Pikeville, KY – Director of Athletics Kelly Wells announced the hiring of Travis Mallo to lead UPIKE's brand-new men's wrestling team. Mallo will take the reins as the program's first head coach in its inaugural 2022-23 season.

The decision was made after an extensive nationwide search in which Mallo stood out as the perfect fit to build the program.

"The addition of a wrestling program is a big step for our department and I am thrilled we've found a coach who carries the leadership ability and outlook we envisioned for this position," said Wells.

A Mason City, Iowa native, Mallo brings to UPIKE an impressive background as an athlete, student, and leader. Currently, Mallo is transitioning from his post as graduate assistant men's wrestling coach at Waldorf University, an NAIA program in Iowa, where he has coached since the fall of 2020. Prior to Waldorf, Mallo's foray into coaching was Green Bay Preble High School in Wisconsin where he was an assistant for two seasons.

In his hometown of Mason City, Mallo also founded and currently coaches the Scrap Iron Wrestling Club where he serves as a mentor for youth wrestlers. The club is open to all male and female wrestlers grades 5-12 and provides guidance for junior and senior club members in the recruiting process.

Athletically, Mallo's resume is impressive and includes several national accolades at the high school and collegiate level. In high school, Mallo placed three times in the Iowa High School State Championships, his highest finish being third overall in 2011. His career saw him collect a pair of All-American Distinctions from FloNationals (2010, 2011), and was Pan-American Cadet Champion in 2010.

Following an illustrious high school career, Mallo headed to West Point, NY to begin preparatory school at the prestigious United States Military Academy. After spending a year of training as an athlete and student, Mallo became a member of the varsity team at West Point and competed for two seasons in NCAA Division I.

After a shoulder injury, Mallo moved on to Iowa State University to finish his degree. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2017. Mallo is continuing his education at Waldorf where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership – Sport Management.

"I could not be more excited to join the UPIKE family and build the wrestling program," said Mallo, "I am honored to be the first head coach of the program and am ready to get to work."

Mallo and his girlfriend, Morgan, will be moving to Pikeville in the coming weeks with a start date set for late February.