FULLERTON, Calif. -- Hope International University is proud to announce our intent to launch a men's wrestling program beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. Shawn Contos will lead the inaugural program as head coach.

Contos comes to HIU, having previously led programs at Lyon College (AR), Iowa Wesleyan University (IA), and St. John's High School and Academy (OH). Contos has also served on the coaching staff at such institutions as Iowa State University, University of Maryland, and Pennsylvania State University with Cael Sanderson's storied team that won four NCAA National Wrestling Championships. Coach Contos has wrestled internationally, competing in the 2012 Olympic Trials, ranked in the top ten in the nation at the senior level, and won several national championships.

His education includes completed coursework at Briar Cliff University, University of Michigan, and St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio. Contos is certified as a Bronze Level coach with USA Wrestling, a level one CrossFit coach, as well as a certification in level one Olympic weightlifting and kettlebell training.

Asked about launching the program, Contos said, "I am excited to get things started and to bring together a group of like-minded individuals to glorify God with our effort. We are going to work on reaching the best version of ourselves and have fun doing what we love, focused on high-level technique and training at the highest capacity. I look forward to witnessing the development of these wrestlers on the mat, in the classroom, and spiritually as we strive to be our best and to praise Jesus Christ with all that we say and do."