes a master's degree in educational leadership from CSP this month.

Outside of the wrestling room, Van Krevelen has served as a health and physical education teacher at Shakopee West Middle School since August 2021. He also coached outside linebackers for the Sabers' varsity football team and did the same at Prior Lake from 2017-20.

SJU (4-6 dual record) finished 10th of 16 teams at the NCAA Regional in February. Junior Connor Krueger (Superior, Wis.) became the first Johnnie since 2020 to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships when he made the field at 133 pounds.

Krueger, sophomore Thomas Holmquist (Mendota Heights, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) and freshman Carson Gellerman (Becker, Minn./Big Lake) earned National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-America honors.