Southeastern Community College has named Kolton Kersten as head coach of both its men's and women's wrestling programs, Athletics Director John McVey announced.

Kersten arrives at SCC with a resume that spans competition and coaching at multiple levels. A four-time state qualifier at perennial powerhouse Logan-Magnolia High School, Kersten went on to wrestle for Iowa Central Community College and Midland University, where he earned All-America honors. He has coached wrestling since 2016, with stops at Iowa Central and Midland, and also works as a motivational speaker.

Wrestling is a family tradition for Kersten. His uncle, Kent Kersten, is a Hall of Fame coach who posted a 645-123 career dual record -- third-best in Iowa history -- and led Logan-Magnolia to state titles in 2005 and 2011. His father, K.C. Kersten, coached at New London in the 1980s before returning to the Logan area.

Kersten replaces Gary Woods II, who guided the Blackhawks through the program's first two seasons before taking the head women's wrestling job at William Penn University. McVey extended the offer to Kersten directly, and the hire came together quickly: Kersten interviewed and accepted the position within a day, relocating his wife and two children to Burlington shortly after.

With the college's wrestling facility among the top in the region, Kersten's immediate focus is retaining current student-athletes and building the roster ahead of a season that will begin with a lean recruiting class due to the timing of his hire. Longer term, the program's goal remains unchanged: competing for national championships.

Kersten officially takes over the Blackhawks program effective immediately.