Former University of Iowa NCAA champion and two-time World team member, Tony Ramos announced on social media that he has accepted a volunteer assistant coaching position at the University of North Carolina.
The move out east will pair Ramos, who made the USA Freestyle World team at 57 kilograms in both 2014 and 2015, with Tarheel head coach Coleman Scott. Scott is the last lightweight wrestler to medal at either the World or Olympic level, taking bronze at the 2012 London Games. In addition to serving as a North Carolina coach, Ramos will also wrestle as a part of the Tarheel Wrestling Club.
Excited to start the new journey with @UNCWrestling #HeelStrong pic.twitter.com/81dMyopC9t
— Tony Ramos 🐏 (@T_Ram133) April 27, 2016
Ramos also added these comments to us.
“I chose North Carolina because I am excited about what’s going on down there. I think it will be unique to have both Iowa and Oklahoma State philosophy in one room. It will help grow myself as an athlete and coach but also all the student athletes we encounter will have different mindsets and approaches.
Coleman will be done training and will move on to training me now as I compete for the Tarheel Wrestling Club. It will be awesome for me to have someone who is the total opposite to help excel my craft.
I am very excited to get in the coaching role and help kids achieve the same life long goals and dreams that I had. I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity the coaching staff and Coleman Scott has given me.”
Ramos was a four year starter at 133-pounds for the Hawkeyes during his college career, winning the NCAA title in 2014. That same year Ramos burst on to the Men’s U.S. freestyle scene when won the World Team Trials, making his first World Team at 57 kg. A year later Ramos would repeat as World Team member at 57 kg, sweeping his American competition at both the U.S. Open and the World Team Trials. Earlier this month Ramos made his third national team when he took second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
During that time Ramos was a member of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, the Regional Training Center based out of Iowa City, Iowa and led by University of Iowa coaches Tom and Terry Brands.
Ramos will now join Braden Atwood and Josh Kindig as members of the Tarheel Wrestling Club.