Plamen Paskalev enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Minot State University wrestling program.
He has one of the most decorated careers of any Division II coach or wrestler, competing in two Olympic Games and also winning an NCAA Division II National Championship.
Paskalev placed fourth at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 16th at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He also placed five other times at the World Championships finishing seventh in 1999; 11th in 1994, 1995, and 1998; and 12th in 1997.
After a successful international career, he brought his talents to the United States where he first met coach Ersland at the University of Central Missouri.
Paskalev was a three-time All-American at UCM under the direction of coach Ersland. He placed fourth at 285 pounds in 2003 and third at 197 pounds in 2005 before capping his collegiate career off with an undefeated National Championship season at 197 pounds in 2006. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Corporate Fitness at UCM.
He also started his coaching career at UCM from 2007-2008, worked at The Citadel from 2009-2010 and worked at the Ohio State Olympic training center.
Paskalev lives in Minot, N.D.
