Eric Juergens

2006 Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductee

A dictionary defines the word “dominate” as to exercise control over; govern, or to tower above; loom over. That same dictionary could very well include a photo of Eric Juergens of Maquoketa, Iowa, beside the definition. To describe Juergens as a “dominant” wrestler would be a considerable understatement.

Juergens’ remarkable wrestling journey began in third grade in Maquoketa, where his passion for the sport was ignited through a local four-week youth program. With the support of his parents, Jim and Deb, and the formation of the Little Cards Wrestling Club, Juergens quickly rose through the ranks. Although success did not come overnight, his tireless dedication and ability to set goals laid the groundwork for one of the most decorated prep careers in Iowa history.

At Maquoketa High School, Juergens went an unprecedented 144-0, capturing four consecutive Iowa Class 3A state championships from 1993 to 1996. He won titles at 103, 112, 119, and 125 pounds, and recorded an astounding 100 career pins. He was a Northern Plains Regional Champion, Cadet National Freestyle Runner-Up, and earned Amateur Wrestling News First Team All-American honors. In addition, he was a Second Team Asics Tiger All-American and an honor roll student. His dominance at the high school level earned him a spot in the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006, alongside other undefeated legends Dan Knight and Jeff McGinness.

Juergens’ success continued at the University of Iowa, where he cemented himself among the Hawkeye greats. He was a four-time NCAA All-American, placing third at nationals in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He then posted an incredible 61-1 record over his final two years, capturing back-to-back NCAA titles at 133 pounds in 2000 and 2001. His first national title came after an undefeated 31-0 season, capped with a win over Cody Sanderson of Iowa State. In 2001, he defeated Oklahoma State’s Johnny Thompson in a thrilling 10-7 final—inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena—what Juergens later called a “storybook ending.”

He also earned two Big Ten titles, was a Midlands Champion, and was honored with the Art Kraft “Champion of Champions” Award at the Midlands. He was twice named the University of Iowa’s Male Athlete of the Year, and was selected as the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year in 2001. He served as a team captain his senior year and was recognized as the team’s Most Valuable Performer. Juergens finished his collegiate career with a record of 109-13, including 65 wins in his final 66 matches, and a 28-match winning streak. He was the 16th four-time All-American in Iowa history at the time and was later inducted into the University of Iowa Hall of Fame.

After graduating in 2001 with a B.A. in English, Juergens began giving back to the sport through coaching. He served as a volunteer assistant at Loras College for two seasons before joining Augustana College as a volunteer assistant in 2006–07. He was named the school’s interim head coach for the 2007–08 season and officially became the full-time head coach on April 4, 2008. In 2008, Juergens also became the first “Terry and Sandy Shockley Head Wrestling Coach” at Augustana—marking the first endowed coaching position in the CCIW and one of the few in NCAA Division III athletics.

Over the course of more than a decade at the helm of Augustana’s wrestling program, Juergens led the Vikings to consistent success. In 2016–17, he guided the team to its highest NCAA finish in 22 years (17th place), and an 8-6 dual record. His leadership produced four NCAA All-Americans, including Adarios Jones (3rd at 285 lbs), Christos Giatras (7th at 184 lbs), Matt Burns (7th at 174 lbs in 2013), and Jordan Richardson (8th at 174 lbs in 2012). He also coached 13 CCIW individual champions, three CCIW Most Outstanding Wrestlers, and was named the CCIW Coach of the Year in 2013–14 after leading Augustana to its first conference title in a decade.

Juergens is also the co-founder of Young Guns Wrestling Club, established in 2002 with Hawkeye teammate Jody Strittmatter. The club has become one of the premier wrestling programs in the Midwest, producing countless high school state and national champions and earning national recognition. He also served as the camp director for the University of Iowa Wrestling Camps from 1998 to 2002.

Today, Eric Juergens resides in Coal Valley, Illinois, with his two sons, Braun and Bear. In addition to coaching, he works as the Midwest Territory Manager for a firearm importer based in Reno, Nevada. Juergens’ legacy as a wrestler and coach is not only defined by titles and accolades, but by the impact he has made on the sport and the countless athletes he has mentored

Eric Juergens was inducted into the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Jeff McGinness and Dan Knight.