Coaching Staff

Jim Zeigler — Athletic Director and Wrestling Coach

Jim Zeigler is currently in his 16th season as the Trapper Wrestling Coach. A 1990 graduate of the University of Southern Colorado, Zeigler was a three time All-American Wrestler.

Jim served three years as an assistant coach at the University of Northern Colorado while completing his Master's Degree in Athletic Administration.

During his tenure as head coach at Northwest, his teams have won the 2004 NJCAA National Championship, won the 2002 All-Academic Title, won five Regional Championships and finished in the top ten nationally for 14 consecutive seasons. He has produced 67 individual All-Americans and 8 National Champions.

Jim has been voted NJCAA West Central Zone Coach of the Year three times and was voted the 2004 NJCAA National Coach of the Year. He currently serves as the Vice-President of the NJCAA Coaches Association, and the Chairman of the Committee for Qualifying Districts. 

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Cort Petersen — Assistant Wrestling Coach

Coach Cort Petersen is a native of Gillette, Wyoming, and was a two-time Wyoming State Champion while wrestling for the Wright High School Bobcats.  Following a distinguished high school career, Cort signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Northwest College in 2002.  He wrestled two seasons for the Trappers and was a member of the 2004 National Championship Team.

Following graduation from NWC, Cort transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned NCAA All-American Honors two times by placing 7th in the nation as a junior and 6th as a senior.  The Broncos also won the NCAA Division II Championship during his senior campaign. Cort graduated from UCO with a degree in Recreational Management.

During the 2007-08 wrestling season, Cort returned to Wyoming to serve as a volunteer coach at the University of Wyoming while his fiancée Brittany earned a degree.  Cort and his wife Brittany were married on Memorial Day weekend this past spring, and are both employed by Northwest College.

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