Rutt’s wrestling road leads to Iowa City

IOWA CITY — Travis Rutt's wrestling road has winded through Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Minnesota.

One of the stops he didn't foresee was Iowa, but he jumped at it when the opportunity was presented.

Rutt joined the University of Iowa wrestling staff as Strength and Conditioning Coach this summer, replacing Luke Lofthouse, who accepted an assistant coach post at Utah Valley University. Rutt was a three-time NCAA qualifier for the University of Wisconsin and Oklahoma University before coaching at Augsburg (Minn.) College and Minnesota Storm Wrestling Club.

'I never thought I'd work my way to Iowa City,' Rutt said in a phone interview. 'I never excluded it from my options.'

Rutt said it was funny how things worked out, but glad it has this way. He has made the adjustment to the Hawkeye program.

'It's been great,' Rutt said. 'I was welcomed early. It was a smooth transition. I loved it.'

Iowa Coach Tom Brands said he is happy with how Rutt has handled business so far. It is early and the impact will be determined as this season progresses.

'What will define his role is how he handles individual cases when you can't put everybody in the same template,' Brands said. 'He's done that well.'

Brands also noted that requirements have changed and Strength and Conditioning coaches have to be certified by a national organization. Not only is Rutt educated in exercise science, but being an accomplished wrestler he knows how to apply it to the athletes and help them reach peak performance.

'It's an important job,' said Brands, comparing him to former Iowa assistant Mark Johnson, who understood wrestlers' needs of durability and muscle shape. 'He's a partner in what we're doing and he is fully engaged.'

Rutt was an All-American for the Badgers, placing seventh at 184 pounds in 2011. He also wrestled 197 for the Sooners. He understands the key ability to develop power and maintain it through the season.

'The best way to get better is to wrestle,' Rutt said. 'Strength and conditioning is important supplemental work to that work with training.'

Rutt said wrestling is a different beast when it comes to conditioning. He said colleagues who work with others are amazed by the results in field tests, calling them almost impossible. Science always interested Rutt and it provided him a chance to continue his involvement in wrestling. Now, he is helping drive the Hawkeyes, who are coming off a share of the Big Ten Championships team title and runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships.

'I knew this was an avenue or a good route to go,' Rutt said. 'I have different experiences at different levels.

'I've been through the sport and the academic side of strength and conditioning.'

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