Orono Wrestling Coaching Staff
Head Coach Joe Mcpherson
Since 2011
Hometown: Ralson, NE
High School Alma Mater: Ralston High Schoo ’96
College Alma Mater: University Of Nebraska Omaha ’00
Family Members: Wife – Kathryn, Children – Morgan (Junior at Orono) & Brady (Freshman at Orono)
Previous Wrestling Experience: Wrestled since I was 5 years old through my senior year in High School
Precious Coaching Experience:
- State Entrants: 34
- State Champs: 3
- Section Team Coach of the Year: 3
- State Coach of the Year: 1
- All Conference: 9
- All State: 8
A little more about Head Coach Joe Mcoherson:
Developing a coaching style based on hard work, commitment and integrity is Joe’s philosophy for encouraging his students to achieve their goals, on and off of the mat. While studying at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Joe was a proud member of the baseball program and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
Currently, Joe owns Gordon James Construction with his business partner in Maple Plain, MN. He uses his experience as a team leader on the jobsite to promote a positive and encouraging environment for his students while he’s coaching.
With 8 years as head coach under his belt, Joe has brought the Orono Spartans back to the celebrated wrestling team they once were. Beginning with only 7 students, Joe has grown the team to a group of 30 and during his coaching career, has proudly taken 28 kids to state with 7 place winners and 3 Minnesota State Champions. His success in increasing participation revolves around promoting the sport throughout the school and upholding the balance of working hard while having fun.
Joe’s coaching philosophy is anchored in 5 key components:
- Promoting enthusiasm and positivity
- Recognizing the importance of commitment, organization and preparation
- Communicating effectively
- Driving competition through hard work and motivation
- Treating everyone – including opponents – with respect
Joe’s relentless drive has allowed the wrestling program to thrive while establishing a true sense of community. Despite his proven victories, Joe continually works to improve the program by engaging prospective students, setting clear goals for current students and keeping active with parents. When he’s not coaching, Joe enjoys hunting, fishing, golf and spending time with his wife and kids. Joe was recently named Head Football Coach for the Spartans and will use the same values-based coaching style to promote success on the football field.
Assistant Varsity Coach Jackson Striggow
Hometown: Medina, MN, High
School Alma Mater: Orono High School
College Alma Mater: University of Michigan
Family Members: Mom (Michelle), Dad (Jeff), Brothers (Bobby & Danny), Sister (Hannah).
Previous Wrestling Experience: Wrestler at University of Michigan.
Previous Coaching Experience: Worked at Michigan Wrestling Camps .
Most Memorable Wrestling Season – Why? My senior year of college because it was the most recent and I was unable to finish it due to COVID-19.
Most Memorable Coach Experience – Why? Working with my brothers at Michigan Wrestling Camps – I saw Dan go from getting beat up by a 125 pounder to working out with Adam Coon and Mason Parris in two short years!
Name a “Role Model” coach that you admire – Why? Sergei Beloglazov, he is arguably the greatest wrestler of all time but as a coach he does not favor the guys with the most accolades, instead the guys that show up every day and work hard are the ones that get his attention.
Hobbies: Hunting & Fishing
Favorite saying or quote: “I swear it upon Zeus an outstanding runner cannot be the equal of an average wrestler” -Socrates
Coach Pete Keding
Hometown: Maple Pain, High School
Alma Mater: Orono High School ‘04
College Alma Mater: Hennepin Tech ‘06
Family Members: Father (John), Mother (Patti), Brother (Andy), Niece/Nephew (Lucy, Ben, Nolan)
Previous Wrestling Experience: In 2003 Set the Record for Fastest Fall in the State of Minnesota at 145lbs, Captain of the 2004 Orono Wrestling Team
Previous Coaching Experience:
2005: Delano Varsity Assistant Coach
2012-2016: Robbinsdale Armstrong Varsity Assistant Coach
2019-Present: Orono Varsity Assistant Coach
Most Memorable Wrestling Season – Why?: Orono Wrestling 2001-2002 we went from being winless in dual meet competition to above .500 record. It’s the biggest turnaround in Orono Wrestling History. It means a lot to be a part of that team and have those great memories with my teammates.
Most Memorable Coach Experience – Why? Coaching against Totino-Grace in the dual meet to send us to State
Name a “Role Model” coach that you admire – Why? Former Orono Athletic Director and Orono Football Head Coach Steve Fedie, he is the only football coach that believed in me, as a young athlete all I needed was one coach to believe in me.
Hobbies: Hunting & Fishing
Favorite saying or quote: “Heroes get Remembered, but Legends Never Die” – The Sandlot
Coach Tex Ostvig
Hometown: Maple Plain, MN, High School
Alma Mater: Orono High School ‘84
College Alma Mater: University of Minnesota
Family Members: Wife (Donna) Children (Tessa ‘13, Ellie ‘16, Marcus ‘18, Lexi Orono Senior ‘21)
Previous Wrestling Experience: Orono MS/HS, University of Minnesota, Olympic Trials
Previous Coaching Experience: Minnehaha Academy (5 seasons), Centennial High School (6 seasons), Orono 1991-Present (Youth/HS)
Most Memorable Wrestling Season – Why? Watching Orono compete in the 2015 Section Championships when Orono was seeded #6 / Orono 2020 Section Champions and State Tournament Team
Most Memorable Coach Experience – Why? I was a guest Coach at the Olympic Training Center, coached the US Junior World Greco Team Vs Team Sweden and supporting the 1st Orono team to go to the State Tournament.
Name a “Role Model” coach that you admire – Why? Kelly Shaughnessy (My past Orono wrestling coach) As an athlete at Orono, he taught me to put the time and work needed to make my own success. Later I was privileged to be his Assistant coach for Orono for 10 years, where he taught me as a coach.
Hobbies: Collecting Sports Quotes, Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Spending time Up North
Favorite saying or quote: “If my future begins at my next thought, it might as well be positive and powerful”
