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A CULTURE OF SUCCESS
West Virginia continues to contend as one of the top wrestling programs in the country During its long history, 209 Mountaineers have qualified for the NCAA Championships West Virginia has also had 26 wrestlers claim 38 All-America honors and five individual national championships. Mountaineers have captured 90 individual conference championships in three conferences, including six titles in the Big 12 since West Virginia joined the conference in 2012
NCAA CHAMPIONS
SCOTT COLLINS
ClearFielD, Pa. • 1991 • 142 PounDs
Ranked No. 1 in the nation all season, Scott Collins became WVU’s first national champion in 1991 after posting a stellar 40-1 record in his final year as a Mountaineer. Collins went undefeated in Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) action and set WVU’s then all-time consecutive win streak (23) as a senior, including five straight at the NCAA Tournament.
“He started as a true freshman and competed very successfully Every year, he was someone who was capable of placing at the national tournament and competing to be in the finals. It never happened for him It really drew upon him to have some strength of character to not lower his goals and continue to have that dream of wanting to be a national champion ” – Coach Craig Turnbull
DEAN MORRISON
aMitYVille, n.Y. • 1994 • 177 PounDs
Dean Morrison entered the 1994 NCAA Championships on a seven-match win streak and finished the tournament with five straight wins to claim a national title at 177 pounds –WVU’s second-ever title in program history Morrison, ranked No 2 nationally, defeated three ranked opponents to make the championship match He defeated Wyoming’s Reese Andy, 3-2, in the finals and finished the season by winning 22-of-23 matches.
“Dean being an engineering major and an NCAA champion were equally as unlikely, so it was a testament really to his ability to set goals that were outside of his reach when no one believed they were possible and make them a reality ” – Coach Craig Turnbull
GREG JONES
sliCKVille, Pa. • tHree-tiMe CHaMPion
2002 • 174 PounDs
It will long be remembered as one of the greatest accomplishments in West Virginia history Greg Jones became just the 10th freshman since 1970 to win a national championship
2004 • 184 PounDs
Jones turned in one of the finest individual seasons by a WVU wrestler in school history, going a perfect 26-0. He also became the first Mountaineer to win multiple national titles with his 184-pound championship in St Louis
2005 • 184 PounDs
Greg Jones capped off one of the greatest collegiate wrestling careers in NCAA history by becoming just the 39th wrestler to win three national championships. He also became the first wrestler from the EWL to ever win the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler award
mountaineer all-americans
BIG 12 CONFERENCE
The Big 12 Conference is widely recognized as one of the top conferences in collegiate wrestling The conference comprises 14 schools, including Air Force, Arizona State, California Baptist, Iowa State, Missouri, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, South Dakota State, Utah Valley, West Virginia and Wyoming West Virginia regularly competes at the top of the conference, winning six individual titles since joining the Big 12 The Mountaineers recently placed sixth at consecutive conference championships for the first time in program history.
MATCH DAY IN MORGANTOWN
There’s something different about match day in Morgantown during the WVU wrestling season
Thousands of Mountaineer fans flock to Hope Coliseum to watch West Virginia wrestling battle opponents During the 2024-25 season, West Virginia had three top 10 crowds in program history Over 2,200 fans attended the latest edition of the Backyard Brawl as WVU faced No 18 Pitt, and over 2,000 fans were in the Coliseum to honor seniors on Senior Day against Arizona State
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Student-athletes who decide to become Mountaineers represent themselves, West Virginia University and the state of West Virginia Being a Mountaineer provides a student-athlete the unique experience to represent the millions of people who make West Virginia a special place
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
The strength and conditioning staff is dedicated to ensuring each student-athlete is taken care of and that their specific needs are met regularly The Athletics Performance Center at Hope Coliseum Sports Complex equips student-athletes, coaches and staff with a world-class training facility while alleviating scheduling concerns by allowing multiple teams to use the center at the same time This enables the programs to compete and balance the playing field with conference and national opponents In addition to the weight, rehabilitation and training rooms, the facility features extensive cardio and plyometric areas, hydrotherapy and cryotherapy sections
STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
West Virginia University offers a variety of services and programs to help student-athletes maximize their academic potential Department staff members work with coaches, on-campus student service providers and faculty to help student-athletes meet the unique demands of the classroom and their sport
West Virginia wrestling set a program record with eight National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar AllAmericans for the 2024-25 season Five Mountaineers were also honored on the 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
HOPE COLISEUM
For over 50 years, Hope Coliseum has served as home to West Virginia University athletics Throughout that time, the Coliseum has remained one of the greatest collegiate athletic venues in the United States Whether it is during the day with the sun shining down on the massive structure, or at night when its golden lights make it an evening showcase, the Coliseum stands as one of the most striking facilities on the WVU campus and played a major role in the expansion of West Virginia's growing Evansdale Campus West Virginia wrestling, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics regularly compete inside the coliseum
WRESTLING PAVILION
The WVU Wrestling Pavilion provides the West Virginia University wrestling program with four mats, coaching offices, an aerobic room, a study center with computers and an athletes' lounge.
Besides the practice area, the crown jewel of the complex is the players' lounge Built in the shape of a wrestling mat, the lounge features a big screen television for watching film, and plenty of room for relaxing between classes
To top off the project, WVU was home to the United States Olympic Team wrestlers training for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, a feat made possible by USA Wrestling and the Sunkist Kids
Funding for the project was made possible by a benevolent gift from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Trust, helping the dream complex become a reality
CHARACTER
Public, land-grant institution, founded in 1867 Across the three campuses of the WVU System in Morgantown, Keyser, and Beckley, WVU is changing lives and helping to create a brighter future Our purpose remains to bring education, healthcare, and prosperity to our state WVU is one of only a few flagship, R1, land-grant, community-engaged universities in the nation.
RESEARCH CLASSIFICATION
R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Possible category, as described by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
ACCREDITATION
WVU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Many programs hold specialized accreditation GOVERNANCE
The WVU Board of Governors is the University’s governing body The Higher Education Policy Commission in West Virginia is responsible for developing, establishing and overseeing the implementation of a public policy agenda for the state’s four-year colleges and universities Michael Benson is WVU’s 27th president
CAMPUS LOCATIONS AND FACILITIES
The WVU System is a family of distinctive campuses united by a single mission. From the groundbreaking research of our flagship in Morgantown to the student-centered focus of WVU Potomac State College in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Institute of Technology in Beckley, we are creating a better future for West Virginia and the world
The WVU Institute of Technology offers 30+ majors, including undergraduate engineering programs that have consistently ranked among the top in the nation according to U S News & World Report
WVU Potomac State College offers 60+ majors and combines the personal attention of a small college with the affordable benefits of a major university.
The WVU System also includes Health Sciences locations in Charleston and Martinsburg; School of Nursing campuses in Morgantown, Charleston, Keyser, Bridgeport and Beckley; farms and forests throughout the state; and WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp
The WVU Morgantown campus is in a town that was named the “No 1 Small City in America” by BizJournals com for its exceptional quality of life Morgantown was also rated the ninth best college town in America by Business Insider
STUDENT PROFILE
Fall 2024 WVU System enrollment was 25,000+
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
WVU recipients of prestigious scholarships include 25 Rhodes Scholars, 142 Gilman Scholars, 82 Fulbright Scholars, 53 Goldwater Scholars, 44 Critical Language Scholars, 30 Boren Scholars, 27 Truman Scholars, 6 Morris K Udall Scholars, 5 USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team Members (and 11 academic team honorees), 3 Department of Homeland Security Scholars, 4 George C Marshall (British) Scholars, 39 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, one Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar and one Schwarzman Scholar
R1 RESEARCH INSTITUTION HIGHLIGHTS
WVU is one of only 187 colleges and universities to attain a ranking of R1, or the highest possible research category, alongside such institutions as Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Johns Hopkins
WVU researchers are exploring the frontier in neuroscience research at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, doing groundbreaking work on Alzheimer’s disease and addiction treatment using focused ultrasound to safely open the blood-brain barrier (reported by “60 Minutes,” the New York Times, New England Journal of Medicine, the Washington Post and more)
WVU researchers are exploring the farthest reaches of the universe: dozens helped uncover evidence of ripples in space-time mWVU is one of two or three universities that serve as a major hub for all branches of science contributing to NANOGrav – a galaxy-sized detector that is beginning to detect the gravitational universe
Maura McLaughlin, Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, an internationally renowned WVU astrophysicist was selected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors in the scientific world.
Duncan Lorimer, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, was selected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of London ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Twelve Morgantown colleges and schools offer 302 majors in agriculture and natural resources; applied and human sciences; arts and sciences; business and economics; creative arts and media; dentistry; engineering and mineral resources; law; medicine; nursing; pharmacy; and public health Hundreds of distance education and online classes are available
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Students can choose from more than 450 student organizations or participate in an active intramural program and a variety of club sports
SERVICE AND LEARNING
The Center for Service and Learning develops and organizes service learning and volunteer opportunities for students and faculty WVU is one of only 75 schools recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for Community Engagement (recognized since 2010)
PARENTS CLUB
The Mountaineer Parents Club, with 20,000+ members, connects parents and families with the student experience
ALUMNI
Chartered in 1873, the WVU Alumni Association is made up of more than 210,000+ graduates worldwide (in 135 nations)
LIBRARIES
The WVU Libraries encompass seven libraries statewide Facilities in Morgantown include the Downtown Campus Library, Evansdale Library, Health Sciences Library, Law Library and the West Virginia and Regional History Center Onsite collections include more than 936,000 books, 1 5+ million e-books and 700+ databases
PRIVATE SUPPORT
The WVU Foundation recorded $282.6 million in gifts and pledges in fiscal year 2024 As of June 30, 2024, total Foundation assets stood at $304 billion, including long-term investments for the benefit of WVU and assets managed by the Foundation for other WVU-affiliated organizations.
EXTENSION
Throughout the year in West Virginia’s 55 counties, WVU Extension funds and delivers West Virginia’s 4-H program, which reaches more than 68,000 youth each year through county and state camps, special interest clubs, in-school activities and other programs
ADMISSION AND APPLICATION TIMELINE
It’s painless to apply — no required essays or recommendations, students are automatically considered for scholarships and can be admitted with or without ACT or SAT scores Test scores may be required for certain majors or scholarships Apply directly to WVU or use the Common Application WVU offers a rolling admission (there is no official application deadline). Applications are processed beginning in late August for admission the following fall March 1 is the deadline for West Virginia residents to submit Promise Scholarship applications Visit admissions wvu edu to learn more, including how to submit official transcripts and test scores. Graduate admission (for degree-seeking applicants) requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2 75 on a 4 0 scale for regular admission In addition, an applicant must meet the minimum admissions criteria determined by their program of interest
VISITORS CENTER
The WVU Visitors Center is the front door to campus, providing the warm hospitality that Mountaineers are known for in a modern, welcoming space Tours led by current students are offered Monday through Friday and select Saturdays Details are available at visit wvu edu
HEAD COACH TIM FLYNN
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY is proud to have one of the most successful coaches in college wrestling leading the Mountaineer wrestling program, as coach Tim Flynn, owner of 274 career victories over 29 seasons in coaching, enters his eighth season at the helm after being named the ninth head coach in April 2018. Under his guidance, West Virginia has seen 29 Mountaineers qualify for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and seven earn All-America status. WVU has also enjoyed great success off the mat, earning 74 Academic All-Big 12 and 24 NWCA Scholar All-America honors.
The 2024-25 season was arguably one of the best for Flynn since taking over the Mountaineer program.
West Virginia finished 10-7 overall, marking the third consecutive double-digit win season. This is the first time WVU has accomplished this feat since 1985-88.
West Virginia also tied for 18th at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, marking the program’s second consecutive top-20 finish at the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2004-05. A sixth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships tied the program’s best placement at the conference championships. Fifth-year Peyton Hall had one of the best individual seasons in program history, becoming the winningest Mountaineer with 135 career wins. Hall capped his stellar season with his first career Big 12 title and a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Hall’s finish at the NCAA Championships earned him his third career All-America honor, as he is just one of three Mountaineers to accomplish that feat.
Senior Jett Strickenberger won a Big 12 title at 125 pounds as he paired with Hall to become the first Mountaineers to win titles at the same Big 12 Championships in program history.
Overall, six Mountaineers earned a spot on the podium at the conference championship and five Mountaineers qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Off the mat, West Virginia set a program record with eight wrestlers earning Scholar All-American status from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA). WVU was named a Scholar All-America Team by the NWCA for the first time since 2021. Five Mountaineers also earned a spot on the 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team.
Redshirt sophomore Ian Bush was the lone Mountaineer to earn a spot on the College Sports Communicators 2024-25 Academic All-District Team.
Flynn’s squad continued rewriting the record books during its 2024 campaign, eclipsing the double-digit win mark for the 18th time in program history and first in back-to-back seasons since 1990 and 1991. The Mountaineers were featured in the NWCA rankings throughout the season, opening the year at No. 24 and reaching as high as No. 17 to end the month of January before concluding the regular season ranked for the first time since 2005 (No. 19).
The Mountaineers’ success carried into the postseason, as the squad scored a 97.5 team total at the Big 12 Championship for their highest point total since joining the Big 12 while matching the program’s best finish at the postseason spectacle since the conference expanded from four schools to 10 in 2016 (6th – 65.5 team points). Flynn’s group wrapped up the postseason with a 17th-place finish after scoring 31.5 team points at the NCAA Championships - turning in the highest finish for the program since 2004 (16th –31.0)
WVU experienced great individual success as well. The squad saw five Mountaineers earn a spot to compete on the national stage, which marked the fifth consecutive year in which four or more grapplers qualified for the NCAA Championships since the Flynn era began in 2019.
Senior Peyton Hall (165) and true freshman Ty Watters (149) led the way by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach All-America status in the same season since 2005. Hall secured the second All-America honor of his
college career to become the ninth WVU grappler to earn the recognition multiple times, while Watters joined elite company as the third-ever true freshman in program history to claim All-America status and first Mountaineer to take home the honor at 149 pounds. Additionally, the true freshman became the first grappler in school history to win a Big 12 Championship and earn a top-8 finish on the mat at nationals, as well as the 13th wrestler in program history to win a conference title and reach All-America status in the same season.
In 2023, West Virginia hit the double-digit win mark for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2014. The team also made its first appearance in the NWCA Top 25 since January 2016, ranking as high as No. 23 after capturing a pair of wins over Ohio and No. 21 Pitt. Stellar individual performances in those duals saw eight Mountaineers break into the national rankings for the first time since 2003, with six earning a spot to compete on the national stage for the first time since 2012. Fifth-year senior Killian Cardinale (125) capped off the season by capturing his second All-America honor with an eighth-place finish at nationals and extending the program’s streak to four straight seasons with at least one All-American. Cardinale joined Mark Banks, Whitey Chlebove, Mike Mason, Greg Jones, Vertus Jones, Brandon Rader and Zeke Moisey as the eighth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American multiple times sporting the Gold and Blue.
In 2022, West Virginia claimed four NCAA qualifiers for the second straight season, in addition to its third Big 12 Champion and third All-American in as many years. The team also eclipsed its record for most wrestlers on the Academic All-Big 12 team with nine, including a record-breaking seven on the first team.
The Mountaineers scored 62 points to place seventh in the Big 12 Championship, while landing seven wrestlers on the podium to match a program-best set by the 2015-16 squad.
Redshirt senior Killian Cardinale (125) and sophomore Peyton Hall (165) became the first Mountaineer duo to reach the Big 12 finals in their respective weight classes since Zeke Moisey (125) and Jake Smith (197) in 2018. Top-seeded Cardinale recorded an 8-3 decision over 2021 Big 12 Champion and third-seeded Brody Teske (Northern Iowa) to become just the third Mountaineer to reach the top of the Big 12 Conference since West Virginia joined the conference in 2012. Success continued as Cardinale and Hall reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit. Both finished in the top 12, while Hall secured his spot on the podium as an All-American after scoring an 11-3 major decision over No. 19-seed Justin McCoy of Virginia. The Chester, West Virginia, became the sixth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American as a representative of their home state and the first since Noah Adams in 2020. In addition, Hall became the first WVU grappler to take home the All-American honor at 165 pounds since the weight classes realigned in 1999. In 2021, Flynn guided the Mountaineers to a 7-3 record for their first winning season since 2014 and a 31st-place finish at the NCAA
Championships to close out the abbreviated campaign. He coached Cardinale to All-American status at 125 pounds, as the Old Dominion transfer became the second All-American during Flynn’s tenure, with Noah Adams earning the honor at 197 pounds in 2020. The Bristow, Virginia, native was also the first to earn the honor at 125 pounds since Zeke Moisey in 2018.
