Ben Kawczynski

After a successful career at UW-La Crosse, Ben joined the AWA coaching staff in Summer of 2025

High School Highlights

  • High School Record: 118-30
  • 3x Wisconsin State Qualifier
  • Wisconsin State Champion
  • 2021 Fargo FS Champion

Collegiate Accomplishments

  • 3x NCAA DIII Qualifier
  • 2x NCAA DIII All-American
  • 2x U20 World Team Trials Qualifier
  • 2x U20 Freestyle All-American

Coaching Philosophy and Mindset

“My philosophy is built around creating a family atmosphere, just like I experienced at La Crosse. I believe kids work better together, pushing each other to reach their goals and growing as a team.

I’m a big fan of Dan Gable and his quote: ‘Once you’ve wrestled, everything else is easy.’ Wrestling teaches perseverance, resilience, hard work, and how to win and lose. These lessons translate directly into life, making challenges easier to overcome.”

Education & Certifications

“I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and am both a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach.

This background shapes my coaching by giving me a deeper understanding of how the body works—what muscles need to be activated in wrestling and how to build strength, speed, and explosiveness. In camps like Hulk Power (lifting camps), I design programs that directly correlate to improved mat performance.”