University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Justin Karkula enters his Ninth year with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling coaching staff during the 2024-25 season.

Karkula helped the Blugolds place fifth at the NCAA Championships and win their first-ever Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team championship in 2023-24. He was part of a coaching staff which produced a national champion, four All-Americans and six national qualifiers. The Blugolds achieved their highest ever ranking in the National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings that season.

Karkula was a part of the 2021-22 record setting season where the Blugolds finished the season with titles at the Messiah Invitational, 8 Man Battles and Pete Willson Invitational. In addition to a runner-up finish in the WIAC and Upper Midwest Regionals, the Blugolds had 11 Scholar All-Americans and 5 NCAA qualifiers. Karkula was a part of the Upper Midwest Regional Coaching Staff of the Year for his efforts. He was also the Joe Merten Coaching award winner in October of 2022. Karkula's role within the coaching staff is technique development with the HWT wrestlers, local area recruiting and home event management.

Karkula wrestled for the Blugolds from 2014-2017. He won 92 matches in his four-year career and qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2015 at Heavyweight. He also was a University Greco All-American during his college career.

Karkula graduated from Oshkosh West High School and excelled in all three styles of wrestling during that time. He was a Freestyle All-American in Fargo with World Champions J'Den Cox and Kyle Snyder in his pool. 

Karkula graduated from UW-Eau Claire and works as a science teacher in the Augusta School District.  He resides in Eau Claire with his wife, Katherine.