WVU placed 10th at the 2020 Big 12 Championship before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noah Adams capped off his undefeated 32-0 season by earning the 197-pound title at the Big 12 Conference Tournament. Adams, a two-time NCAA qualifier, was the nation’s second-seeded wrestler heading into the NCAA Tournament.
The 197-pound grappler earned All-America First Team and Scholar All-American honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), becoming WVU’s first All-American since 2018. For his performance, the Coal City, West Virginia, native received the 2020 Hardman award, an honor given by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association to West Virginia’s top amateur athlete. Adams was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the prestigious Southern Scuffle after going
5-0 and winning the 197-pound bracket. He also became the first wrestler in program history to be named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year and the second to be picked as a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, college wrestling’s equivalent to football’s Heisman Trophy.
In his first season at the helm, Flynn led the program to a four-win dual season in the 2018-19 season, highlighted by a 19-17 victory over No. 20 North Dakota State at the South Beach Duals on Dec. 30, 2018. The squad finished with five wrestlers on the podium and a ninth overall finish at the 2019 Big 12 Championships, allowing West Virginia to send five grapplers to nationals for the first time since 2014.
WVU also produced five podium finishers at the conference tournament and sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. Four Mountaineers earned automatic bids, while one grappler received an at-large selection to punch his ticket. Adams was one of the five wrestlers to make an appearance, competing on the national stage for the first time in his career.
Flynn came to West Virginia from Edinboro, where he spent 21 years building the Fighting Scots into a wrestling powerhouse. He compiled a 223-95-5 career record to become the school’s all-time winningest coach and a member of its Hall of Fame.
His accomplishments at Edinboro totaled 150 national qualifiers, 38 All-Americans, 64 Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) champions and 97 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions. He led the Fighting Scots to five top-10 finishes at the NCAA Tournament, 14 top-20 finishes and 18 top-25 finishes.
Flynn engineered two of the best seasons in Edinboro wrestling history, with his 201415 squad placing third at nationals – the program’s highest-ever finish – and earning four All-America honors. His 2013-14 squad went 11-3 and won 10 of their last 11 duals on their way to a fifth-place finish at the national tournament, led by three wrestlers earning All-American honors at season’s end. He received NWCA NCAA Division I Coach of the Year honors, shared InterMat Coach of the Year honors with Minnesota’s J Robinson and was selected as WIN’s Dan Gable Coach of the Year.
He was the EWL Coach of the Year seven times and the PSAC Coach of the Year 13
times. Flynn also coached three national champions (John Koscheck at 174 in 2001, Gregor Gillespie at 149 in 2007 and Jarrod King at 165 in 2009) and eight NCAA runners-up.
Under the former Penn State All-American, Edinboro dominated eastern wrestling circles, winning the EWL Championships 15 times, including eight straight from 2003-10, along with 16 PSAC tournament titles in his 21 campaigns. At one point, Edinboro won 34 of 35 EWL dual matches, which included a 29-match winning streak.
Before taking over the head coaching duties, Flynn was an assistant at Edinboro under legendary coach and Olympian Bruce Baumgartner from 1992-97. Flynn assisted Baumgartner to a 56-21 record, including a 14-0 dual-match mark and a sixth-place finish at the 1996 NCAA Tournament.
Following three standout seasons at Vista High in Vista, California, Flynn moved east to finish his prep career at Annapolis Senior High in Annapolis, Maryland. He went on to enjoy a stellar career at Penn State, captaining the 1986-87 squad, while earning All-America honors at 134 pounds. He went 30-10-1 as a senior, winning the EWL title and finishing seventh at nationals. The Nittany Lions enjoyed one of their greatest seasons ever with an 18-1-1 record and a third-place finish at the NCAA Tournament.
Flynn finished with a 105-32-2 collegiate record, still ranking among the all-time career leaders in victories at Penn State. He also won the EWL 126-pound title as a junior in 1986, finishing with a 30-7-1 mark, and qualified for nationals as a sophomore after finishing second at the EWL Championships. He was a four-time Midlands Championships place winner, a two-time Mat-Town USA champion and was an Espoir National freestyle runner-up in 1984.
For all his efforts as a coach and wrestler in the Keystone State, Flynn was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association (PWCA) Hall of Fame on Oct. 7, 2021. Flynn, who is currently a member of the NWCA Leadership Group, graduated from Penn State in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in business management. He later earned his master's degree in business administration from Penn State with a concentration in finance in 1990. He and his wife, Tanya, have two children - Logan and Riley.
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH CLIFF MOORE
CLIFF MOORE, AN NCAA champion at 141 pounds for Iowa, is in his eighth season at West Virginia University after being named assistant head coach on April 17, 2018. His responsibilities include managing the day-to-day operations of the West Virginia wrestling program, assisting with the organization of the team’s travel, and coordinating community outreach work and fundraising opportunities.
During the 2025 season, two Mountaineers won Big 12 titles, five qualified for the NCAA Championships, and one became an NCAA All-American.
The Mountaineers continued rewriting the record books during their 2024 campaign, eclipsing the double-digit win mark for the 18th time in program history and first in back-to-back seasons since 1990 and 1991. They were featured in the NWCA rankings throughout the season, opening the year at No. 24 and reaching as high as No. 17 to end the month of January before concluding the regular season ranked for the first time since 2005 (No. 19).
WVU's success carried into the postseason, as the squad scored a 97.5 team total at the Big 12 Championship for their highest point total since joining the Big 12 while matching the program’s best finish at the postseason spectacle since the conference expanded from four schools to 10 in 2016 (6th – 65.5 team points). The group wrapped up the postseason with a 17th-place finish after scoring 31.5 team points at the NCAA Championships - turning in the highest finish for the program since 2004 (16th – 31.0)
West Virginia experienced great individual success as well. The squad saw five Mountaineers earn a spot to compete on the national stage, which marked the fifth consecutive year in which four or more grapplers qualified for the NCAA Championships during Moore's tenure with the program. Senior Peyton Hall (165) and true freshman Ty Watters (149) led the way by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach All-America status in the same season since 2005.
Hall secured the second All-America honor of his college career to become the ninth WVU grappler to earn the recognition multiple times, while Watters joined elite company as the third-ever true freshman in program history to claim All-America status and first Mountaineer to take home the honor at 149 pounds. Additionally, the true freshman became the first grappler in school history to win a Big 12 Championship and earn a top-8 finish on the mat at nationals, as well as the 13th wrestler in program history to win a conference title and reach All-America status in the same season.
In 2023, West Virginia hit the double-digit win mark for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2014. The team also made its first appearance in the NWCA Top 25 since January 2016, ranking as high as No. 23 after capturing a pair of wins over Ohio and No. 21 Pitt. Stellar individual performances in those duals saw eight Mountaineers break into the national rankings for the first time since 2003, with six earning a spot to compete on the national stage for the first time since 2012.
Fifth-year senior Killian Cardinale (125) capped off the season by capturing his second All-America honor with an eighth-place finish at nationals and extending the program’s streak to four straight seasons with at least one All-American. Cardinale joined Mark Banks, Whitey Chlebove, Mike Mason, Greg Jones, Vertus Jones, Brandon Rader and Zeke Moisey as the eighth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American multiple times sporting the Gold and Blue.
In 2022, West Virginia claimed four NCAA qualifiers for the second straight season, in addition to its third Big 12 Champion and third All-American in as many years. The team also eclipsed its record for most wrestlers on the Academic All-Big 12 team with nine, including a record-breaking seven on the first team.
The Mountaineers scored 62 points to place seventh in the final Big 12 Championship standings, while landing seven wrestlers on
the podium to match a program-best set by the 2015-16 squad.
Redshirt senior Killian Cardinale (125) and sophomore Peyton Hall (165) led off the postseason run by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach the Big 12 finals of their respective weight classes since the combination of Zeke Moisey (125) and Jake Smith (197) made the finals in 2018. Top-seeded Cardinale recoded an 8-3 decision over 2021 Big 12 Champion and third-seeded Brody Teske (Northern Iowa) to join former WVU standouts Dylan Cottrell (2017) and Noah Adams (2020) as the only other Mountaineers to reach the top of the Big 12 since West Virginia moved to the conference in 2012, and becomes the second to do it during Moore’s time in Morgantown.
Success continued as Cardinale and Hall reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit. Both finished in the top 12, while Hall secured his spot on the podium as an All-American after scoring an 11-3 major decision over No.19-seed Justin McCoy of Virginia. The Chester, West Virginia, native joined Jimmie Cox, Mike Mason, Sam Kline, Brandon Rader, and Noah Adams as the sixth WVU wrestler from the state of West Virginia to be named an All-American. In addition, Hall is the first WVU grappler to take home the honor at 165 pounds; Mark Banks reached the feat twice at 167 pounds back in 1990 and 1991.
In 2021, Moore helped guide the Mountaineers to a 7-3 record for their first winning season since 2014 and a 31st place finish at the NCAA Championships to close out the abbreviated campaign. He went on to witness Cardinale earn All-America status at 125 pounds. Cardinale is the second All-American in coach Moore’s four years with the Mountaineers and the first since Mountaineer standout Noah Adams earned the honor at 197 pounds in 2020. The Bristow, Virginia, native was also the first to earn the honor at 125 pounds since Zeke Moisey in 2018.
Moore also serves as an integral part of the recruiting process and assisted in bringing in the No. 12-ranked recruiting class via FloWrestling for the upcoming 2020-21 season. WVU placed 10th at the 2020 Big 12 Wrestling Championship before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noah Adams’ performances highlighted the 2019-20 season, as he won the 197-pound title at the conference tournament to cap an undefeated season at 32-0. Adams, a two-time NCAA Qualifier, was the nation’s second-seeded wrestler heading into the NCAA Tournament.
The 197-pound grappler finished his redshirt sophomore campaign with several postseason accolades, most notably earning National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-America First Team honors, as well as becoming the program’s first Big 12 Wrestler of the Year award winner.
In Moore’s first season in Morgantown, he helped five Mountaineers qualify for the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, marking the first time since 2014 that five grapplers earned themselves a spot at nationals.
As a team, West Virginia earned four dual-match wins and placed ninth at the 2019 Big 12 Championship.
Moore previously spent 12 seasons at Edinboro, helping coach Tim Flynn build the Fighting Scots into a wrestling powerhouse. His specialty is with the lighter weight classes, as he helped produce two NCAA champions, seven NCAA finalists and 21 All-Americans for the Fighting Scots. In addition, Edinboro has won seven Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) Championships and 10 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles with Moore on staff.
Prior to Edinboro, Moore spent two years with the Iowa wrestling program. After serving as the strength and conditioning coach during the 2004-05 season, he became an
administrative assistant in his second year at his alma mater.
As a Hawkeye, Moore earned All-America status three times in addition to claiming two Big Ten titles. After competing at 133 pounds for three consecutive seasons, Moore moved up to 141 his senior year. He posted a 33-2 record after defeating Matt Murray of Nebraska in a 5-2 decision at the 2004 NCAA Tournament, ending his final season with 20 straight wins and a national title. The Dubuque, Iowa, native notched a 109-24 career record and was named the 2004 Mike Howard Award winner, an honor given to Iowa’s most valuable wrestler.
After redshirting his freshman year, Moore notched a 17-3 record at 133 pounds. He then took over as the starter during the 2001-02 season, eventually earning All-America honors with a sixth-place finish at nationals. Moore ended the year with a 28-10 record, also placing fifth at the 2002 Big Ten Championships.
He gained another sixth-place finish at the 2003 NCAA Championships, earning backto-back All-America honors at 133 pounds. Moore ended his junior season with a 31-9 record, capturing his first Big Ten title with a 3-1 win over Minnesota’s Ryan Lewis in sudden victory. He was named the 2003 John and Dorothy Sill Award winner, an honor given to Iowa’s most dedicated wrestler.
Additionally, Moore has been inducted into a trio of Hall of Fames: the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame, Iowa High School Wrestling Hall of Fame, and Hempstead High School Hall of Fame.
Moore, a member of the 2006 USA Freestyle National Team, graduated from Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2004. He later received his master’s in educational leadership from Edinboro in 2011. Moore has two sons, Carver and Maddox.
ASSISTANT COACH MITCHELL PORT
TWO-TIME NCAA FINALIST Mitchell Port is in his eighth season at West Virginia University and was announced as an assistant coach in April 2018.
During the 2025 season, two Mountaineers won Big 12 titles, five qualified for the NCAA Championships, and one became an NCAA All-American.
The Mountaineers continued rewriting the record books during their 2024 campaign, eclipsing the double-digit win mark for the 18th time in program history and first in back-to-back seasons since 1990 and 1991. They were featured in the NWCA rankings throughout the season, opening the year at No. 24 and reaching as high as No. 17 to end the month of January before concluding the regular season ranked for the first time since 2005 (No. 19).
WVU's success carried into the postseason, as the squad scored a 97.5 team total at the Big 12 Championship for their highest point total since joining the Big 12 while matching
the program’s best finish at the postseason spectacle since the conference expanded from four schools to 10 in 2016 (6th – 65.5 team points). The group wrapped up the postseason with a 17th-place finish after scoring 31.5 team points at the NCAA Championshipsturning in the highest finish for the program since 2004 (16th – 31.0)
West Virginia experienced great individual success as well. The squad saw five Mountaineers earn a spot to compete on the national stage, which marked the fifth consecutive year in which four or more grapplers qualified for the NCAA Championships during Port’s tenure with the program.
Senior Peyton Hall (165) and true freshman Ty Watters (149) led the way by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach All-America status in the same season since 2005. Hall secured the second All-America honor of his college career to become the ninth WVU grappler to earn the recognition multiple times, while Watters joined elite company as the
third-ever true freshman in program history to claim All-America status and first Mountaineer to take home the honor at 149 pounds. Additionally, the true freshman became the first grappler in school history to win a Big 12 Championship and earn a top-8 finish on the mat at nationals, as well as the 13th wrestler in program history to win a conference title and reach All-America status in the same season.
In 2023, West Virginia hit the double-digit win mark for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2014. The team also made its first appearance in the NWCA Top 25 since January 2016, ranking as high as No. 23 after capturing a pair of wins over Ohio and No. 21 Pitt. Stellar individual performances in those duals saw eight Mountaineers break into the national rankings for the first time since 2003, with six earning a spot to compete on the national stage for the first time since 2012.
Fifth-year senior Killian Cardinale (125) capped off the season by capturing his second
All-America honor with an eighth-place finish at nationals and extending the program’s streak to four straight seasons with at least one All-American. Cardinale joined Mark Banks, Whitey Chlebove, Mike Mason, Greg Jones, Vertus Jones, Brandon Rader and Zeke Moisey as the eighth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American multiple times sporting the Gold and Blue.
In 2022, West Virginia claimed four NCAA qualifiers for the second straight season, in addition to its third Big 12 Champion and third All-American in as many years. The team also eclipsed its record for most wrestlers on the Academic All-Big 12 team with nine, including a record-breaking seven on the first team.
The Mountaineers scored 62 points to place seventh in the final Big 12 Championship standings, while landing seven wrestlers on the podium to match a program-best set by the 2015-16 squad.
Redshirt senior Killian Cardinale (125) and sophomore Peyton Hall (165) led off the postseason run by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach the Big 12 finals of their respective weight classes since the combination of Zeke Moisey (125) and Jake Smith (197) made the finals in 2018. Top-seeded Cardinale recoded an 8-3 decision over 2021 Big 12 Champion and third-seeded Brody Teske (Northern Iowa) to join former WVU standouts Dylan Cottrell (2017) and Noah Adams (2020) as the only other Mountaineers to reach the top of the Big 12 since West Virginia moved to the conference in 2012 and becomes the second to do it during Ports time in Morgantown.
