Cornell College announced Tuesday that former University of Iowa wrestler and Wilton state champion Chad Beatty will join the Rams’ wrestling staff as an assistant to head coach Mike Duroe.

Beatty, a two-time national qualifier for three Big Ten and NCAA champion Hawkeyes team, has been an assistant the last two years at Iowa City West High School.

Chad Beatty

“Obviously, Chad is a proven coach and has been involved with a highly successful scholastic program at Iowa City West,” Duroe said in a news release. “We’re real excited to have him in our program. He has a very good sense for wrestling talent and is real passionate about the sport. That passion will serve him well at this level.”

Beatty, who graduated from Iowa in 2010 with a degree in 3D design, was a two-time Big Ten placewinner, finishing fourth in 2009. He qualified for the NCAA tournament in 2010, returning from a lisfranc fracture in his foot to compete in the Big Ten tournament. He was 50-25 at Iowa.

Beatty was a two-time state champion in high school, winning Class 1A titles at 171 pounds. He was 109-7 as a prep, recording 45 pins. Beatty was a 2006 FILA Junior national champion.

“Chad’s experience as a competitive athlete will be invaluable in our program,” said Duroe, who owns a 90-60-2 dual mark in seven seasons with the Rams.  “Our athletes will take full advantage of him on staff.”

The Rams were 11-4 last year, climbing as high as fifth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III coaches team rankings. Cornell tied for 38th after having five qualifiers, but has placed in the top 20 five of the last six seasons.