Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Nelson Brands starred as a prep wrestler at West High before a stellar collegiate career at the University of Iowa.

Brands will begin his career as a wrestling coach in the same city where he starred on the mat.

Regina announced it had hired Brands as its head wrestling coach in a press release on Monday afternoon.

Brands replaces another former Iowa wrestler, Drew Bennett who led the Regina program last season.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nelson to the Regina community,” Regina Activities Director Taylor Hotek said. “His experience as an athlete speaks for itself, but what impressed me most during the hiring process was how positive and personable he is. He has a natural ability to connect with student-athletes and has a genuine passion for growing the sport. Both of which are high priorities in our programs. I know he will be a tremendous addition to our coaching staff and school community.”

As a prep Brands was one of the best wrestlers in West High history.

Brands was a four-time Mississippi Valley Conference champion and won Class 3A state titles in each of his final three prep seasons.

One of only three three-time state champions in West High history, Brands went 163-5 over his final three high school seasons.

Brands was a member of the Iowa wrestling program from 2018 to 2024 finishing fifth at the NCAA national championship in 2023 and earning NCAA Academic All-American honors twice during his career.

“I’m so excited to join the Regina community and coach my athletes to accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves,” Brands said in a release. “Wrestling has always been my passion and coaching Regina Wrestling to individual and team state championships is the goal to chase. Let’s build something special and successful. Go Regals!”

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