Success continued as Cardinale, and Hall reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit. Both finished in the top 12, while Hall secured his spot on the podium as an All-American after scoring an 11-3 major decision over No.19-seed Justin McCoy of Virginia. The Chester, West Virginia, native joined Jimmie Cox, Mike Mason, Sam Kline, Brandon Rader, and Noah Adams as the sixth WVU wrestler from the state of West Virginia to be named an All-American. In addition, Hall is the first WVU grappler to take home the honor at 165 pounds; Mark Banks reached the feat twice at 167 pounds back in 1990 and 1991. In 2021, Port helped guide the Mountaineers to a 7-3 record for their first winning season since 2014 and a 31st place finish at
the NCAA Championships to close out the abbreviated campaign. He went on to witness Cardinale earn All-America status at 125 pounds. Cardinale is the second All-American in coach Port’s four years with the Mountaineers and the first since Mountaineer standout Noah Adams earned the honor at 197 pounds in 2020. The Bristow, Virginia, native was also the first to earn the honor at 125 pounds since Zeke Moisey in 2018.
WVU placed 10th at the 2020 Big 12 Wrestling Championship before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noah Adams’ performances highlighted the 2019-20 season, as he won the 197-pound title at the conference tournament to cap an undefeated season at 32-0. Adams, a two-time NCAA Qualifier, was the nation’s second-seeded wrestler heading into the NCAA Tournament.
The 197-pound grappler finished his redshirt sophomore campaign with several postseason accolades, most notably earning National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-America First Team honors, as well as becoming the program’s first Big 12 Wrestler of the Year award winner.
In Port’s first season in Morgantown, he helped five Mountaineers qualify for the 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, marking the first time since 2014 that five grapplers earned themselves a spot at nationals.
As a team, West Virginia earned four dual-match wins and placed ninth at the 2019 Big 12 Wrestling Championship.
Port previously served as an assistant at Edinboro and played an integral part in the Fighting Scots’ success over three seasons, assisting with the production of 12 Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) champions, 14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) champions, 19 NCAA Qualifiers and one NCAA All-American. Port also helped the team to back-to-back PSAC Championships (2016-17), as well as a first-place finish at the 2017 EWL Championships.
A three-time All-American for Edinboro, Port concluded his wrestling career with a 132-17 record at 141 pounds, finishing as an NCAA finalist as a sophomore and senior and taking home third place as a junior.
Port’s runner-up finish in 2015 helped Tim Flynn’s Fighting Scots to their highest-ever finish
at nationals, placing third, with a record-tying four wrestlers earning All-America honors. Port’s senior leadership also garnered him WrestlingReport.com’s Pennsylvania Collegiate Wrestler of the Year accolades.
The Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, native became a three-time All-American after reaching the NCAA finals for the second time in three years. Seeded second at the 2015 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Port won his first four matches, including a 9-4 decision over No. 7-seed Anthony Ashnault of Rutgers in the quarterfinals and a 14-2 major decision over No. 11-seed Chris Mecate of Old Dominion in the semifinals. Port then dropped an 11-5 decision to top-seeded, four-time national champion Logan Stieber of Ohio State in the finals.
Port capped his senior campaign with a 36-2 record, posting 13 falls, two tech falls and nine major decisions. He won his fourth straight PSAC title, along with a third EWL crown, and picked up his second Midlands Championships title.
After redshirting his freshman year, Port enjoyed an outstanding first season as the starter at 141 pounds (2011-12). He ended the year with a 30-10 record, reaching the round of 12 at the NCAA Championships. He also finished second at the EWL Championships and won his first PSAC crown.
Port's second trip to nationals resulted in a run to the title match after a 7-6 upset over top-seeded Hunter Stieber of Ohio State in the semifinals. However, Port suffered a 4-3 setback to No. 2-seed Kendric Maple of Oklahoma in the 141-pound championship match. He ended his redshirt sophomore season with a 34-4 record and was named the EWL and PSAC Wrestler of the Year. He also won his first EWL crown and second PSAC title.
In 2013-14, Port became a two-time All-American with a third-place finish at 141 pounds. He ended the year with a 32-1 record, notching 13 falls. He claimed his second EWL and third PSAC title, earning EWL Wrestler of the Year honors for the second time. He also won his first Midlands Championships crown.
Port graduated from Edinboro in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in individualized studies.
In addition, Port was inducted into the Bellefonte High School Wrestling Hall of Fame on Jan. 10, 2017. He is the winningest wrestler in Red Raider history with 156 career victories.
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT MUHAMED MCBRYDE
A NATIVE OF Buffalo, New York, Muhamed McBryde enters his fifth season as a volunteer assistant for the Mountaineers
McBryde won the United States U23 World Team Trials, earning the right to represent the U.S. at the U23 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in 2017. He made the most of the opportunity by earning a spot in the bronze medal bout, before ultimately finishing in fifth place.
He continues to compete domestically and internationally while coaching the Mountaineers.
During the 2025 season, two Mountaineers won Big 12 titles, five qualified for the NCAA Championships, and one became an NCAA All-American.
The Mountaineers continued rewriting the record books during their 2024 campaign, eclipsing the double-digit win mark for the 18th time in program history and first in back-to-back seasons since 1990 and 1991. They were featured in the NWCA rankings throughout the season, opening the year at No. 24 and reaching as high as No. 17 to end
the month of January before concluding the regular season ranked for the first time since 2005 (No. 19).
WVU's success carried into the postseason, as the squad scored a 97.5 team total at the Big 12 Championship for their highest point total since joining the Big 12 while matching the program’s best finish at the postseason spectacle since the conference expanded from four schools to 10 in 2016 (6th – 65.5 team points). Flynn’s group wrapped up the postseason with a 17th-place finish after scoring 31.5 team points at the NCAA Championships - turning in the highest finish for the program since 2004 (16th – 31.0)
West Virginia experienced great individual success as well. The squad saw five Mountaineers earn a spot to compete on the national stage, which marked the fifth consecutive year in which four or more grapplers qualified for the NCAA Championships during McBryde's tenure with the program.
Senior Peyton Hall (165) and true freshman Ty Watters (149) led the way by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach All-America
status in the same season since 2005. Hall secured the second All-America honor of his college career to become the ninth WVU grappler to earn the recognition multiple times, while Watters joined elite company as the third-ever true freshman in program history to claim All-America status and first Mountaineer to take home the honor at 149 pounds. Additionally, the true freshman became the first grappler in school history to win a Big 12 Championship and earn a top-8 finish on the mat at nationals, as well as the 13th wrestler in program history to win a conference title and reach All-America status in the same season.
In 2023, West Virginia hit the double-digit win mark for the 17th time in program history and the first time since 2014. The team also made its first appearance in the NWCA Top 25 since January 2016, ranking as high as No. 23 after capturing a pair of wins over Ohio and No. 21 Pitt. Stellar individual performances in those duals saw eight Mountaineers break into the national rankings for the first time since 2003, with six earning a spot to compete on the national stage for the first time since 2012.
Fifth-year senior Killian Cardinale (125) capped off the season by capturing his second All-America honor with an eighth-place finish at nationals and extending the program’s streak to four straight seasons with at least one All-American. Cardinale joined Mark Banks, Whitey Chlebove, Mike Mason, Greg Jones, Vertus Jones, Brandon Rader and Zeke Moisey as the eighth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American multiple times sporting the Gold and Blue.
As McBryde’s first season with the Mountaineers came to an end in 2022, West Virginia claimed four NCAA qualifiers for the second straight season, its third Big 12 Champion and third All-American in as many years for the third longest streak with at least one All-American in program history. The team also eclipsed its record for most wrestlers on the Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling teams with nine, including a record-breaking seven on the first team.
The Mountaineers scored 62 points to place seventh in the final Big 12 Championship standings, while landing seven wrestlers on
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the podium to match a program-best set by the 2015-16 squad.
Redshirt senior Killian Cardinale (125) and sophomore Peyton Hall (165) led off the postseason run by becoming the first Mountaineer duo to reach the Big 12 finals of their respective weight classes since the combination of Zeke Moisey (125) and Jake Smith (197) made the finals in 2018. Top-seeded Cardinale recoded an 8-3 decision over 2021 Big 12 Champion and third-seeded Brody Teske (Northern Iowa) to join former WVU standouts Dylan Cottrell (2017) and Noah Adams (2020) as the only other Mountaineers to reach the top of the Big 12 since West Virginia moved to the conference in 2012.
Success continued as Cardinale, and Hall reached the quarterfinals at the 2022 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Detroit. Both finished in the top 12, while Hall secured his spot on the podium as an All-American after scoring an 11-3 major decision over No.19-seed Justin McCoy of Virginia. The Chester, West Virginia, native joined Jimmie Cox, Mike Mason,
Sam Kline, Brandon Rader, and Noah Adams as the sixth WVU wrestler from the state of West Virginia to be named an All-American. In addition, Hall is the first WVU grappler to take home the honor at 165 pounds; Mark Banks reached the feat twice at 167 pounds back in 1990 and 1991.McBryde wrestled collegiately in his hometown at the University of Buffalo, where he was a two-year starter for the Bulls. Upon graduation, he joined the Buffalo coaching staff as the volunteer assistant and began training freestyle full-time.
The bronze medalist came to Morgantown from the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where he was the main training partner for two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist J'den Cox.
Prior to wrestling on the circuit, he wrestled collegiately as a two-year a starter at the University of Buffalo. Upon graduation, McBryde joined the Buffalo coaching staff as the volunteer assistant and began training freestyle full-time. He earned his bachelor's degree in 2016 and master’s degree in 2019.
Kyle Bratke Director of Operations
Zach eckert Assistant Athletics Director –Facilities and Operations
Tanner Kolb Associate Director –Strength & Conditioning
Jaren olson Assistant Director – Athletic Training
Kristina Martinez Assistant Director –Sports Nutrition
Sofía españa Pérez Clinical and Sport Behavioral Health Therapist
ryan Schmitt Assistant Director - Equipment Operations
Brodie Mcumar Graduate Assistant – Marketing
Charles Montgomery Assistant Director –Communications/Operations
ROSTER
NAME
Logan Alexander 133 r-Fr. White Plains, N.Y.
Gunner Andrick 133/141 Fr. Letart, W.Va.
Michael Baldwin 165/174 Fr. Saginaw, Mich.
HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Archbishop Stephanie HS
Point Pleasant HS
Saginaw United HS
Alexander Berisha 197 Fr. Mount Kisco, N.Y. Fox Lane HS
Ian Bush 184 r-Jr. Cameron, W.Va. Cameron HS
Joseph Chiappazzi 157/165 r-Jr. Poquoson, Va. Poquoson HS
Nick Cicciarelli 157 r-Jr. Brownsburg, Ind. Brownsburg HS
Brody Conley 174 r-Jr. Tiffin, Ohio Columbian HS
Leo Contino 157/165 Fr. Clovis, Calif. Buchanan HS
Matthew Dolan 125 Jr. Martinsburg, W.Va. Spring Mills HS
• Assisted the Bulldogs to an IHSWCA 3A dual state championship in 2019 and runner-up finish in 2022
Personal
• Son of Michael and Ann Cicciarelli
• Birthday is Dec. 3
• Has one brother Anthony, who wrestled at WVU
• Majoring in mechanical engineering
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Brody Conley
r-Jr. | 174 Tiffin, Ohio Columbian HS
2024-25 (r-So.)
• Competed at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (174)
• Finished 13-8 overall for the season, including 9-4 against Big 12 opponents
• Finished the regular season winning five consecutive matches
• Defeated Northern Iowa's No. 16 Jared Simma by decision, 8-5, on Feb. 2
• Nationally ranked in the top 30 throughout the season
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
2023-24 (r-Fr.)
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• NCAA Qualifier
• Fifth-place finisher at Big 12 Championship in his postseason debut
• Academic All-Big 12 First Team
• Posted a 24-9 record as the starter at 174 pounds, including 15 bonus-point victories
• Competed at the NCAA Division I Championships (March 21-23)
• Scored a 10-1 major decision over No. 11 Peyton Mocco of Missouri in the fifth-place match of the Big 12 Championship
• Picked up a 7-6 decision over No. 24 Jared Simma of Northern Iowa in the consolation round of the Big 12 Championship
• Secured a 7-1 decision over Quayin Short of Wyoming in the consolation round of the Big 12 Championship
• Registered a 13-3 major decision over Mahonri Rushton of Utah Valley in the opening round of the Big 12 Championship
• Shorty Hitchcock Classic Champion (Nov. 18)
• Pinned all four opponents on his way to the SHC title
• Fifth-place finisher at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships (Dec. 29-30)
• Recorded a 6-2 record, including two pins and a win over No. 8 Adam Kemp of Cal Poly, at the KKMC
• Competed in the team's first tournament at the Southeast Open (Nov. 4)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 174 pounds throughout the season by several public
• Earned the No. 8 seed in the 174-pound weight bracket at the Big 12 Championship
• Earned the No. 20 seed in the 174-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2022-23 (Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Team’s Rookie of the Year
• Redshirted and competed in five duals and three opens at 174 pounds
• Made debut at the team’s first tournament at the Southeast Open (Nov. 5)
• Southeast Open Freshman/ Sophomore Division Champion
• Third-place finisher at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships (Dec. 29-30)
• Captured three victories, including a 10-1 major decision and a fall in 1:32 during team’s sweep of Glenville State, Edinboro and Northern Colorado at the Mountaineer Quad (Nov. 20)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 174 pounds throughout the season by several publications
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the Tiffin Columbian Tornados
• Ranked as the No. 19 recruit by FloWrestling
• Closed out his career on a 119-match winning streak, including a 53-0 record as a senior
• Three-time Ohio state qualifier (2019, 2021, 2022)
• Two-time OHSAA Division II state champion (2021 & 2022)
• Placed fourth at the OHSAA state tournament (2019)
• Two-time NHSCA High School Nationals AllAmerican (champion in 2019 – fourth in 2021)
• Walsh Jesuit Ironman champion (2021)
• Played running back and linebacker for Tornados’ football program
• Two-time Division I All-Ohio third team defense (2020 & 2021)
Personal
• Son of Shaun and Jen Conley
• Birthday is May 18
• Has three sisters
• Majoring in coaching and performance science
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Matthew Dolan
Jr. | 125 Martinsburg, W.Va. Spring Mills HS
2024-25 (So.)
• Finished 11-9 overall, including nine wins against Division I opponents
2023-24 (Fr.)
• Finished 5-5 overall
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the Spring Mills Cardinals
• Posted a 157-10 record, with two undefeated seasons (2021 & 2022)
• Holds the school record for career pins with 105
• Rated No. 16 overall recruit - No. 3 at 215 pounds according to FloWrestling Personal
• Son of Gina and Joseph Lawrence
• Birthday is Dec. 8
• Has one old brother Thayne, who wrestles at Lehigh
• Majoring in general business
Wilson Spires
r-So. | HWT McKean, Pa. General McLane HS 2024-25 (r-Fr.)
• Finished 5-12 overall for the season
• Competed against Arizona State's No. 5 Colton Schultz on Feb. 23
• Competed against Northern Iowa's No. 15 Lance Runyon on Feb. 2
2023-24 (Fr.)
• Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
• Redshirted and competed in one open as a reserve at heavyweight
• Made his debut in the team's first event at the Southeast Open (Nov. 4)
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the General McLane Lancers
• Posted a 117-40 overall record, with 76 wins
• Two-time team captain
• Seventh-place finisher at the PIAA Class 2A State Championships (2023)
• PIAA District 10 Champion (2022)
• Two-time PIAA District 10 runnerup (2021 & 2023)
• PIAA Sectional Champion (2023)
• Two-time Pennsylvania state qualifier (2022 & 2023)
• Four-year letterwinner and starter for the Lancers football team in the offseason
• District 10 All-Region Second Team on the offensive and defensive lines (2021)
Personal
• Son of Jeff and Katie Spires
• Birthday is May 24
• Has two brothers and one sister
• Brother Jackson currently wrestles at Virginia Tech
• Majoring in physical education and kinesiology
Jett Strickenberger
Gr. | 125
Colorado Springs, Colo. Ponderosa HS NW Kansas Technical College
2024-25 (Sr.)
