University of Dubuque Wrestling

09/06/2026

Great to see our UD wrestlers and Spartan families out supporting UD Football at today’s home opener! 🏈💙

Excited about the coaching staff, this team, and the future of Spartan Football. Proud to be part of a community that shows up for one another!

Go Spartans! 💪

09/05/2026

Welcome Fernando to Spartan Wrestling!

https://www.facebook.com/share/19FrgwbV6L/?mibextid=wwXIfr

University of Dubuque's director of athletics, Michael Feuling, has announced the hiring of Fernando Villaescusa (fur-NON-doh VEE-uh-SKOO-suh) as the next head women's wrestling coach. Villaescusa joins the Spartans after spending the last six years as a member of the Iowa State University Cyclones....

08/28/2026

🇺🇸 SPARTANS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE! 🌎🤼

Proud of former University of Dubuque NCAA All-Americans and Spartan alumni Brady and Dylan Koontz competing for Team USA in Warsaw, Poland!

🥇 Brady Koontz — 55 kg GOLD MEDALIST!
Brady went undefeated and captured the championship, finishing with an impressive 8–0 technical fall in the finals!

🇺🇸 Dylan Koontz — 60 kg
Dylan also represented Team USA and picked up an 8–0 technical fall victory while competing against a strong international field.

From NCAA All-Americans at the University of Dubuque to continuing to test themselves against some of the best wrestlers in the world — proud to see these Spartan alumni still competing and representing!

Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan.

🔗 Read the USA Wrestling recap:
https://www.themat.com/news/2026/august/27/brady-koontz-otto-black-earn-medals-as-u-s-closes-greco-roman-competition-sage-mortimer-and-sydney-petzinger-reach-podium-at-poland-open

GrecoRoman SpartanAlumni

08/27/2026

Classes are underway and Spartan Wrestling is fired up.

There’s a lot of excitement around this group and what we have an opportunity to build this year.

Our mission is bigger than wrestling: develop great students, great wrestlers and great men.

The standard starts now—in the classroom, in the wrestling room, and in how we represent each other every day.

CARE • COMMIT • COMPETE • COMMUNICATE

Handle your business.
Train to Win. to Last.

The 2026–27 journey starts now. Let’s go, Spartans!

CollegeWrestling

08/25/2026

A New Chapter Begins.

Great morning at Spartan Freshman Orientation with some of our University of Dubuque Men’s & Women’s Wrestling freshmen together on Chalmers Field!

New school. New teammates. New opportunities. One Spartan Wrestling family.. Excited to watch this group grow in the classroom, on the mat and as people.

The future of Spartan Wrestling is here. Let’s get to work! 💪🤼

TrainToWin OneTeam

08/24/2026

🏛️ SPARTAN START — MOVE-IN DAY! 🔵⚪️🤼

Today was about more than moving into a dorm.

It was the beginning of a new year, new relationships, new goals, and another chapter of University of Dubuque Wrestling.

We welcomed our wrestlers and their families to campus, got everyone moved in, and enjoyed watching the football team prepare for the year ahead. It was also special to pray together on the field with the Whitewater team. Outstanding job by the football staff for creating a moment that reflected what makes the University of Dubuque so special.

Faith and family are two of the pillars of the University of Dubuque, and it is no different with our wrestling program.

To our parents and families — THANK YOU. Your sacrifice, support, encouragement, and belief helped these young men get here. Families aren’t on the outside of our program. You are part of the Spartan Wrestling family.

As we look ahead to the year, we are excited for the work, growth, challenges, and opportunities in front of us. The foundation is being built together, and the standard is clear.

Now the work begins.

Gratitude. Attitude. Standards. Faith. Family.

🔵⚪️ SPARTAN WRESTLING — ONE FAMILY, BUILT TOGETHER. BUILT TO LAST.

TrainToWin BuiltToLast CollegeWrestling FaithAndFamily Family

08/23/2026

🔥 MOVE-IN DAY. IT’S GO TIME.

Welcome home, Spartans! ⚔️

A new group of wrestlers arrives on campus today.

New teammates.
New opportunities.
New goals.
One Spartan Wrestling Family.

The work starts now.

GRATITUDE • ATTITUDE • STANDARDS

🤼‍♂️🤼‍♀️ TRAIN TO WIN. BUILT TO LAST.

CollegeWrestling

08/20/2026

UD WRESTLING MOURNS THE LOSS OF FORMER SPARTAN BRANDON DUFOE

The University of Dubuque Wrestling family is deeply saddened by the passing of former Spartan wrestler Brandon Dufoe, 39, of Grinnell, Iowa.

Brandon was a two-time Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament qualifier at Grinnell High School before continuing his wrestling career at the University of Dubuque.

But Brandon’s impact on wrestling went far beyond his time as a competitor. He gave back to the sport as a middle school coach and spent the last 11 years officiating youth and high school wrestling. In 2025, he was honored as the Iowa AAU Women’s Wrestling Official of the Year. Iowa AAU Wrestling also established The Dufoe Service Beyond the Mat Award in his honor, recognizing courageous individuals who demonstrate perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

Those qualities defined Brandon.

Following his cancer diagnosis, Brandon chose to remain positive, live life to the fullest, and focus on making memories with the people he loved. Above everything else, he was a devoted father to his son, Nolan, who was the center of his life.

Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to Nolan, Brandon’s parents Dwight and Laura, his sister LaRae and her family, and all of Brandon’s relatives, friends, teammates, coaches, coworkers, and members of the wrestling community who loved him.

Visitation:
Sunday, August 23 | 1:00–6:00 PM
Smith Funeral Home — Grinnell, Iowa

Funeral Service:
Monday, August 24 | 10:30 AM
Grinnell Christian Church

Interment will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery, with a luncheon afterward at the Harris Center on the Grinnell College campus.

In lieu of flowers, Brandon’s family has asked that contributions be made to Nolan’s education fund through Smith Funeral Home.

Brandon’s courage, service to wrestling, love for his family, and determination to make every day count will not be forgotten.

May God bring comfort, strength, and peace to the Dufoe family.

Once a Spartan, Always a Spartan. 💙🙏

Rest in peace, Brandon.

— University of Dubuque Wrestling

08/14/2026

Exciting updates happening in Spartan Nation!

Our Sports Athletic Training Room is getting upgraded as Vince and our athletic training staff continue improving what will serve as the second athletic training facility on campus.

Another great resource for our student-athletes and another step forward for our program.

Looking forward to a great year ahead! 🔵⚪️

08/09/2026

🤼‍♂️ GREAT DAY TO BE A SPARTAN! 🔵⚪️

Day 3 at the RMN Tournament and I’m here representing University of Dubuque Wrestling, recruiting and connecting with some of the best wrestlers and families in the country!

Proud to be here alongside Abraham Galicia and Gavin Ross as we continue building something special at UD.

🔥 STILL LOOKING FOR DIFFERENCE-MAKERS!

If you’re a wrestler who wants to:

🏆 Compete for championships
🎓 Earn a great education
💪 Develop on and off the mat
🤼 Train in a championship environment
📈 Become the best version of yourself

Come find me today at RMN!

Parents, coaches and wrestlers — I’d love to meet you, talk wrestling, and tell you more about the opportunities at the University of Dubuque.

CARE • COMMIT • COMPETE • COMMUNICATE

🔵⚪️ TRAIN TO WIN. BUILT TO LAST.
CollegeWrestling RMNWrestling Recruiting