"I think Ryan is going to be a great addition to our staff," said McFarland. "He's young, he's enthusiastic, and he's great in the wrestling room -- not just from a competitor standpoint but also for his knowledge of the sport. I'm excited about what he's going to be able to bring to the team. He's been through the program and he's familiar with our system, so it's going to be an easy transition. Instead of worrying about his own training and travel, he's going to be able to concentrate on coaching now, working out with the guys and teaching them the same things that made him so successful. It's going to be a nice change for him, and it's going to be great for our program."
As a Wolverine wrestler (2003-06), Churella was a three-time NCAA All-American and Big Ten Conference champion at 149 and 165 pounds, just the eighth Wolverine in program history to accomplish such a task. In his final season at Michigan, Churella posted a near-perfect 29-1 record and advanced to the 165-pound final at the NCAA Championships. His 117-18 career record places him sixth in the U-M record book for career winning percentage (.867) and 17th in career wins. He also ranks ninth among the all-time pin leaders with 35 career falls.
After graduating from Michigan, Churella completed a successful three-year run in the 74 kg/163-pound freestyle division, earning consecutive top-four finishes at the U.S. Senior Nationals (2008,'09) and posting similar performances at the 2008 Olympic Trials (fourth) and 2009 World Team Trials (third). Churella also captured gold medals at the 2007 Henri Deglane Challenge and 2008 Canada Open.
Originally from Northville, Mich., Churella was a Senior High School National champion (2001) and a two-time state champion at Novi High school. Churella earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan in 2006. He currently lives in Ann Arbor.
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