• Big 12 Champion at 125 pounds
• NCAA Qualifier at 125 pounds
• Advanced to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Championships
• Finished 19-8 overall for the season, including 10-3 against Big 12 opponents
• Defeated Iowa State's No. 14 Kysen Terukina by decision, 4-1, on Jan. 8
• Beat Pitt's No. 19 Nick Babin by major decision, 9-0, on Jan. 12
• Beat Oklahoma's No. 23 Antonio Lorenzo by major decision, 11-2, on Jan. 17
• Defeated Oklahoma State's No. 4 Troy Spratley by fall on Jan. 19
• Defeated Northern Iowa's No. 2 Trever Anderson by decision, 10-5 on Feb. 2
• Earned wins against five consecutive ranked opponents during the regular season
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 throughout the season
• Second place finisher at Southeast Open (125)
• Team’s Most Improved
• Big Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 23, 2025)
2023-24 (Jr.)
• NCAA Qualifier
• Third-place finisher in his postseason debut at the Big 12 Championship (March 9-10)
• Posted a 20-8 overall record as a starter at 125 pounds, including eight wins over ranked opponents
• Pinned No. 25 Kysen Terukina of Iowa State (4:58) in the third-place match of the Big 12 Championship
• Picked up a 12-9 decision over No. 14 Stevo Poulin of Northern Colorado in the consolation road of the Big 12 Championship
• Earned a 15-8 decision over No. 24 Trever Anderson of Northern Iowa in the consolation round of the Big 12 Championship
• Southeast Open Champion (Nov. 4)
• Earned a 4-1 overtime decision over No. 14 Brandon Kaylor of Oregon State in the finals of the SEO
• Pinned Kyle Montaperto of Virginia (3:50) in the semifinals of the SEO
• Competed at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships (Dec. 29-30)
• Third-place finisher at the MatTown Open II (Jan. 28)
• Delivered a 9-6 decision over No. 28 Trever Anderson of Northern Iowa (Feb. 4)
• Scored a pair of ranked wins over No. 27 Tucker Owens of Air Force and No. 6 Stevo Poulin of RV Northern Colorado in the team's road sweep (Dec. 8 & Dec. 10)
• Collected three bonus-point victories in the team's sweep of Kent State, Cleveland State and Duke (Nov. 12)
• Two-time Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Nov. 7 & Dec. 12)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 125 pounds throughout the season by several publications
• Earned the No. 7 seed in the 125-pound weight bracket at the Big 12 Championship
• Earned the No. 19 seed in the 125-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2022-23 (So.) at Northwest Kansas Technical College
• NJCAA National Champion at 125 pounds
• NJCAA All-American
• NJCAA Ernest B. Gould Most Outstanding Wrestler Award
• NJCAA Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat
• KJCCC All-Conference First Team
• Undefeated record
• Defeated four Division I wrestlers, including 133-pounder Garrett Ricks (Wyoming), who was the 2022 NJCAA National Wrestling Champion at 125 pounds
• Seventh Maverick to become national champion and second at his respective weight
• Assisted the Mavericks to a sixth-place finish at the NJCAA Championships 2021-22 (Fr.) at North Idaho
• NJCAA All-American
• Third-place finisher at the NJCAA Championships
• Assisted the Cardinals to a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA Championships
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the Ponderosa Mustangs
• CJSAA State Championship runner-up (2021)
• CJSAA State Championship thirdplace finisher (2019)
• Two-time Colorado state qualifier
• Double-Fargo All-American (2021)
• Fargo runner-up in Greco-Roman and fourth-place finisher in Freestyle
• USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals Champion (2020)
• Cadet Greco-Roman World Team Member (2019)
• Competed at the Cadet World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, going 1-1
Personal
• Pursuing an M.S. in executive sport management
Shawn Taylor
r-Fr. | 165/174 Coraopolis, Pa. West Allegheny HS
2024-25 (Fr.)
• Finished 13-5 overall, including 9-2 unattached
• Purple Raider Open champion
• Second place finisher at the Kent State Open
• Fifth place finisher at the Bobby Kauffman Open
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the West Allegheny Indians
• Closed out his career with a 108-16 overall record,
• PIAA Class 3A Runner-up (2023)
• Two-time Pennsylvania state qualifier (2022 & 2023)
• PIAA WPIAL Class 3A Southwest Regional Champion (2023)
• PIAA WPIAL Class 3A Southwest Regional Runner-up (2022)
• PIAA Class 3A Southern Sectional Champion (2022)
• PIAA Class 3A Southern Sectional Runner-up (2023)
• NHSCA National Champion (2022)
• Two-time Powerade placer (2022 & 2023)
• Mid-Winter Mayhem Champion (2023)
• Rated No. 79 overall in the class of 2024 - No. 12 at 165 pounds according to FloWrestling
Personal
• Son of Melanie and Timothy Taylor
• Birthday is Jan. 25
• Has six sisters and three brothers
• Majoring in physical education and kinesiology
Eric Thompson
Sr. | 174 Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee County HS
2024-25 (Jr.)
• Finished 3-10 overall for the season
Prep
• Two-year letterwinner for the Oconee County Warriors
• GHSA third-place finisher (2022)
• Two-time Georgia state qualifier (2021 & 2022)
• GHSA Class 3A Sectional A Runner-up (2022)
• GHSA Class 3A Area 8 Champion (2022)
• Two-time Georgia state 3A Area 8 finalist (2021 & 2022)
Personal
• Son of Reagan and Frank Thompson
• Birthday is Dec. 23
• Has one sister
• Majoring in exercise physiology
Jordan Titus
r-Sr. | 141
Center Moriches, N.Y. Center Moriches HS
2024-25 (r-Jr.)
• NCAA Qualifier at 141 pounds
• Placed sixth at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (141)
• Finished 12-18 overall for the season, including six wins against Big 12 opponents
• Defeated Arizona State's No. 32 Emilio Ysaguirre in sudden victory, 5-2, on Feb. 23
• Beat Pitt's Anthony Santaniello by decision, 3-1, on Jan. 12 2023-24 (r-So.)
• NCAA Qualifier
• Sixth-place finisher at the Big 12 Championship (March 9-10)
• Team's Most Improved Wrestler
• Team Captain
• Posted a 24-6 overall record as a starter at 141 pounds, including eight wins over ranked opponents
• Picked up a 5-3 decision over No. 26 Clay Carlson of South Dakota State in the consolation round of the NCAA Championships (March 21-23)
• Scored a 6-5 decision over No. 25 Clay Carlson of South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship
• Ken Kraft Midlands Champion (Dec. 29-30)
• Captured an 18-3 technical fall over No. 16 CJ Composto of Penn in the finals of the KKMC
• Southeast Open Champion (Nov. 4)
• Claimed back-to-back decisions over No. 30 Jack Gioffre of Virginia in the semifinals (114) and No. 26 Cleveland Belton of Oregon State in the finals (6-5) of the SEO
• Outlasted No. 21 Josh Edmond of Missouri in the tiebreaker (Jan. 26)
• Gained two conference victories in the team's road sweep over Air Force and RV Northern Colorado (Dec. 8 & Dec. 10)
• Collected three wins in the team's sweep of Kent State, Cleveland State and Duke (Nov. 12), including a 9-3 decision over No. 22 Dylan Layton of Cleveland State
• Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 2)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 141 pounds throughout the season by several publications
• Earned the No. 4 seed in the 141-pound weight bracket at the Big 12 Championship
• Earned the No. 13 seed in the 141-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
2022-23 (r-Fr.)
• NCAA Qualifier
• Seventh-place finisher at Big 12 Championship in this postseason debut
• Registered a 22-14 record at 141 pounds for second among starters in wins
• Claimed a 4-1 decision over No. 12 Carter Young of Oklahoma State at the NCAA tournament (March 16-18)
• Sealed a 3-1 decision over Job Greenwood of Wyoming in the seventh-place match
• Secured a 5-3 decision over Ty Smith of Utah Valley in sudden victory
• Registered a 4-2 record at the Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open (Nov. 13)
• Posted a 2-2 record at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships (Dec. 29-30)
• Cleveland State Open runner-up (Dec. 11)
• Pulled off a 16-1 tech. fall over Billy Meiszner of Kent State in the quarterfinals of the CSO
• Knocked off No. 1 Cole Matthews in the team’s 24-11 victory over No. 21 Pitt (Jan. 8)
• Scored a 11-3 major decision over honorable mention Casey Swiderski of Iowa State (Feb. 3)
• Recorded a 14-2 major decision over Aidan Waszak in the team’s 28-9 win over Ohio (Jan. 6)
• Big 12 Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 9)
• WVU Student-Athlete of the Week (Jan. 9)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 141 pounds throughout the season by several publications
• Earned the No. 8 seed in the 141-pound weight bracket at the Big 12 Championship
• Earned the No. 29 seed in the 141-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships 2021-22 (Fr.)
• Team’s Rookie of the Year
• Registered a 20-7 record, wrestling unattached in six opens at 133/141 pounds
• Sixth-place finisher after going 4-2 in his debut in the 133-pound bracket at the Clarion Open (Nov. 7)
• Competed at the prestigious Southern Scuffle (Jan. 1-2)
• Ohio Intercollegiate Open 133-pound champion (Nov. 14)
• Edinboro Open 133-pound champion (Feb. 6)
• Patriots Open 133-pound runner-up (Dec. 5) Prep
• Five-year letterwinner for the Center Moriches Red Devils
• Posted a 168-7 record in his scholastic career, with a 2019-20 undefeated season
• Two-time NYSPHSAA State champion (2019 & 2020)
• First-ever state champion in school history
• Five-time Empire State qualifier and finalist
• First ever New Yorker to claim the Ironman championship (2019)
• Four-time County champion
• Three-time Newsday All-Long Island selection (2019-2021)
• Competed at the prestigious “Who’s #1” event in Austin, Texas
• Journeymen New York State Wrestling champion (2020-21)
• Eastern States Wrestling Classic champion (2019-20)
• NHSCA National champion (2019-20)
• Super 32 All-American (4th)
• Fargo All-American (6th)
• Flo National All-American (8th)
• Top 10 wrestler in the country by FloWrestling (2019-20)
• Suffolk County Coaches Wrestler of the Year (2019-20)
• Played on the Red Devils’ soccer team in the offseason
Personal
• Son of Glenn and Darlene Titus
• Birthday is Dec.12
• Has one sister
• Majoring in sport management
• Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Cole Tolley
Sr. | 197 Tampa, Fla. Sickles HS
2024-25 (Jr.)
• Finished 1-8 overall for the season 2023-24 (So.)
• Wrestled in five opens as a reserve at 197 pounds
• Fifth-place finisher in the Freshman/Sophomore division at the Southeast Open (Nov. 4)
• Pinned Morgan State's Alexander Newkirk (T - 1:18) on his way to a 4-1 record at the SEO
• Made his debut in the team's first event at the SEO
• Third-place finisher at the Storm Open (Dec. 3)
• Fourth-place finisher at the Bobby Kauffman Open (Jan. 7)
Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the Sickles Gryphons
• Third-place finish at FHSAA state championships (2022)
• Two-time Florida state qualifier
• Sickles' Scholar Athlete of the Year (2022)
• Holds school records for consecutive wins (51), single-season wins (58), career pins (76) and single-season pins (30)
Personal
• Son of Jeremy and Angie Tolley
• Birthday is Aug. 28
• Has three brothers
• Majoring in coaching and performance science
Ty Watters
r-So. | 157 Imperial, Pa. West Allegheny HS
2024-25 (So.)
• Southeast Open champion (149)
• Finished 6-0 overall for the season
• Competed at the NWCA All-Star Classic
• Season cut short due to injury 2023-24 (Fr.)
• NCAA All-American
• Fourth-place finisher at the NCAA Division I Championships (March 21-23)
• NCAA Qualifier
• Big 12 Champion (March 9-10)
• Team's Most Outstanding Wrestler
• Team’s Rookie of the Year
• Team's Most Falls Award (12)
• Posted a 30-6 overall record as starter at 149 pounds, including 12 wins over ranked opponents
• Pinned No. 2 Kyle Parco of Arizona State in 6:58 for a spot in third-place match at the NCAA Championships
• Secured a 10-2 major decision over No. 7 Casey Swiderski of Iowa State at the NCAA Championships
• Pinned No. 9 Jaden Abas of Stanford (3:29) in the blood round to earn All-America status at the NCAA Championships
• Claimed a 19-4 technical fall over No. 11 Logan Gioffre of Missouri in his opening match at the NCAA Championships
• Captured an 11-7 injury default over No. 21 Jordan Williams of Oklahoma State in the finals of the Big 12 Championship
• Delivered a 19-2 technical fall over No. 23 Gabe Willochell of Wyoming in the semifinals of the Big 12 Championship
• Earned a 12-2 major decision over No. 30 Maxwell Petersen of North Dakota State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship
• Ken Kraft Midlands Championships runner up (Dec. 29-30)
• Pinned No. 11 Corbyn Munson of Central Michigan (6:44) in the semifinals of the KKMC
• Outlasted No. 16 Kannon Webster of Illinois by a 4-2 decision in the quarterfinals of the KKMC
• Pinned No. 33 Douglas Terry of Cleveland State (3:40) in the third round of the KKMC
• Southeast Open runner-up (Nov. 4)
• Recorded a 4-1 record to reach the finals at the SEO
• Picked up a 6-1 decision over No. 11 Logan Gioffre of No. 2 Missouri (Jan. 26)
• Pinned Air Force's Joe Fernau (3:51) and RV Northern Colorado's Benji Alanis (2:42) in the team's road sweep (Dec. 8 & Dec. 10)
• Collected three pins in the team's sweep of Kent State, Cleveland State and Duke (Nov. 12)
• Two-time WVU Student-Athlete of the Week (Jan. 16 & March 25)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 at 149 pounds throughout the season by several publications
• Earned the No. 3 seed in the 149-pound weight bracket at the Big 12 Championship
• Earned the No. 5 seed in the 149-pound weight bracket at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Prep
• Four-year letterwinner for the West Allegheny Indians
• Posted a 98-8 overall record, including a undefeated 39-0 mark as a senior
• Two-time PIAA State Champion (2022 & 2023)
• Three-time Pennsylvania state qualifier
• PIAA Southwest Regional Champion (2023)
• Three-time WPIAL sectional Champion
• Powerade Champion (2023)
• Super 32 finalist (2022)
• Rated No. 3 in the country at 152 pounds according to FloWrestling Personal
• Son of Justin Watters and Amy Lamb
• Birthday is Dec. 24
• Has two sisters and one brother
• Sister Sydney cheers at NC State and brother Jordan wrestles at West Liberty
• Majoring in physical education and kinesiology
NEWCOMERS
Gunner Andrick
Fr. | 133/141
Letart, W.Va.
Point Pleasant HS
High School
• Wrestled at Point Pleasant High School under head coach John Bonecutter
• Four-time state champion
• Four-time regional champion
• Two-time Conference Wrestler of the Year
• Finished undefeated during his high school career
• Holds six school records
• Scholar All-American Personal
• Son of Jason and Brooke Andrick
• Mom ran track and cross country at Marshall
• Has one sister
• Birthday is March 13
• Majoring in finance
Michael Baldwin
Fr. | 165/174
Saginaw, Mich.
Saginaw United HS
High School
• Competed at Saginaw United High School under head coach Angel Rodriguez
• Wrestled for Ragnarok Wrestling Club under head coach Kristofer Roach
• Finished with 120 career wins during his high school wrestling career
• 2025 MHSAA state champions
• Two-time MHSAA regional runner-up
• Two-time MHSAA district champion
• Placed third at the 2024 MHSAA state championships
• Qualified for the 2023 MHSAA state championships
Personal
• Son of Lionel and Arshen Baldwin
• Has one brother and two sisters
• Brother is part of the University of Michigan marching band
• Birthday is April 30
• Majoring in exercise physiology
Alexander Berisha
Fr. | 197
Mount Kisco, N.Y. Fox Lane HS
High School
• Competed at Fox Lane High School for coaches
Anthony Rodrigues and Jason Parker
• Wrestled for GPS Wrestling Club under head coach Grant Paswall
• New York state champion
• Two-time New York state finalist
• Eastern States champion
• Three-time Eastern States placer
• Three-time Section One champion
• Three-time Westchester County champion
• Finished 157-19 during his high school career
• Two-time NHSCA All-American
• Three-time New York Freestyle state champion
• New York State Greco champion
Personal
• Son of John and Eva Berisha
• Has one brother and one sister
• Brother wrestled at Sacred Heart University
• Birthday is Jan. 18
• Majoring in exercise physiology
Leo Contino
Fr. | 157/165
Clovis, Calif.
