Wilkes Names Laudenslager To Head Wrestling Program

Former Colonel wrestler to assume head coaching position

Wilkes University Director of Athletics Addy Malatesta has announced that Jon Laudenslager has been named head wrestling coach. Laudenslager takes over for Alan Zellner, who resigned in April to assume the Director of Diversity position at Wilkes.


Laudenslager takes over after serving for three seasons as an assistant coach with the Colonels. He is a former standout wrestler at Wilkes, earning four varsity letters from 1994 to 1998.


"I am excited to take over the program at Wilkes," stated Laudenslager. "I feel that I have learned a great deal during the past three seasons as an assistant coach under Alan Zellner, and a true understanding of what it takes to continue the long-standing tradition of excellence associated with Wilkes wrestling. I welcome the challenges that this opportunity presents, and I am looking forward to my first season as a head coach.”"


"Jon brings a level of energy and enthusiasm, and has a great respect for the tradition that is Wilkes wrestling," commented Malatesta. "I feel that his appointment as head coach affords us the opportunity to make a smooth transition, and provides our student-athletes a style of leadership that they have come to know over the past three seasons."


Laudenslager broke onto the season as a rookie with the Colonels during the 1994-95 season. During the campaign he helped Wilkes post a 14-10-1 record while still competing at the Division I level. Individually, he fashioned an overall record of 24-7 while wrestling at 126 and 134 pounds. Laudenslager also finished fifth at the EIWA Championships, earning EIWA Rookie of the Year honors, and helped the Colonels to a 10th place finish. He also ended the season with a team-best nine wins by fall.


As a junior Jon ended the season with an overall 17-10 record and six wins by fall, while continuing to wrestle at 134 pounds. He also earned a second-place finish at the West Point Open, while claiming the team's Shawn Galbreath Academic Coaches Award.


Laudenslager wrestled mainly at 158 pounds during his senior season and finished with an overall record of 11-5. For his efforts he was named the winner of the Timmy Adams Most Courageous Performer Award.


Laudenslager, who had a 117-15-1 record at Pocono Mountain High School, graduated from Wilkes with a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a masters degree in Business Administration at Wilkes.