Coach Brandon Lucero
Head Wrestling Coach
Lucero is a former Kadet and former Division 1 wrestler at the University of Northern Colorado where he competed under NCAA Champion and 4-time All-American Troy Nickerson. From UNC, Coach Lucero quickly transitioned into coaching and just finished his third season with the Air Academy Kadets in Colorado Springs Colorado. Lucero wrestled his club seasons under 2008 Olympian T.C. Dantzler where he gained an allegiance to the Freestyle and Greco side of the sport. Lucero currently serves as the current head coach of the 16U Colorado National Team. In 2022 the 16U Colorado National Team earned All-American status under Lucero which was the first time Colorado has had a 16U team earn that credential. Assisting at the youth, high school, and senior level of wrestling, Lucero stays involved with just about every wrestling opportunity available to better himself and those around him.
Going into the 2023-2024 season Coach Lucero is very optimistic as the majority of the Kadet Wrestling Team has been highly motivated through the offseason to better themselves and their teammates come season. “Having the buy in has been the biggest part, but one thing you will notice this season with Air Academy is that many members of the team are true students of the sport. There is a culture that had to be built and I believe this will be the first year that everyone gets to see that from us.” Coach Lucero has set a goal for his team of a top 10 placement at the state tournament in February which would be the highest placement of any Kadet wrestling team to date.
Coach Jason Mitchler
Assistant Coach
Coach Mitchler joins the Kadets for his sixth season as assistant coach and has been a major influence on our underclassmen. Mitchler has taken on the role of JV coach for the years of Lucero’s tenure and has done a great job in developing the young athletes and keeping them enthusiastic about the sport.
Mitchler is a Wisconsin native but grew up in Thornton, Colorado. He was a 2x state qualifier for Thornton High School and attended the University of Northern Colorado (BA, Kinesiology).
After graduating from college, he joined the U.S. Army and became a Special Forces Medic. He later attended the Army-Baylor Physical Therapy Program and is currently on active duty at Fort Carson, CO.
He has coached youth wrestling in Georgia, Virginia, and Colorado.
Coach Brad Vollmar
Assistant Coach
Coach Vollmar doubles as a football and wrestling coach for Air Academy. Originally, he began his coaching journey when his son came through the school and has continued to be a huge part of both programs. Vollmar knows the ins and outs of the season and makes things flow well during the three-month season. He is also a teacher at Air Academy where he is able to recruit many kids to wrestling from knowing them in class.
Coach Jason Hanenberg
Head Assistant Coach
Hanenberg is a former Air Academy Kadet and is one of five state champions in the program’s history. With the Kadets he placed at the state tournament all four years in his high school career under Coach Nate Hill. Following his years at Air Academy, Hanenberg wrestled at Western State University under Coach Charlie Pipher where he had an amazing career and started for the Mountaineers all four years of his tenure. Jason just recently finished up his four years of NCAA eligibility and ended on a spectacular note becoming an NCAA Division 2 National Finalist in the 2022-2023 season. Hanenberg is glad to be back and add value to a team that shows great growth and potential. Coach Lucero and Hanenberg were teammates in high school and continue to grow their relationship years later in the world of coaching.
Coach Matthew Barela
Assistant Coach
Coach Barela started in the 22-23 season with the Kadets and will take more of a leadership role on the JV side of the program. He has made some amazing connections with the athletes and looks forward to working with our wrestlers again this year. Barela brings an extensive judo background that can help diversify our wrestlers technique on their feet.
Coach Dave Pullin
Assistant Coach
Coach Pullin has been with the program since 2020 where he has been a significant help in the program’s success. Originally, Pullin started his coaching career at Rocky Mountain Wrestling Club where he coached youth wrestling along with his son through high school.
Coach Shawn Countryman
Assistant Coach
Coach Countryman joined the coaching staff in the 22-23 season when he and his sons moved into the district. Shawn has been a major influence on many of our wrestlers and has gone out of his way to better the team in the offseason. His support and dedication is something that goes a long way and will be a huge reason for our success in the future.