Buchanan High School
High School
• Competed at Buchanan High School under head coach Troy Tirrapelle
• Wrestled for Dethrone Wrestling Club under head coach Jason Craft
• Four-time placer at the California state championships
• Two-time placer at Super 32
• NHSCA finalist
Personal
• Son of Matthew and Michelle Contino
• Has two brothers and two sisters
• Birthday is March 6
• Majoring in general business
Cole Evans
Fr. | 149/157
Perrysburg, Ohio
Perrysburg High School
High School
• Competed at Perrysburg High School under head coach Scott Burnett
• Competed for Burnett Trained Wrestling
• Son of Mark and Jackie Evans
• Has one brother and one sister
• Birthday is April 30
• Majoring in mechanical engineering
Louie Gill
r-So. | 125
Hermitage, Pa.
Reynolds High School
NC State
Before West Virginia
• Wrestled at NC State from 2024-25
• Finished 14-3 overall for the Wolfpack
High School
• Competed at Reynolds High School under head coach Casey Taylor
• Wrestled for the Gladiators under head coach Justin Watters
• Two-time state championship finalist
• Nationally ranked throughout high school
Personal
• Three-time Ohio state champion Personal
• Son of Chris and Wendy Gill
• Has three brothers
• Birthday is Jan. 20
• Majoring in business
Coen Grimm
r-So. | 197 Wadsworth, Ohio Wadsworth High School Iowa Central CC
Before West Virginia
• Wrestled at Iowa Central Community College from 2023-25
• Finished 39-4 overall
• NJCAA national runner-up
• NJCAA All-American
• NJCAA Academic All-American High School
• Competed at Wadsworth High School under head coach Clay Wengar
• Two-time top-four finisher at the Ohio state championships
• Two-time Ohio district champion
Personal
• Son of Harry Grimm IV and Carice Pappas
• Has one brother and one sister
• Birthday is May 21
• Majoring in wildlife and fisheries resources
Ramil Islamov
Fr. | 141 Pittsburgh, Pa. Baldwin High School High School
• Competed at Baldwin High School under coaches Michael Bilbie and Blake Toki
• Wrestled for the Gladiators under head coach Justin Watters
• Finished his high school career with 148 wins
• Two-time North Coast Classic champion
• Three-time Southmoreland champion
• 2025 Allegheny County champion
• 2025 Section 7 champion
• 2025 WPIAL champion
• 2025 regionals runner-up
• Two-time PIAA state placer
• 2022 Toledo Golden Gloves champion in boxing
• 2016-17 Western Pennsylvania Golden Gloves champion in boxing
Personal
• Son of Zhamil Islamov and Irina Shmeleva
• Has three brothers and one sister
• Birthday is July 10
• Major is undecided
Brock Kehler
Fr. | HWT
Morgantown, W.Va.
University High School
High School
• Competed at University High School
• Wrestled for multiple wrestling clubs
• Four-time state champion
• Dutton Award & Dave Shultz Excellence Award recipient
• NHSCA national champion
• Two-time NHSCA finalist
• Three-time NHSCA All-American
• Finished 185-1 overall in high school, including 172 wins in a row
• Never lost a match after his freshman season
• Also played football for UHS and competed for the track and field team
• OVAC Athlete of the Year
• Three-time WV All-State in football
• Three-time First Team OVAC in football
• Holds the school record and OVAC 4A shot put record (54’7”)
• National Honor Society member
Personal
• Son of Ryan and Elizabeth Kehler
• Father wrestled and played football for WVU
• Has one brother
• Birthday is Aug. 13
• Majoring in pre-med nursing
Carmine Lenzi
Fr. | 174
Robesonia, Pa.
Berks Catholic High School
High School
• Competed at Berks Catholic High School under head coach Derek Sola
• Wrestled for Parabellum Wrestling under head coach Arthur Walsh
• Two-time sixth place finisher at the PIAA state championships
• Two-time district champion
• Three-time sectional champion
• Four-time PIAA state qualifier
• Finished his high school career with 154 wins
• Two-time BCIAA champion
• U16 Team PA Cadet National Team participant
• Third place finisher at the PAUSAW Freestyle state tournament
• Three-time Academic All-State
• 2025 Second Team Pennsylvania All-Academic High School Boys Wrestling Team
Personal
• Son of Carmine and Tamara Lenzi
• Father played football at Penn State
• Has one sister
• Birthday is March 2
• Majoring in finance
Willie McDougald
Gr. | 149
Niagara Falls, N.Y. Niagara Falls HS Oklahoma
Before West Virginia
• Wrestled for the University of Oklahoma from 2020-25
• Went 52-27 in five years for the Sooners
• Three-time NCAA qualifier
• Placed three times at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships, including second in 2022
• Compiled a 21-8 record as a starter at 149 pounds in 2024-25
• Reached as high as No. 13 in the InterMat rankings last season
• Started for the Sooners at the Big 12 Championships, wrestling as the No. 3 seed in the 149-pound bracket while picking up four wins for a podium finish (fifth place) in 2025
• Qualified for the NCAA Championships as the No. 21 seed, finishing 1-2 with an SV-1 8-5 decision win over Michigan’s No. 28 Dylan Gilcher in 2025 High School
• Competed at Niagara Falls High School for head coach DJ Giancola
• Wrestled for the Niagara Falls Powercats under head coach Joe Austin
• Two-time (2018, 2020) New York state champion
• Compiled 243-17 wins in high school, the most in Niagara Falls HS history
• Three-time NHSCA All-American
• Awarded Most Outstanding Wrestler award for western New York
• No. 17-ranked prospect nationally at 145 pounds per InterMat and No. 5 prospect in New York per ArmDrag Personal
• Son of William and McDougald Sr. and Morgan Goldsmith
• Has two brothers and three sisters
• Birthday is Jan. 21
• Majoring in applied sport science in coaching
Casen Roark
Fr. | 133
Nashville, Tenn.
Father Ryan High School
High School
• Wrestled at Father Ryan High School for head coach Pat Simpson
• Competed for Nashville Catholic Wrestling under head coach Vince Gioella
• Four-time Division II Tennessee state champion
• Two-time Division II Tennessee Wrestler of the Year
• Four-time National Prep AA
• Escape the Rock finalist in 2025
• Powerade AA
• NHSCA finalist
• Graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA
Personal
• Son of Cory and Laura Roark
• Has one sister
• Birthday is Oct. 4
• Majoring in engineering
Luke Satriano
Fr. | 133/141
Montgomery, N.Y.
Valley Central High School
High School
• Competed at Valley Central High School for coaches Robert Satriano and Ed Vass
• Wrestled for Deep Roots Wrestling Club under head coach Ricky Scott
• Four-time All-State honoree
• Three-time state champion
• Four-time All-Section honoree
• Two-time NHSCA All-American
• 2024 Powerade All-American
• Two-time New York State freestyle champion
• 2024 New York State triple crown winner
• Finished 165-16 during his high school career
Personal
• Son of Vincent and Jennifer Satriano
• Has one brother and two sisters
• Birthday is Feb. 19
• Majoring in physical education and kinesiology
Luke Sherlock
Fr. | 141 Medford, N.J.
Shawnee High School
High School
• Competed at Shawnee High School under coach Kyle Packer
• Wrestled for the Seagulls under head coach John Vanbrill
• Finished 116-20 overall
• Four-time district champion
• Four-time region finalist
• Placed seventh at the New Jersey state championships
Personal
• Son of Tim of Roberta Sherlock
• Has two brothers
• Birthday is Jan. 31
• Majoring in biology
Lonzy Vielma
Fr. | 149/157
Vanderbilt, Pa.
Connellsville Area HS
High School
• Competed at Connellsville Area High School under head coach Bill Swink
• Wrestled for Quest under head coach Jim Akerly
• Four-time State qualifier
• Two-time medalist at the state championships
• 2025 WPIAL champion
• Finished 154-46 for his high school career
• National Honor Society member
Personal
• Son of Alonzo and Amanda Vielma
• Has one brother
• Birthday is July 16
• Majoring in biology: pre-med
‘WE WANT TO KEEP MOVING UP’
Flynn Looks to 2025-26 Season with Excitement, Expectations
Relaxing in a lounge chair inside the West Virginia University Wrestling Pavilion, coach Tim Flynn is just days away from the first “official” practice of the 2025-26 season.
Sporting a light gray WVU hoodie, gym shorts and a hat, Flynn chats with his staff as wrestlers funnel in and out of the pavilion for their weightlifting sessions. It’s the calm before the storm as the Mountaineers have their eyes set on a season that comes with major expectations.
Considering some of the injuries the team faced, the 2024-25 season could not have gone any better for the Mountaineers.
A sixth-place finish at the Big 12
Championships and a top-20 finish at the NCAA Championships, highlighted by a third-place finish by fifth-year Peyton Hall, summed up a year full of milestones.
With those accomplishments come expectations for more as Flynn returns a core of experienced wrestlers while adding to his lineup. Despite entering his eighth year at WVU, Flynn feels he has remained the same in his time as head coach in Morgantown.
“I think most things stay the same,” Flynn said. “If you’re not making little adjustments, you’re probably not learning anything. Minor adjustments every year to try to get this system perfect.”
TY WATTERS
The roster this season features a litany of talent. Redshirt sophomore Ty Watters returns following an injury that cut last season short before January. Graduate student Jett Strickenberger looks to follow up his 2025 Big 12 title with one in 2026 and classmate Willie McDougald, a three-time NCAA qualifier at Oklahoma, joins the Mountaineers.
There is no denying the talent Watters brings to the mat. As a true freshman, he placed fourth at the NCAA Championships to cap a season where he won 30 matches at 149 pounds. However, Flynn sees the strength in having Watters with the program in his ability to lead and motivate teammates.
“I think one of the best things he brings to the table is his attitude every day,” Flynn said about Watters. “He’s a pretty upbeat guy. He’s pretty happy. He wants to be here, wants to lift weights, wants to run. I think when you have someone like that around, it’s infectious.”
Flynn sees many wrestlers who contribute to the team as competitors and as leaders. Redshirt junior Ian Bush earned his first career trip to the NCAA Championships last season after placing fourth at the Big 12 Championships. Flynn has seen Bush’s role grow from a leadership perspective due to that success on the mat.
“Some people are leaders by how they conduct themselves,” Flynn said. “I think Ian Bush has been a leader for a little bit now because he keeps his mouth shut, comes to work every day and has the same effort every day. I think that’s why he has been getting better.”
West Virginia wrestles in one of the most competitive conferences in the nation in the Big 12 Conference. Last season, two teams placed in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships, with Oklahoma State leading the conference at third.
“If you’re competing well in the Big 12,
you’re usually pretty good nationally,” Flynn said. “The Big 12 is a really difficult conference. I think any time you’re doing well within the conference and placing at the conference [championship], you put yourself in a position to do well at nationals, which is ultimately everyone’s goal.”
Due to the results from last season, Flynn has high expectations for the program as he wants to see growth, while also competing highly in the Big 12 and nationally.
“We were a top-20 team the last two years; we want to keep moving up,” Flynn said.
“Top 10 would be the next step, hopefully higher. We have a number of kids who can place this year and a couple of kids who can compete for a national championship.
“Keeping them hungry and healthy is a big part of it. I’m excited. We have a good culture now and a good group of kids. It’s a lot of fun, so it makes coaching a little bit easier.”
SCHEDULE
2024-25 SEASON REVIEW
10-7 OVERALL, 4-6 BIG 12
• West Virginia won 10 or more matches for the third consecutive season for the first time since 1985-1988
• WVU finished its third consecutive season ranked in a final dual poll
• For the first time in program history, two wrestlers won a conference title at the same Big 12 Wrestling Championships
• Fifth-year Peyton Hall won his first title at 165 pounds and senior Jett Strickenberger won his first title at 125 pounds
• Six Mountaineers finished on the podium as redshirt sophomore Ian Bush (197) placed fourth, redshirt junior Jordan Titus (141) placed sixth, fifth-year Sam Hillegas (149) placed seventh and fifth-year Caleb Dowling (157) placed eighth
• As a team, WVU placed sixth at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships for the second consecutive season, tying its best finish at the conference championships since the conference expanded
• For the third year in a row, five Mountaineers competed at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships
• West Virginia had two wrestlers in the quarterfinals (Hall and Strickenberger) for the first time since 2022
• Hall placed third at the wrestling championships as he became the highestplacing Mountaineer at the championships since 2015
• Hall also tied Greg Jones for the most wins at the NCAA Tournament in program history with 17
• Hall became the winningest Mountaineer in the history of WVU wrestling with 135 career wins
• Hall also became just the third three-time All-American with his top-three finish at the NCAA Championships
• Hall became the first Mountaineer to compete at five NCAA Championships in program history
