MSU Moorhead Athletics

Kris Nelson is entering his 17th season as the Minnesota State University Moorhead head wresting coach in 2025-26

The 2024-25 season saw the Dragons surge in dual competition, winning eight duals, including three NSIC victories. By season's end, MSUM had 11 wrestlers with 10 or more victories. The Dragons also had a pair of regional runners-up in senior Ryan Henningson (133 pounds) and Pedro Velazquez (141 pounds). Both wrestlers would qualify for the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. as well. 

As the Dragon head coach, Nelson has coached one NCAA finalist, six All-Americans, 20 NCAA qualifiers and numerous NSIC and NWCA All-Academic selections. 

In 2020-21, Cole Jones qualified for his second NCAA national tournament at 125 pounds. Jones finished second at the Super Region V meet to advance.

In 2019-20, Braydon Ortloff was a national qualifier at 165 pounds after finished second at the Super Region V meet. 

NCAA national qualifiers included sophomore Cole Jones (125) and Jordan Magnuson (285) in 2018-19.  Jones picked up All-American honors by placing seventh at the national meet.

In 2017-18 Zach Scott was a national qualifier at 141 pounds after finishing fourth at the Super Region V meet.

Senior Blake Bosch was the national runner-up at 133 pounds in 2017-18 to cap off a brilliant Dragon career. Bosch was also the Super Region 3 Wrestler of the Year and the NSIC Wrestler of the Year as well. Kristian Vazquez placed fifth at the regional and narrowly missed on a trip to nationals.  Bosch finished with 115, second-most in school history behind Dragon Hall of Famer Travis Hendrickson.

Bosch placed third at nationals in 2016-17 and picked up All-American honors.

Highlighted by an All-American performance by sophomore Blake Bosch, MSUM had a solid 2014-15 season. The Dragons finished 8-5 in duals, including 4-4 in a difficult NSIC schedule. MSUM competed at the Grapple at the Garden at historic Madison Square Garden in New York City, earning a win over Division I LIU-Post in Dec. 2014. Bosch finished eighth at 133 pounds at the Division II National Championships to cap off a season where he finished 27-12.

In 2013-14, MSUM sent two more wrestlers to the nationals -- senior Conner Monk and freshman Blake Bosch. The Dragons went 7-9, highlighted by a 24-16 road win over Minnesota State. Senior Matt Lewellen and Bosch both surpassed 20 wins on the season.

In 2012-13, MSUM finished with a solid 8-8 mark in duals, including 3-5 in conference matches. Junior Angel Vega qualified for the national meet at 141 pounds.

During the 2011-12 season, senior Corey Ulmer and junior Jacob Bennett were national qualifiers. Ulmer was ranked No. 1 for much of the season at 125 pounds and was also the Super Regional 3 champion.

In his second season in 2010-11, Nelson improved the Dragons record to 8-8, raising his overall record to 13-18. The season ended with four straight wins, highlighted by a 25-17 win over then No. 10 Upper Iowa in the season finale. Nelson coached his second All-American as Ulmer finished seventh at the national championships.

In his first season as Head Coach, Nelson guided the Dragons to a 5-10 mark and finished with five national qualifiers, the third most in the NSIC. Nelson coached one of those qualifiers (Derek Bomstad) to an All-American selection.

Prior to becoming the MSUM head coach, Nelson spent the previous nine seasons as an assistant wrestling coach at North Dakota State, his alma mater. He was a member of the Bison staff for two seasons as a student assistant coach from 2000-2002 before continuing as a graduate assistant for two years from 2002-2004. While at NDSU he coached 25 All-Americans and seven NCAA champions and helped NDSU win the NCAA national team championship in 2001.

As a student-athlete, Nelson was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American and two-time North Central Conference champion for NDSU and was inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. He won the NCAA II 133-pound national championship in 2000 and also was named the NCAA II Outstanding Wrestler. Nelson won the NCC Tournament twice and helped NDSU to the NCC team title in 1998.

A native of Lisbon, ND, Nelson was a two-time North Dakota State High Champion for the Broncos and logged a career record of 128-19.

Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education/Health from North Dakota State in 2001 and a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Athletic Administration in 2006.

Nelson and his wife Jennifer live in Fargo, N.D.