MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat College men's wrestling program announced the addition of a full-time assistant coach this month, bolstering its staff ahead of the upcoming 2025-26 season. Jake Power assumes his new role as he and head coach Jim Connaghan get ready for a busy five-month-long men's wrestling campaign.
 
"We're thrilled to welcome Jake Power to our coaching staff," said head coach Jim Connaghan. "His knowledge, energy and dedication to developing Christ-centered student-athletes makes him a perfect fit for our program. I'm looking forward to seeing the impact he'll have on our team, both on and off the mat."
 
A native of Lugoff, S.C., Power comes to Montreat with plenty of familiarity regarding the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and the Carolinas. From 2019-2025, Power served as a coach and administrator with Valhalla SOT, a wrestling club based in Columbia, S.C. During his six years with the organization, Power coached five South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) State Champions, as well as more than 25 SCHSL State Placers.
 
Prior to his coaching career, Power wrestled for a pair of current AAC institutions. From 2016-18, Power competed at 141 and 157 for the Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers. Then, in 2018-19, Power wrestled for the Truett McConnell University Bears in the 149-lb weight class.
 
Academically, Power picked up an associate degree from SMC in 2018 before earning his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management from the University of South Carolina in 2021.
 
"I am grateful to God and beyond thankful for this opportunity to help guide these young men, both as student-athletes and followers of Christ," Power shared. "This is a great group of men, and there's nowhere I'd rather be than Montreat."
 
Power currently resides in Asheville, N.C.
 
The Montreat College men's wrestling team officially begins its season on Saturday, Nov. 1 with the Pepsi Patriot Open in Corbin, Ky.