• West Virginia has had an All-American in six consecutive seasons for the first time since 2002-07
• As a team, WVU placed in the top 20 at the wrestling championships for the second year in a row, marking the first time since 2004-05
• Hall became just the third Mountaineer to earn a win at the NWCA All-Star Classic
• West Virginia placed 11th at the Cliff Keen Invitational, marking the program’s highest finish since placing 12th in 2007
• Hall became the first Mountaineer to win a title at the Cliff Keen Invitational since Greg Jones won in 2002
• West Virginia set a program record with eight National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-Americans: Bush, senior Michael Dolan, Dowling, Hall, freshman Mason Kernan, freshman Rune Lawrence, fifth-year Tommy Maddox, redshirt junior Jace Schafer
2024-25 ACCOLADES
IAN BUSH
• NCAA Qualifier at 197 pounds
• Placed fourth at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (197)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 multiple times throughout the season
• Southeast Open champion (184)
• Fifth place finisher at Midlands Championships
• Team’s Mountain Man
• Team’s Iron Mountaineer
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District At-Large Team
BRODY CONLEY
• Competed at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (174)
• Nationally ranked in the top 30 throughout the season
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
MICHAEL DOLAN
• Second place finisher at the Purple Raider Open
• Fifth place finisher at the Shorty Hitchcock Memorial Open
• Fifth place finisher at the Edinboro Open
• Fifth place finisher at Zingo Nationals
• NWCA Scholar All-American
CALEB DOWLING
• Placed eighth at Big 12 Wrestling Championships (157)
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
BRIAN FINNERTY
• Competed at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (HWT)
SASHA GAVRONSKY
• Southeast Open champion (157)
• Fourth place finisher at Zingo Nationals
PEYTON HALL
• Program leader in wins (135)
• Tied first in program history with 17 wins at the NCAA Championships
• Second in program history with 26 career pins
• Big 12 Champion at 165 pounds
• NCAA All-American
• Nationally ranked in the top four throughout the season
• Southeast Open champion (165)
• Became just the third Mountaineer to earn a win at the NWCA AllStar Classic
• Cliff Keen Invitational Champion
• Team’s Most Outstanding Wrestler
• Team’s Takedown leader
• Team’s Wins leader
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
SAM HILLEGAS
• Placed seventh at Big 12 Wrestling Championships (149)
MASON KERNAN
• Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open champion
• Fifth place finisher at Southeast Open (133 – freshman/sophomore division)
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2024-25 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
RUNE LAWRENCE
• Team’s Rookie of the Year
• Team’s Falls leader
• Purple Raider Open champion
• Edinboro Open champion
• Sixth place finisher at Southeast Open (197)
• Eighth place finisher at Midlands Championship
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2024-25 Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team
TOMMY MADDOX
• Competed at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (133)
• Bobby Kauffman Open champion
• Third place finisher at the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open
• NWCA Scholar All-American
DENNIS ROBIN
• NCAA Qualifier at 184 pounds
• Competed at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (184)
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 throughout the season
• Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open champion
• Fifth place finisher at Southeast Open (184)
• Seventh place finisher at Cliff Keen Invitational
JACE SCHAFER
• Third place finisher at Southeast Open (125)
• NWCA Scholar All-American
• 2025 Winter Academic All-Big 12 Team
JETT STRICKENBERGER
• Big 12 Champion at 125 pounds
• NCAA Qualifier at 125 pounds
• Advanced to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Championships
• Nationally ranked in the top 33 throughout the season
• Second place finisher at Southeast Open (125)
• Team’s Most Improved
SHAWN TAYLOR
• Purple Raider Open champion
• Second place finisher at the Kent State Open
• Fifth place finisher at the Bobby Kauffman Open
JORDAN TITUS
• NCAA Qualifier at 141 pounds
• Placed sixth at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships (141)
TY WATTERS
• Southeast Open champion (149)
• Michael Wolfgram
• Fourth place finisher at Southeast Open (HWT)
2024-25 MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
NO. 18 WEST VIRGINIA 35, GLENVILLE STATE 10
n ov 6, 2024 | WV u Coliseum | Morgantown, WVa
125:. Jace Schafer (WVU) major dec. Colton Drousias (GSC), 14-2
133: No. 18 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) tech. fall over Hunter Ross (GSC), 17-2 [T – 7:00]
141: No. 16 Jordan Titus (WVU) tech. fall over Gavin Quiocho (GSC), 16-0 [T – 6:28]
149: No. 3 Ty Watters (WVU) tech. fall over Gabe Onorato (GSC), 15-0 [T – 3:28]
157: Caleb Dowling (WVU) tech. fall over Loranzo Rajaonarivelo (GSC), 18-3 [T – 18-3]
165: Guy DeLeonardis (GSC) major dec. Trey Johnson (WVU), 14-3
174: No. 3 Peyton Hall (WVU) tech. fall over Hayden Pummel (GSC), 18-3 [T – 6:00]
184: Kyle Homet (GSC) dec. No. 23 Ian Bush (WVU), 11-10
197: Nick Johnson (GSC) dec. Austin Cooley (WVU), 4-1 (SV1)
HWT: Michael Wolfgram (WVU) won by fall over Devan Gauldin (GSC), [T – 4:39]
NO. 19 WEST VIRGINIA 31, RIDER 9
n ov 14, 2024 | Alumni gymnasium | l awrenceville, n J
125:. Jace Schafer (WVU) dec. Will Betancourt (RU), 1-0
133: No. 22 Jett Strickenberger (WVU) won by fall over Michael Campanaro (RU), [T – 4:31]
141: No. 15 Jordan Titus (WVU) won by fall over McKenzie Bell (RU), [T – 6:14]
149: No. 3 Ty Watters (WVU) tech. fall over No. 24 Sammy Alvarez (RU), 16-1 [T – 5:00]
184: No. 25 Dennis Robin (WVU) dec. Cael Valencia (ASU), 12-7
197: Ian Bush (WVU) major dec. Jacob Meissner (ASU), 11-3
HWT: No. 5 Cohlton Schultz won by fall over Wilson Spires (WVU) [T – 2:35]
2024-25 SEASON STATS
STARTERS (BY WEIGHT CLASS)
RESERVES (BY LAST NAME)
REDSHIRTS (BY
INDIVIDUALSEASON/CAREER RECORDS
SEASON RECORDS
UNDEFEATED SEASONS
1. Noah Adams 32-0 2020
2. Greg Jones 27-0 2004
3. Greg Jones 26-0 2005
WINS LEADER
1. Scott Collins 40-1 1991
Jim Akerly 40-9 1987
3. Mike Mason 39-6 1998
Dominic Black 39-3 1991
Michael Carr 39-6-1 1988
6. Matt Lebe 37-8 2005
7. Peyton Hall 35-2 2025
Sam Kline 35-8 1998
Mike Mason 35-5 1997
9. Greg Jones 34-2 2002
10. Matt Lebe 33-5 2006
Tom McMath 33-4 2002
Dean Morrison 33-3 1994
Jim Akerly 33-10-1 1988
PINS LEADER
1. Bubba Scheffel 15 2014
2. Scott Collins 13 1991
3. Ty Watters 12 2024
4. Brandon Lauer 11 2003
5. Matt Ryan 10 2011
Ryan Kehler 10 2002
Ryan Kehler 10 2001
Matt Blair 10 1993
9. Brody Conley 9 2024
Peyton Hall 9 2023, ‘24
Colin Johnston 9 2014
R.J. Costello 9 1984 SEASON LEADERS BY
1. Greg Jones 34-2 2002
2. Zeke Moisey 32-4 2015
3. Ty Watters 30-6 2024
Brandon Rader 30-6 2006
5. Seth Lisa 28-8 2003
6. Scott Collins 26-12-1 1987
Jeff Spinetti 26-10-2 1987
8. Kurt Brenner 25-6 2006
Billy Smith 25-12 2000
10. Cory Stainbrook 24-16 2014
Nathan Pennesi 24-8 2011
1. Noah Adams 32-0 2020
Steve Millward 32-10 1990
Jim Akerly 32-12-1 1986
4. Matt Lebe 31-9 2004
5. Jacob A. Smith 30-10 2016
Greg Jones 30-2 2003
7. Bubba Scheffel 29-9 2014
Nathan Pennesi 29-10 2012
Bob Patnesky 29-14 1998
10. Peyton Hall 28-6 2022
Shane Young 28-10 2011
Joe Carr 28-10 2000
1. Jim Akerly 40-9 1987
2. Matt Lebe 37-8 2006
3. Sam Kline 35-8 1998 Mike Mason 35-5 1997
5. Tom McMath 33-4 2002
Dominic Black 33-5 1990
7. Dean Morrison 32-7 1993
8. Vertus Jones 31-4 1999
9. Dylan Cottrell 30-9 2016 Ryan Kehler 30-8 2001
1. Scott Collins 40-1 1991
2. Mike Mason 39-6 1998 Dominic Black 39-3 1991
Michael Carr 39-6-1 1988
5. Peyton Hall 35-2 2025
6. Matt Lebe 33-5 2006
Dean Morrison 33-3 1994 Jim Akerly 33-10-1 1988
9. Peyton Hall 32-9 2024
10. Michael Morales 31-12 2015 Joe Carr 31-5 2002
SEASON LEADERS BY WEIGHT 118/125
1. Zeke Moisey 32-14 2015 Steve Millward 32-10 1990
3. Shane Young 28-10
CAREER RECORDS
(2003-06)
(1987-91)
(1985-88)
(1988-91)
(1990-94)
(1999-02)
(1995-98)
(1986-90)
29 (1999-02)
26 (2020-25)
24 (1978-81)
23 (2013-15)
23 (2009-12)
22 (1997-00)
22 (1990-94) 8.
21 (1995-99)
21 (2002-05) Whitey
TEAM & INDIVIDUAL HONORS
TEAM HONORS
Cliff Keen/ NWCA National Duals
1991 8th Place
W, Indiana, 21-14
L, Nebraska, 19-21
W, Northwestern, 35-5
L, Northern Iowa, 16-23
L, North Carolina, 15-20
1992 Did Not Place
L, Wisconsin, 9-39
L, Augsburg, 8-25
1996 Did Not Place
L, Oklahoma State, 15-28
L, Pitt, 15-22
1998 6th Place
W, Michigan, 28-10
L, Minnesota, 3-33
W, Penn, 20-19
W, Arizona State, 20-16
L, Penn State, 13-25
L, Nebraska, 8-36
1999 Did Not Place
L, Oklahoma State, 10-31
L, CSU Bakersfield, 17-20
2000 Did Not Place
L, Penn, 20-23
W, Rider, 29-9
L, Nebraska, 6-35
2003 Did Not Place
L, Oklahoma, 18-20
L, Minnesota, 15-20
2004 Did Not Place
L, Michigan, 16-29
W, Cleveland State, 21-16
L, Penn, 18-21
2005 Did Not Place
L, Illinois, 6-34
L, Penn State, 16-24
2007 Did Not Place
L, Northwestern, 14-28
L, Penn, 18-25
2008 Did Not Place
L, Minnesota, 9-32
L, Ohio State, 9-29
2009 Did Not Place
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
All-Star
1987 Jim Akerly
(L, Iowa’s Jim Heffernan, 6-0)
1991 Scott Collins (W, Oklahoma State’s Chuck Barbee, 10-6) Mark Banks (L, Iowa’s Mark Reiland, 9-8)
1992 Craig Turnbull (Blue Team Coach)
1994 Keith Taylor (L, Cal Poly’s Jake Gaeir, 5-1)
Dean Morrison
(L, Oregon State’s Les Gutches, 12-3)
1998 Mike Mason (L, Illinois’ Eric Siebert, 3-2)
1999 Vertus Jones
(L, Iowa State’s Cal Sanderson, 6-5)
2001 Ryan Kehler (did not participate due to injury)
2003
Greg Jones (W, Oklahoma State’s Chris Pendleton, 7-3)
Craig Turnbull (Blue Team Coach)
2004
Greg Jones (W, Northern Illinois’ Ben Heizer, 10-6)
2005 Greg Jones (W, Iowa’s Paul Bradley, 3-2)
2015 Zeke Moisey
(L, Ohio State’s Nathan Tomasello, 7-1)
2024
Peyton Hall (W, Stanford’s Hunter Garvin, fall)
Ty Watters
(L, Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness, 4-16)
Scholar All-Americans
1991
1993
1995
1997
1998
1999
Scott Collins
Daniel Staats
Keith Taylor
Keith Taylor
Douglas Verrer
Sam Kline
Angelo Zegarelli
Mike Mason
Sam Kline
Angelo Zegarelli
Bob Patnesky
Sam Kline 2001 Ryan Kehler 2002 Ryan Kehler
Shane Cunanan
Lauer
Cardinale
Michael Dolan
Caleb Dowling
Michael Dolan Caleb Dowling
Peyton Hall
Mason Kernan
Rune Lawrence
Tommy Maddox
Jace Schafer
INDIVIDUAL WVU HONORS
to
WVU Wrestling Hall Of Fame
West Virginia University Wrestling Hall of Fame was instituted in 1991 to recognize those athletes who have helped pioneer WVU athletics into one of the most respected programs in the nation. The initial group of inductees was selected from six different time periods; former athletes, coaches and administrators are eligible for selection 10 years following their association with WVU. The following people have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the Mountaineer wrestling program.
EWL Hall Of Fame
Mark
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS
TEAM RECORDS
Most Dual Wins in a Season: 14, 1990
Fewest Losses in a Season: 0, 1936
Most Losses in a Season: 16, 1977
Fewest Wins in a Season: 0, 1947 and 1948
Most Consecutive Wins in a Season: 10, 2002
Most Consecutive Home Wins in a Season: 10, (8 in 1990 and 2 in 1991)
Most Consecutive Wins to Start a Season: 7, three times; most recent 1990
Most Consecutive EWL Dual Wins in a Season: 19 (2001-04, ended with 13-25 loss at Edinboro)
Most Consecutive Winning Seasons: 11 (1984-1994)
Most Individual Matches Without A Loss: Greg Jones, 51, 2003-05
Most Consecutive Losses in a Season: 17, (5 in 1942, 4 in 1947); 7 in 1948 and 1 in 1949)
Highest National Ranking: 5th, InterMat (2/18/03-3/04/03)
Home Attendance Record: 4,517 (2/18/18 vs. Clarion)
West Virginia did not have wrestling from 1943-46 due to World War II.
DEFEATED A RANKED OPPONENT AT HOME: 1/31/21 vs. No. 17 Northern Colorado, 25-11
DEFEATED A RANKED OPPONENT ON THE ROAD: 01/17/25 vs. No. 20 Oklahoma, 22-13
SCORED 30 POINTS OR MORE ON THE ROAD: 11/22/24 at Appalachian State, 37-8
SCORED 40 POINTS OR MORE ON THE ROAD: 01/28/24 vs. Morgan State, 40-3
SCORED 50 POINTS OR MORE ON THE ROAD: 01/18/09 vs. Duquesne, 57-0
SHUTOUT AN OPPONENT: 12/19/23 vs. Fairmont State, 56-0 WAS SHUTOUT BY AN OPPONENT: 01/10/86 vs. Iowa State (at Virginia Duals), 42-0
SOCON/EWL/BIG 12 TOURNAMENT HISTORY
SOCON CHAMPIONS
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
Don Kniffen (167)
Bob Boswell (285)
Bobby Perry (123)
Bobby Perry (123)
Bobby Perry (123)
Lew Guidi (130)
Bill Pritchard (137)
Bryce Kramer (157)
Bobby Perry (123)
Bryce Kramer (157)
Frank Craze (177)
Lew Guidi (130)
Tom Westfall (123)
Mike McClintic (177)
Tom Westfall (123)
Charles Sherwood (167)
J.D. Miller (285)
Andy Sadie (147)
Charles Sherwood (167)
J.D. Miller (285)
Phil Hoblitzell (167)
Ray Bazzoli (285)
Mike Petres (130)
Roy Sialer (167)
Sam Church (147)
Tom Rihn (167)
Roy Sisler (177)
Bill Meacci (130)
Jim Jioio (157)
Mark Biodolillo (167)
Roy Sisler (177)
Ken Woodeshick (285)
Jerry Gooden (157)
Mike George (285)
Don Check (123)
Bill Maecci (137)
Bill Zimmerman (152)
John Luckini (177)
Ken Woodeshick (285)
Don Killen (130)
Jim Stevens (137)
1968 Gil Reel (191)
EWL CHAMPIONS
1986
1988
1990
1991
1992
1993
Bill Nye (HWT)
