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First coach sees sport rise in state

Neil Erisman understood the increasing popularity of wrestling in Arkansas even while he was coaching on the East Coast.

"Wrestling is rising in the state," Erisman said. "I just saw the opportunity. This is a great place and a great community. I'm excited to be a part of it."

Erisman, a former assistant coach at North Carolina, will lead the state's first NCAA Division I program in fall 2019 as the first head coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Erisman was hired in June to become the Trojans' first wrestling coach. On Tuesday, he was officially introduced to local media and supporters at a news conference at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, where the wrestling team will compete.