Mark Kist is entering his eighth year as a volunteer assistant coach with the Wartburg wrestling program in 2020-21, working primarily with the lightweights. After graduating from Wartburg in 2011, he spent two years as the co-head coach at Waverly-Shell Rock High School before joining the Knights and head coach Eric Keller for the 2013-2014 season. Kist has been a part of six of the program’s 14 NCAA Division III national championships as either an athlete or coach.
Kist earned his health and physical education degree from Wartburg in 2011 after transferring from Iowa State University prior to the 2008-09 season. He was a two-time All-American for the Knights, earning third place honors in 2009 and 2011. Kist was also a three-time Iowa Conference runner-up and two-time academic All-American. During his time as an athlete, Wartburg won national titles in 2009 and 2011 and a national duals championship in 2011. Kist was also a three-time Iowa state champion and junior freestyle national champion, compiling a career record of 151-8 for Eagle Grove High School.
Mark is a transportation insurance advisor for Peoples Insurance Agency. He and his wife, Terrin, and son, McCoy, reside in Waverly.