Mike Carr (158)
Dirk Cole (150)
Mark Banks (167)
Dominic Black (177)
Jeff Spinetti (190)
Scott Collins (142)
Mark Banks (167)
Dominic Black (190)
Dean Morrison (177)
Dean Morrison (177) 1994
1996
Dorian Hager (134)
Dean Morrison (177)
Jason Frable (158) 1997
Vertus Jones (167) 1998
1999
2000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2012
Mike Mason (150)
Vertus Jones (177)
Sam Kline (174)
Vertus Jones (184)
Vertus Jones (184)
Bob Patnesky (133)
Joe Carr (157)
Joe Carr (157)
Tom McMath (165)
Greg Jones (174)
Billy Smith (149)
Greg Jones (174)
Greg Jones (184)
Matt Lebe (157)
Greg Jones (184)
Brandon Rader (141)
Matt Lebe (157)
Kurt Brenner (174)
Jared Villers (197)
Brandon Rader (141)
Jared Villers (197)
Kurt Brenner (184)
Jared Villers (197)
Kurt Brenner (174)
Michael Morales (133)
Matt Ryan (184)
Brandon Williamson (HWT)
EWL TOURNAMENT BESTS
Team Finish: 1st, 1996, 2002, 2004
Most Points: 123.5, 2003
Most Finalists: 8, 1996 and 1999 Champions: 4
1990 (Banks, Black, Cole and Spinetti)
2006 (Rader, Lebe, Brenner and Villers)
EWL TOURNAMENT WINS
1. David Jauregui 13 2006-09
2. Greg Jones 12 2002-05
3. Vertus Jones 11 1997-00
4. Kurt Brenner 10 2006-09
Joe Carr 10 1999-02
10
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
12 CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS
(125)
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
NCAA TOURNAMENT WINS
1. Greg Jones 17 (2002-05)
Peyton Hall 17 (2021-25)
3. Vertus Jones 14 (1997-2000)
4. Matt Lebe 11 (2003-06)
Whitey Chlebove 11 (1995-96, 98-99)
6. Killian Cardinale 10 (2021-23)
Sam Kline 10 (1997-99)
Scott Collins 10 (1988, 90-91)
NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES
Peyton Hall 5 (2021-25)
John Koss 4 (1994-97)
Dorian Hager 4 (1994, 1996-98)
Mike Mason 4 (1995-98)
Vertus Jones 4 (1997-2000)
Angelo Zegarelli 4 (1997-2000)
Joe Carr 4 (1999-02)
Shane Cunanan 4 (2000-03)
Greg Jones 4 (2002-05)
Matt Lebe 4 (2003-06)
Zac Fryling 4 (2004-05, 2007-08)
Jared Villers 4 (2005-08)
Kurt Brenner 4 (2006-09)
David Jauregui 4 (2006-09)
Donnie Jones 4 (2008-11)
Jacob A. Smith* 4 (2015-18)
Jim Akerly 3 (1986-88)
Jeff Spinetti 3 (1988-90)
Scott Collins 3 (1988, 1990-91)
Dominic Black 3 (1989-91)
Dave Onorato 3 (1990-92)
Dean Morrison 3 (1992-94)
Whitey Chlebove 3 (1996, 1998-99)
Sam Kline 3 (1997-99)
Bob Patnesky 3 (1997-2000)
Billy Smith 3 (2000, 2002-03)
Dustin Rogers 3 (2007-09)
Shane Young 3 (2010-12)
Nathan Pennesi 3 (2011-13)
Bubba Scheffel 3 (2014-16)
Zeke Moisey* 3 (2015-18)
Killian Cardinale 3 (2021-23)
Jordan Titus 3 (2021-25)
* Moisey and Smith withdrew from the 2016 and 2017 NCAA Championships, respectively, due to injury
NCAA TOURNAMENT BESTS
Team Finish: 6th Place, 1991
Most Points: 54.00, 1999
Most Qualifiers: 9, 2003
Individual Finish: 1st Scott Collins 1991; Dean Morrison 1994; Greg Jones 2002, 2004 and 2005
All-Americans: 3
1991 (Mark Banks, Dominic Black, Scott Collins);
1998 (Whitey Chlebove, Vertus Jones, Mike Mason);
1999 (Whitey Chlebove, Vertus Jones, Sam Kline)
NCAA CHAMPIONS
1991 Scott Collins 142
1994 Dean Morrison 177
2002 Greg Jones 174
2004 Greg Jones 184
2005 Greg Jones 184
NCAA ALL-AMERICANS
1929 Jimmie Cox Third, 135
1955 Robert Perry Fourth, 115
Lewis Guidi Second, 123
1979 Mark Cagle Eighth, 134
1987 Jim Akerly Eighth, 150
1988 Mike Carr Seventh, 158
1990 Mark Banks Fifth, 167
1991 Mark Banks Fifth, 167
Dominic Black Fourth, 190
Scott Collins First, 142
1993 Doug Taylor Fifth, 158
1994 Dean Morrison First, 177
1997 John Koss Sixth, 177
Mike Mason Seventh, 150
1998 Whitey Chlebove Seventh, 134
Vertus Jones Second, 177
Mike Mason Third, 150
1999 Whitey Chlebove Sixth, 141
Vertus Jones Third, 184
Sam Kline Third, 174
2000 Vertus Jones Second, 184
2002 Greg Jones First, 174
2003 Shane Cunanan Sixth, 141
Brandon Lauer Eighth, 133
2004 Greg Jones First, 184
2005 Matt Lebe Seventh, 157
Greg Jones First, 184
2006 Brandon Rader Sixth, 141
2007 Brandon Rader Sixth, 141
2015 Zeke Moisey Second, 125
2018 Zeke Moisey Eighth, 125
2020 Noah Adams 197*
2021 Killian Cardinale Seventh, 125
2022 Peyton Hall Eighth, 165
2023 Killian Cardinale Eighth, 125
2024 Ty Watters Fourth, 149
Peyton Hall Seventh, 165
2025 Peyton Hall Third, 165
* 2020 NCAA Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
TOP 25 FINISHES AT NCAA TOURNAMENT
1929 T-9th 2.00 points
T-12th 1.00 points
12th
T-22nd
points
points
18th 17.50 points
6th
points
* New system implemented by the NCAA to qualify for the NCAA Tournament
^ Moisey withdrew from the 2016 NCAA Championships due to injury
& Smith withdrew from the 2017 NCAA Championships due to injury
% 2020 NCAA Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
SHANE YOUNG
DONNIE JONES
JAKE SMITH
YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS
Year Coach Captains Record
1984 Craig Turnbull R.J. Costello, Mike Levanduski 8-8-0
1985 Craig Turnbull R.J. Costello, Mike Levanduski 13-3-0 1986 Craig Turnbull Bill Nye, Thad Turner
1987 Craig Turnbull Jim Akerly Gordon Taylor 10-6-0 1988 Craig Turnbull Jim Akerly,
1955 Steve Harrick Bob Perry 4-2-0 1956 Steve Harrick Lewis Guidi 1-6-1
Steve Harrick Tom Westfall 5-6-0 1958 Steve Harrick Tom Westfall 6-4-0 1959 Steve Harrick Tom Westfall 9-2-0 1960 Steve Harrick Charles Sherwood 9-2-0 1961 Steve Harrick Paul Hoblitzell 9-3-0 1962 Steve Harrick Roy Sisler 7-3-1
1963 Steve Harrick George Nedeff 10-3
1964 Steve Harrick Roy Sisler 11-3
1965 Steve Harrick Jim Jioio 9-3-1
1966 Steve Harrick Don Check, Francis Pavlovich 4-8-0
1967 Steve Harrick Bill Zimmerman, Angelo Gianni 9-3-0
1968 George Nedeff Angelo Gianni, Don Killen 8-3-1
1969 George Nedeff Jeff Flickenger 9-3-0
1970 George Nedeff Dave McCandles 4-6-0
1971 George Nedeff Bob Vettorel, Steve Orlosky 11-4-1
1972 George Nedeff Bob Vettorel, Roger Lamens 10-5-0
1973 George Nedeff Bob Vettorel 8-7-0
1974 George Nedeff Garrett Breakiron, Tom Oleszewski 7-7-1
1975 Fred Liechti Tom Oleszewski 9-5-0
1976 Fred Liechti Rick Pennesi, Pat Lupinetti 14-5-0
1977 Fred Liechti Mark Durham, Chuck Fordyce 3-17-0
1978 Fred Liechti Mark Durham 7-9-0
1979 Craig Turnbull Mark Cagle, Cliff Boone 9-4-29
1980 Craig Turnbull Mark Cagle, Nick Ruland 6-10-1
1981
1982
1983
SERIES RECORDS
ALL-TIME SCORES
1921
1922 (5-3)
1928 (2-4)
1932 (5-3-1)
Steve Harrick 18-18 T Waynesburg
1937 (4-4)
Albert Gwynne
1929 (3-3) Steve
1923 (6-2)
W Western Reserve
W Washington & Jefferson
1933 (6-2)
Denny Myers
1938 (5-3)
Albert Gwynne 17-13 W Waynesburg 4.5-21.5 L Ohio State 15.5-10.5 W Case 7.5-20.5 L Waynesburg 6-26 L Kansas State 22-10 W Temple 18-14 W Washington & Jefferson 34.5-1.5 W Pitt
1934 (4-2-1)
Denny Myers
1939 (1-4)
Albert
1930 (5-3) Steve
1935 (5-3)
Albert Gwynne
1931 (4-5) Steve
1936 (7-0)
Albert Gwynne 17-13 W Waynesburg
1940 (2-4)
Albert Gwynne 8-28 L Washington & Lee 12.5-18.5 L Findlay 5-25 L Michigan State 33-5 W Washington & Jefferson 15-21 L Temple 17-11 W Case
1941 (1-5)
Albert Gwynne 8-26 L Washington & Lee 5-35 L Navy 8-26 L Kent State 16-20 L Temple 23-11 W Waynesburg 10-22 L Case
1926
1942 (1-6)
Albert Gwynne
1943-1946 No wrestling (WWII)
1947 (0-4)
Albert Gwynne 0-38 L Waynesburg
1951 (3-5)
Steve Harrick
L NC State
W Ohio 38-0 W Western Reserve
W Indiana, Pa.
L Virginia Tech 9-15 L VMI 6-18 L Pitt 11-18 L Virginia 5th at Southern Conference Championships
1952 (7-2)
Steve Harrick 12-14 L Maryland
28-0 W VMI 17-9 W Virginia Tech
21-3 W North Carolina
30-0 W NC State 18-6 W Ohio 16-10 W Washington & Lee
3-25 L Pitt 20-6 W Virginia 2nd at Southern Conference Championships
1955 (4-2)
Steve Harrick
25-10 W Case 19-13 W VMI
24-6 W Indiana, Pa. 13-15 L Virginia Tech
21-13 W Washington & Lee 5-26 L Pitt 2nd at Southern Conference Championships 12th at NCAA Championships
1956 (1-6-1)
Steve Harrick 24-8 W Case 13-19 L Indiana, Pa. 16-18 L VMI 14-14 T Washington & Lee 10-21 L Franklin & Marshall 3-33 L Navy 8-26 L Virginia Tech 0-32 L Pitt 4th at Southern Conference Championships
1959
(9-2)
Steve Harrick
W Fairmont State
W Indiana, Pa.
W Rochester Tech.
L Bowling Green
W Hiram 23-11 W California, Pa. 18-8 W VMI 19-8 W North Carolina 22-8 W Washington & Lee 11-15 L Kent State
27-3 W Fairmont State 1st at Southern Conference Championships
1960 (9-2)
Steve Harrick
28-6 W Baltimore
20-6 W Indiana, Pa. 9-17 L Bowling Green
25-9 W Fairmont State
29-5 W California. Pa. 17-13 W Kent State 24-10 W VMI 21-11 W Fairmont State
1948 (0-7)
Steve
1949 (4-3)
1950 (7-1)
1953 (6-2)
Steve Harrick 16-11 W Case 12-16 L Maryland 19-11 W VMI 19-9 W Virginia Tech
26-7 W NC State
29-5 W North Carolina 17-9 W Washington & Lee
2-27 L Pitt 2nd at Southern Conference Championships 12th at NCAA Championships
1954 (5-4)
Steve Harrick
28-6 W Western Reserve 19-10 W Maryland 13-17 L VMI
9-15 L Purdue
27-3 W Virginia Tech
27-5 W North Carolina
16-12 W Washington & Lee
0-30 L Pitt 13-14 L Waynesburg 1st at Southern Conference Championships
1957
(5-6)
Steve Harrick 8-26 L Indiana, Pa. 3-29 L VMI 22-10 W Baltimore 32-0 W Fairmont State 10-24 L Kent State 26-7 W Hiram 3-31 L Virginia Tech 10-26 L Franklin & Marshall 17-15 W Washington & Lee 26-6 W Fairmont State 0-30 L Shippensburg 4th at Southern Conference Championships
1958 (6-4)
Steve Harrick 32-0 W Fairmont State 13-15 L Indiana, Pa. 14-11 W Shippensburg 15-19 L Baltimore 11-16 L Northern Illinois 20-8 W VMI 25-3 W Washington & Lee 26-5 W
27-3 W Washington & Lee 9-21 L Ohio State
26-5 W North Carolina 3rd at Southern Conference Championships
1961 (9-3)
Steve Harrick
18-8 W A Baltimore 21-9 W H Indiana, Pa. 4-39 L H Penn State 19-13 W A California, Pa.
22-10 W A VMI
18-6 W N The Citadel 27-3 W A Davidson
25-8 W H Fairmont State 5-22 L H Virginia Tech
27-2 W H Washington & Lee 8-20 L H Ohio State
25-3 W H Fairmont State 3rd at Southern Conference Championships
1963 (10-3
1965 (9-3-1)
1969 (9-3)
1972 (10-5)
George
1970 (4-6)
1966 (4-8)
1973 (8-7)
1971 (11-4-1)
1964 (11-3)
1967
1974 (7-7-1)
1968 (8-3-1)
1975 (9-5)
Fred Liechti
24-18 W H Indiana, Pa.
43-4 W A Malone
28-6 W A Glenville State
12-27 W A Waynesburg
33-15 W H Morgan State
15-21 L H Towson State
11-23 L H Fairmont State
0-42 L A Pitt
19-14 W A Marshall
20-24 L H West Liberty
29-12 W A Pitt-Johnstown
5-36 L A Slippery Rock
27-16 W A California, Pa.
45-0 W A Frostburg
1976 (14-5)
Fred Liechti
18-21 L A Indiana, Pa.
42-9 W N Howard
39-3 W N Malone
26-14 W A Waynesburg
47-6 W N Anderson
24-18 W N Northern Kentucky
25-16 W A Morehead State
8-30 L H Ohio State
23-17 W N Towson State
42-2 W A Morgan State
11-20 L N Fairmont State
30-11 W A Washington & Jefferson
24-13 W H Marshall
49-0 W H Alderson-Broaddus
6-33 L H Slippery Rock
20-19 W H California, Pa.
11-25 L H Pitt
33-10 W N Youngstown State
24-13 W A West Liberty
1977 (3-17)
Fred Liechti
19-30 L H Indiana, Pa.
8-26 L H Akron
14-22 L A Waynesburg
32-17 W N Pitt-Johnstown
25-19 W H Baltimore
12-25 L H Gettysburg
7-30 L H Edinboro
21-27 L A Cincinnati
2-47 L A Fairmont State 15-30 L A California, Pa. 11-27 L A Marshall
2-39 L A Slippery Rock
12-33 L H George Mason 41-3 W H Howard
6-34 L H Franklin & Marshall
5-35 L H Temple
6-31 L A Youngstown State
2-43 L H Maryland 15-33 L A Pitt
11-34 L A West Liberty
1978 (7-9)
Fred Liechti
20-29 L A Indiana, Pa.
40-9 W A Waynesburg
47-5 W N Howard
51-2 W N Malone
46-2 W N Catonsville
24-25 L N Edinboro
16-18 L N Gettysburg
39-8 W N Cincinnati
20-18 W H California, Pa.
12-36 L H Slippery Rock
29-12 W H Marshall
9-34 L H Princeton
6-34 L H William and Mary
15-21 L H Lycoming
13-29 L A Maryland
3-42 L A Pitt
7th at EWL Championships - WVU’s first year in the EWL
1979 (9-4-2)
Craig Turnbull
35-8 W H Indiana, Pa.
36-6 W N Marietta
26-12 W A Waynesburg
31-11 W N Muskingum
42-9 W H George Mason
20-20 T H Ohio
28-10 W H Akron
6-32 L A Bloomsburg
17-16 W A California, Pa.
27-15 W H Maryland
4-36 L A Clarion State
37-11 W A Marshall
12-30 L H Cleveland State
12-20 L A Lock Haven
21-21 T A Pitt
5th at EWL Championships
5th at Eastern Athletic Association Tournament 42nd at NCAA Championships
1980 (6-10-1)
Craig Turnbull
21-23 L A Indiana, Pa.
28-3 W H California, Pa.
6-35 L A Penn State
15-30 L N Navy
39-9 W N Akron
21-13 W N Illinois
13-29 L A Ohio
41-10 W H West Liberty
36-3 W H Marshall
17-17 T H Shippensburg
9-28 L H Clarion
11-28 L H Bloomsburg
17-21 L H Lock Haven
28-11 W H Pitt
12-30 L A Maryland
11-35 L A Nebraska
9-31 L A Cleveland State
7th at EWL Championships T-66th at NCAA Championships
1981 (12-10)
Craig Turnbull
44-3 W H Indiana, Pa.
25-17 W H Waynesburg
18-23 L H Nebraska
12-24 L N Ohio
20-19 W N Youngstown State
43-6 W N Cincinnati
25-22 W A California, Pa.
35-6 W A East Stroudsburg
16-24 L A Lock Haven
13-28 L N Trenton State
8-33 L A Clarion
32-6 W N Southern Connecticut
23-21 W N Rutgers
6-32 L N Navy
25-16 W A Shippensburg
22-15 W A Pitt
19-25 L H Bloomsburg
13-33 L H Penn State
10-34 L A Kentucky
31-15 W A Marshall
23-20 W H Maryland
15-24 L H Cleveland State 5th at EWL Championships
1982 (10-9)
Craig Turnbull
42-3 W A Indiana, Pa.
31-6 W A Waynesburg
17-27 L H Clarion
6-37 L H Kentucky
12-30 L H Northern Iowa
31-9 W H Ohio
13-23 L A Maryland 14-30 L A Navy
41-5 W H Shippensburg
23-15 W A Millersville
23-12 W H California, Pa. 8-40 L H Lock Haven
20-19 W H Pitt
3-38 L N Bloomsburg
33-12 W N Kutztown
36-12 W N East Stroudsburg
35-13 W H Marshall 6-34 L A Penn State
13-23 L A Cleveland State 8th at EWL Championships
1983 (6-9)
Craig Turnbull
19-18 W A Kentucky
17-23 L A Clarion
40-6 W H Waynesburg
12-23 L A Pitt
28-15 W H Shippensburg
20-19 W H Millersville
17-22 L A California, Pa.
