Ouachita Baptist Wrestling Hires First Assistant Coach

 

Arkadelphia – Ouachita Baptist wrestling head coach Kevin Ward is excited to announce the hiring of Chris Chionuma as the program’s first assistant coach.

“I am so excited he is joining our staff and know he will have a great impact on our program,” Ward said.  He is a person of strong character first and foremost, and he has a very impressive and accomplished wrestling career.”

Coach Chionuma will bring championship level experience to a talented Tiger squad. He began his wrestling career at Lindenwood University where he was a NAIA National Champion in 2011. In 2013, he was a starter for the Big XII Champion Oklahoma State Cowboys. That team finished 2nd in the NCAA tournament.

The unique experiences of having wrestled at the highest level at both a small program and a Division I powerhouse will be a great coaching tool for Coach Chionuma according to Coach Ward. “He knows what it’s like to get a team ready to compete for a national title.”

When Coach Chionuma talks about goals for the OBU squad this year, championship caliber effort is a priority. “I expect all of our athletes to give 100%. The finish will represent how much effort we will put in. I see us placing as high as top 5 this year with a national champion in our lineup,” Chionuma said. “My goals are to bring out the best in each wrestler on and off the mat, sharpen technique and build a hard working mentality to the foundation to our program.”

When asked what drew him to Ouachita Baptist, Chionuma said, “I chose Ouachita because they had just begun their program and are setting the bar high for Arkansas wrestling. Being able to coach with fellow former OSU Cowboy Kevin Ward will give me the experience I need to be the best coach for our athletes as well.”

Ouachita Baptist Wrestling hits the mat in November.

Coach Chris Chionuma’s accomplishments:

  • 3X NAIA All-American
  • 2010 – NAIA Runner-up
  • 2011 – NAIA National Champion
  • 2013 – Big XII Champ
  • 2013 – Starter for an Oklahoma State team that finished 2nd at the NCAA Championships
  • All-Academic Big-XII

Courtesy Ouachita Baptist University Department of Athletics

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