Coach Thivierge enters his 5^th season having coached 12 NAIA All-Americans, 2 National Champions and an Academic All-American. In the 2011-12 season, Thivierge led the Lights to a 10-5 dual meet record, 3^rd place at the West NAIA National Qualifier and a 7^th place finish at the NAIA National championships. The Lights brought home 4 All-Americans in Anthony Weerheim placing 4^th, Ethan Hinebauch placing 6^th, Max Payne placing 8^th and Evan Hinebauch placing 3rd. Evan became only the fifth 4-time All-American in Northern’s storied history. The Lights will be returning 13 athletes from previous years and also have three returning All-Americans in Ethan Hinebauch, Max Payne and Cameron Neiss (2011).

Coach Thivierge has added 14 talented wrestlers to this year’s roster, including Chinook’s Jorrell Jones (197), Havre’s Eli Hinebauch (157), Helena’s Tucker Erickson (285) and Madras, OR star Travis Williams (285). Others include transfers Aaron La Farge (125), Chris Williams (125) and many others. The Lights are looking tough in 2012-13 and are excited to get underway!

Before coming back to MSU-Northern, Thivierge spent some years moving around the country from Tennessee, Washington and Nevada. In Tennessee, Thivierge served as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga before moving to Clarkston, WA where he assisted his high school coach for two seasons. In 2006 Coach Thivierge got his first crack at a Head Coaching position at Carson High School, in Carson City, NV. Thivierge served as Head Coach for two seasons before he was hired at his alma mater MSU-Northern.

Coach Thivierge was one of many talented student-athletes under then coach David Ray. He was the 2^nd ever 4-time NAIA All-American (1^st, 3^rd, 2^nd, 3^rd) for MSU-Northern, with his career being capped off in 2002 with an NAIA National Championship of his own at 184lbs, as well as being named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 2002 NAIA National Championships. During his senior season, he placed 4^th in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Open and 2^nd at the prestigious Midlands Championships. Coach Thivierge was part of two National Championship teams in 1999 and 2000 and graduated from MSU-Northern in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education.

Coach Thivierge is the proud father of Northerns two biggest fans Orion and Marlee Thivierge. His loving wife of 8 years, Stephanie, is also a 2003 Northern graduate and is the Branch Manager at US Bank.

This is Coach Dustyn Azure’s 1^st year assisting the Lights. For the past six years Coach Azure has been teaching and coaching at Ronan High School in Ronan, MT. He has spent two years as the assistant coach and 4 years as head coach.

Coach Azure was also a student athlete under Coach David Ray. Coach Azure was a two time NAIA All-American placing 4^th in 2000, and 6^th in 2005. Coach Azure graduated MSU-Northern with a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education.

Coach Azure is supported by his loving wife Jennifer Azure and the proud Father of three girls Kierstyn, Sydnee, and Mackenzee Azure.

Austin Ouellette
 Assistant Coach
1st year

Austin is returning to Northern to serve as an assistant coach for his second year. Austin competed at three National Championships and is also a 2009 NAIA All-American (7^th) under Coach Thivierge. Austin will play a big role in developing the middle weight classes this season.

Anthony joins the Northern Coaching staff after becoming an All-American in 2012 placing 4^th for the Lights at 141. He competed at the NJCAA National Championships 2x’s and also the NAIA National Championships twice. Anthony was a NJCAA All-American in 2010 and an NAIA All-American in 2012. He will bring a fresh look to our young wrestlers and will be responsible for the development of our lighter weights. Coach Weerheim is currently engaged to Brittany Eifert and wedding plans are currently in the works.