December 9, 2021
LISTEN: Ryan Birt, Head Wrestling Coach at Millikin University, & Bradan Birt, Senior wrestler, discussed the program’s success and what sets Millikin’s wrestling program apart from other athletic programs.
Coach Ryan Birt took over the Millikin wrestling program in 2015, after the program had been dormant since 2008.
Since taking over, Birt and his staff have elevated the Big Blue wrestling program to being one of the best programs in Division III Athletics. The program won back to back College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championships in 2020 and 2021. During the 2020-2021 season, the team had four individual Champions. Nine of the wrestlers earned All-Conference honors.
This season, the Big Blue are 9-0, and 4-0 in conference play. The team is currently ranked 18th in the nation by National Wrestling Coaches Association.
While every person in the program plays a role on this team, there are some wrestlers who have made a name for themselves, this season.
Senior Bradan Birt is one of those impact wrestlers. Birt is ranked 1st in the Nation in DIII at 165 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He has a record of 13-0 this season, and all but one of his wins were by fall or tech fall. Birt was recently named CCIW Wrestler of the Week.
Some other wrestlers who have certainly stuck out this season, are Seniors Jordan Carson (9-3) and DJ Millet (11-2), and Juniors Peter McCusker (12-1), Brayan Reyes (13-0), and Tommy Russell (12-1).
The team celebrated their Senior Day on Sunday, December 5th, and defeated Augustana by a 32-8 margin.
The Big Blue will face off against Wheaton College on Friday, December 10 for a CCIW dual. They will head to Hershey, PA for the Chocolate Duals the weekend of Saturday, December 18.
Below is the full interview with Ryan Birt, Head Wrestling Coach at Millikin University & Bradan Birt, Senior wrestler.
