A new era is beginning in the Algona boys wrestling program. Following the resignation of Nick Kuecker as the boys varsity head coach, the Algona school board announced Monday night that the position will be filled by Brian Morgan and Cody Alesch as co-head coaches going forward.
Morgan had previously served as Algona’s head coach before Kuecker took over starting in the 2014-15 season. Morgan served as an assistant coach on the staff that was awarded class 2A coaching staff of the year last season.
Alesch had been the head wrestling coach at Graettinger High School for seven years, before spending nine seasons as the head coach for Iowa Lakes Community College. Following his time at Iowa Lakes, Alesch coached two years for the Algona junior high program before serving as a volunteer assistant for the high school program this past season.
Alesch praised the structure in place with the program, mentioning the role Morgan played in developing it.
Algona won the class 2A state duel team title this past season and qualified eleven wrestlers for the individual state tournament. Alesch wants the team to carry the same type of culture forward.
Although Algona graduated key members of their regular lineup such as Jack Limbaugh, Tate Slagle, Isaac Wilson, Ashton Moreno, and Elijah Wilhite, Alesch sees talented individuals who have patiently waited for their turn still on the Bulldog roster.
Morgan and Alesch are focused on Algona continuing to be a program that develops champions on and off the mat.
A familiar refrain from Kuecker during the Algona state championship run was telling his athletes to “surrender the outcomes.” Moving forward, Algona wrestlers are likely to hear the same phrase repeated by Morgan and Alesch.