10-31 L A Lock Haven
13-29 L H Maryland
20-19 W H Bloomsburg
3-39 L H Navy
16-22 L A Ohio
6-46 L H Penn State
27-22 W H West Liberty
11-36 L H Cleveland State 7th at EWL Championships
1984 (8-8)
Craig Turnbull
30-15 W A Waynesburg
10-21 L H Clarion
17-20 L H Arizona State
21-18 W H Pitt
19-18 W A Shippensburg
39-9 W A Millersville
60-0 W H Ohio
18-20 L A Maryland 11-33 L A Navy
30-11 W A Indiana, Pa. 9-33 L A Bloomsburg
49-0 W H California, Pa. 12-27 L A Lock Haven 9-34 L A Penn State
39-4 W A West Liberty
17-32 L A Cleveland State 7th at EWL Championships
1985 (13-3)
Craig Turnbull
27-16 W A Edinboro
38-6 W H Waynesburg 15-28 L A Clarion
19-15 W A Pitt
35-7 W N Old Dominion
20-24 L N Iowa State
26-16 W N Appalachian State
32-3 W H Shippensburg
36-9 W H Maryland
47-3 W A California, Pa.
20-13 W H Navy
21-19 W H Lock Haven
20-24 L H Penn State
39-7 W H West Liberty
32-9 W A Cleveland State
40-7 W H Ohio
5th at EWL Championships
43rd at NCAA Championships
1986 (12-7)
Craig Turnbull
42-6 W A Waynesburg
12-30 L H Clarion
13-25 L H Pitt
38-6 W N Old Dominion
0-42 L N Iowa State
28-15 W N Indiana
34-11 W N Virginia
16-23 L N Northern Iowa
30-15 W N Oklahoma
25-17 W A Ohio
36-6 W A Shippensburg
19-20 L A Navy
54-2 W H California, Pa.
21-19 W H Bloomsburg
16-23 L A Lock Haven
9-32 L A Penn State
36-9 W H West Liberty
27-15 W H Cleveland State
23-20 W A Maryland 7th at EWL Championships
1987 (10-6)
Craig Turnbull
39-9 W H Waynesburg
14-21 L A Clarion
18-15 W N Ohio State
15-20 L N Wisconsin
34-9 W N Oregon
13-23 L H Arizona State
48-0 W H Shippensburg
23-11 W H Maryland
41-5 W H Ohio
41-7 W A California, Pa.
15-19 L A Bloomsburg
21-19 W H Lock Haven
13-31 L H Penn State
31-11 W A West Liberty
19-18 W A Cleveland State
16-22 L A Pitt
7th at EWL Championships 40th at NCAA Championships
1988 (10-7)
Craig Turnbull
W A Waynesburg
20-15 W H Clarion 7-33 L N Edinboro
W N Maryland
W N Syracuse 26-14 W N Clarion
10-25 L A Ohio State
38-11 W H California, Pa.
12-22 L A Navy
21-15 W H Pitt-Johnstown
26-9 W A Ohio
13-24 L H Bloomsburg
17-24 L A Lock Haven
16-24 L A Penn State
15-20 L H Cleveland State
44-6 W H West Liberty
25-11 W H Pitt
7th at EWL Championships T-22nd at NCAA Championships
1989 (7-7)
Craig Turnbull
44-2 W H Waynesburg
13-25 L A Clarion
6-34 L N Arizona State
35-12 W N Ohio
34-7 W A California, Pa.
25-12 W A Pitt-Johnstown
26-15 W H Navy
16-19 L A Bloomsburg
14-22 L H Edinboro
12-29 L H Lock Haven
9-26 L H Penn State
14-18 L A Cleveland State
28-6 W A West Liberty
19-17 W A Pitt
8th at EWL Championships T-54th at NCAA Championships
1990 (14-1)
Craig Turnbull
52-3 W A Waynesburg
26-13 W H Clarion
43-0 W H Boise State
27-8 W A Ohio
34-3 W H California, Pa.
39-4 W H Pitt-Johnstown
19-12 W N Navy
17-25 L N Arizona State
22-11 W H Bloomsburg
25-13 W A Lock Haven
20-13 W H Penn State
31-12 W H West Liberty
35-2 W H Cleveland State
29-3 W H Pitt
24-10 W A Edinboro
2nd at EWL Championships 18th at NCAA Championships
1991 (11-5)
Craig Turnbull
23-9 W A Clarion
21-14 W N Indiana*
19-21 L N Nebraska*
35-5 W N Northwestern*
16-23 L N Northern Iowa*
15-20 L N North Carolina*
33-9 W H California, Pa.
53-0 W A Pitt-Johnstown
16-18 L A Navy
40-2 W H Ohio
32-7 W A Bloomsburg
18-21 L H Lock Haven
23-17 W H Penn State
24-15 W A Cleveland State
32-9 W A Pitt
34-10 W H Edinboro
1st at EWL Championships 6th at NCAA Championships * NWCA National Duals
1992 (7-6)
Craig Turnbull 20-13 W H Clarion
17-13 W A Lock Haven
28-13 W H Pitt-Johnstown
W A California, Pa.
W A Ohio 16-19 L H Navy 12-28 L A Penn State 23-21 W H Bloomsburg 9-39 L N Wisconsin 18-25 L N Augsburg 15-21 L H Cleveland State
1993 (7-5)
1994 (6-4)
Craig
State
15-19 L A Edinboro
32-3 W H Pitt
22-16 W A Penn State 3rd at EWL Championships 14th at NCAA Championships
1995 (4-6)
Craig Turnbull
13-25 L A Clarion
15-27 L H Iowa State 9-24 L A Navy
31-11 W A Bloomsburg 21-20 W A Ohio 7-28 L H Lock Haven 23-15 W A Cleveland State 15-23 L H Edinboro 10-26 L A Pitt 18-14 W H Penn State 5th at EWL Championships T-39th at NCAA Championships
1996 (7-5-1)
Craig Turnbull
33-3 W H Ohio
10-24 L H Nebraska 25-10 W H Bloomsburg
19-19 T H Clarion 15-28 L N Oklahoma State 15-22 L N Pitt
30-9 W N Duquesne
42-12 W N Franklin & Marshall 17-20 L A Lock Haven
30-6 W H Cleveland State 25-15 W A Edinboro 19-13 W H Pitt 16-20 L A Penn State 1st at EWL Championships 26th at NCAA Championships
1997 (4-6)
Craig Turnbull
12-25 L A Nebraska
22-15 W A Ohio State
25-14 W A Clarion
15-22 L H Navy
16-23 L A Bloomsburg 19-18 W H Lock Haven
42-3 W A Cleveland State
13-27 L H Edinboro 17-18 L A Pitt
16-22 L H Ohio 4th at EWL Championships 27th at NCAA Championships
1998 (11-3-1)
Craig
2001 (4-9)
2004 (9-5)
Craig Turnbull 22-14 W N Stanford
15-22 L N Missouri
L N Penn*
W H Clarion
W H Pitt 39-13 W A Virginia Tech 29-10 W H Lock Haven
23-22 W A Ohio
13-25 L A Edinboro
27-12 W A Cleveland State
T-1st at EWL Championships T-16th at NCAA Championships * National Duals
1999 (7-4)
2002 (12-2)
Craig Turnbull 16-24 L A Iowa State
W H Clarion 23-15 W A Penn State
L A Ohio State
W H Bloomsburg 31-21 W H Nebraska 44-3 W H Virginia 26-6 W H Buffalo
19-12 W H Lock Haven
29-9 W A Virginia Tech
32-2 W H Pitt
23-15 W A Ohio
19-14 W A Cleveland State 31-3 W A Edinboro
1st at EWL Championships 13th at NCAA Championships
2000 (6-4-1)
2003 (9-3)
Craig Turnbull
W H Iowa State
L H Ohio State
W A Bloomsburg 18-20 L N Oklahoma* 15-20 L N Minnesota* 22-14 W A Clarion 31-8 W A Lock Haven 36-12 W H Virginia Tech
29-8 W A Pitt
23-9 W H Ohio
19-14 W H Edinboro
25-16 W H Cleveland State
2nd at EWL Championships 17th at NCAA Championships * National Duals
2007 (5-5) Craig
2008 (8-5-0)
2005 (5-6-1)
Craig Turnbull 15-20 L A Nebraska 12-34 L A
2009 (8-4-2)
2006 (6-6)
2010 (3-10-0)
Craig Turnbull
18-19 L N Wyoming *
15-23 L N Illinois *
12-33 L H Penn State
9-29 L H Indiana
9-24 L A Michigan State
3-39 L A Lehigh
14-20 L H Clarion
21-18 W H Bloomsburg
32-12 W H Lock Haven
15-19 L H Pitt
15-27 L A Ohio
34-11 W A Cleveland State ^
6-29 L A Edinboro
5th at EWL Championships
T-47th at NCAA Championships
* Sprawl & Brawl Meet (Vestal, N.Y.)
^ Saint Clairsville, Ohio
2011 (9-6-0
Craig Turnbull
24-12 W N Liberty*
13-27 L A Maryland*
38-3 W N Johns Hopkins
41-0 W N Sacred Heart^
14-25 L N Rutgers^
3-40 L N Penn State^
18-15 W A Illinois
18-21 L H Michigan State
19-12 W A Bloomsburg
39-4 W A Clarion
33-5 W A Lock Haven
14-21 L A Pitt
24-13 W H Ohio
15-22 L H Edinboro
46-0 W H Cleveland State
2nd at EWL Championships
51st at NCAA Championships
* Terrapin Duals (College Park, Md.)
^ Sprawl & Brawl (Vestal, N.Y.)
2012 (9-4-0)
Craig Turnbull
48-0 W N Johns Hopkins*
41-0 W N Franklin & Marshall*
6-34 L A Penn State
15-22 L H Maryland
23-12 W A Michigan State
10-25 L H Bloomsburg
23-20 W H Clarion
28-12 W H Lock Haven
21-18 W A Rutgers
12-26 L H Pitt
36-3 W A Ohio
18-17 W A Edinboro
36-6 W A Cleveland State
3rd at EWL Championships
43rd at NCAA Championships
* Terrapin Duals (College Park, Md.
2013 (2-13-0)
Craig Turnbull
43-0 W N Johns Hopkins*
10-24 L A Maryland*
3-44 L H Penn State
15-19 L A Lock Haven
3-36 L A Oklahoma State
14-25 L A Oklahoma
10-26 L H Rutgers
3-30 L H Iowa State
9-31 L A Pitt
9-29 L H Ohio
9-29 L H Edinboro
18-15 W A Clarion
0-57 L A Oklahoma State#
9-33 L N Oklahoma#
3-45 L N Iowa State#
4th at Big 12 Championship
T-63rd at NCAA Championships
* Terrapin Duals (College Park, Md.) #Big 12 Duals
2014 (11-7-0)
Craig Turnbull
24-14 W N Gardner-Webb #
46-0 W N Anderson #
41-6 L A Virginia #
34-6 W N Midland
22-12 L A Iowa State*
25-8 W N Drexel !
38-3 W N VMI !
27-3 W N SIUE !
22-21 W A Indiana !
35-4 W N Northern Colorado ! 18-12 W H Lock Haven
30-6 L H Oklahoma State*
33-6 L H Pitt
19-15 L H Oklahoma*
45-0 W H Davidson
28-7 W H Clarion
26-19 L A Ohio
29-6 L A Edinboro
4th at Big 12 Championship T-61st at NCAA Championships #UVA Duals ! Hoosier Duals *Big 12 Conference
2015 (9-9-0)
Sammie Henson
13-19 L H Arizona State
17-18 L N Northern Illinois ! 16-19 L N Rutgers !
9-26 L N #3 Cornell ! 23-12 W A Lock Haven
42-0 W A Grand Canyon
22-12 W A Arizona State
21-19 W N Chattanooga ^ 16-21 L N #14 Edinboro ^ 19-15 W N #25 Bucknell ^ 21-10 W N Arizona State ^
3-35 L A #8 Oklahoma State *
13-25 L A Oklahoma *
26-9 W A Clarion
7-29 L H #8 Iowa State
19-16 W H Ohio
9-25 L H #14 Edinboro
24-14 W A #18 Pitt 4th at Big 12 Championship 20th at NCAA Championships ! Journeymen/Asics Northeast Duals
^ Virginia Duals * Big 12 Conference
2016 (8-10)
Sammie Henson
26-7 W H Drexel ^ 26-14 W H Campbell ^ 22-14 W H Arizona State^ 12-21 L N #3 Michigan % 19-13 W N Buffalo % 9-23 L N #20 Oregon State % 30-3 W H Lock Haven 3-38 L H #5 Oklahoma State* 11-23 L H #9 Oklahoma* 17-18 L A Arizona State 15-20 L A Stanford 3-32 L A #10 Virginia Tech 9-24 L H #3 NC State
18-12 W H #17 Pitt 15-18 L A #24 South Dakota State* 11-28 L A #16 Iowa State* 30-6 W H Clarion
18-14 W A Edinboro
6th at Big 12 Championship 47th at NCAA Championships ^ Mountaineer Quad
% Jorneymen/Asics Northeast Duals * Big 12 Conference
2017 (4-13)
Sammie Henson 17-29 L H Campbell ^ 11-25 L H Ohio^
6-42 L A #7 Nebraska
15-23 L A #23 Pitt
4-36 L N #6 Virginia Tech
18-19 L A Cal Poly
18-19 L A CSU Bakersfield
22-20 W N Binghamton%
6-28 L N Rider%
32-9 W N Harvard%
3-38 L A #1 Oklahoma State*
6-37 L A #14 Oklahoma*
9-30 L A #8 N.C. State
9-32 L H #16 South Dakota State*
22-20 W H Iowa State*
10-27 L H Edinboro
22-10 W A Clarion
7th at Big 12 Championship T-57th at NCAA Championships ^ Mountaineer Quad % Pitt Duals * Big 12 Conference
2018 (6-7)
Sammie Henson
9-24 L N Utah Valley* ^ 13-28 L H #13 Nebraska
24-10 W H #25 Pitt
6-30 L A #10 Virginia Tech
24-12 W H #18 Oklahoma*
19-12 W H #25 North Dakota State* 6-29 L A #5 Oklahoma State* 17-25 L A Iowa State*
19-18 W A Air Force*
24-16 W A Northern Colorado*
9-24 L H #12 South Dakota State* 15-21 L A Edinboro
25-13 W H Clarion
9th at Big 12 Championship
30th at NCAA Championships ^ Clarion, Pa. * Big 12 Conference
2019 (4-14)
Tim Flynn
22-14 W H Northern Colorado*
15-20 L A #9 Cornell
19-27 L H #14 Northern Iowa*
3-37 L A #24 Pitt
9-24 L H No.14 Virginia Tech
13-26 L N Virginia^
16-23 L N Michigan State^
19-17 W N #20 North Dakota State*^
20-23 L N #13 Purdue^
17-26 L A Oklahoma
10-26 L A #9 NC State
3-40 L H #3 Oklahoma State*
3-36 L H #16 Iowa State*
21-16 W N CSU Bakersfield
26-13 W A Utah Valley*
15-33 L A #11 Wyoming*
10-28 L H Army
9-25 L A South Dakota State*
9th at Big 12 Championship
43rd at NCAA Championships
^ South Beach Duals (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) * Big 12 Conference
2020 (4-12)
Tim Flynn
10-31 L A Northern Colorado*
4-35 L A #24 Army
6-29 L H #10 Pitt
11-24 L H Buffalo
13-20 L N Ohio 34-8 W H VMI & 38-0 W H Hofstra & 22-9 W H Edinboro & 3-36 L A #4 Virginia Tech
9-37 L A #9 Oklahoma State*
18-22 L A Oklahoma*
15-29 L H South Dakota State*
6-36 L A #16 Northern Iowa*
6-34 L A #19 Iowa State*
17-16 W H Wyoming*
19-20 L H Utah Valley*
10th at Big 12 Championship & Mountaineer Quad
^ NCAA Championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic * Big 12 Conference
2021 (7-3)
Tim Flynn
22-9 W H Kent State &
36-3 W H Ohio & 10-24 L H #8 Virginia Tech & 29-3 W H Bucknell
9-21 L H #19 Oklahoma*
18-15 W A Cleveland State
25-11 W H #17 Northern Colorado*
12-21 L A Wyoming*
37-3 W N Fresno State*
20-17 W N Air Force* 9th at Big 12 Championship 31st at NCAA Championships & Mountaineer Quad * Big 12 Conference
2022 (6-8)
Tim Flynn
28-10 L H #17 Oklahoma*
34-3 W A Davidson
34-6 L A #5 NC State
30-9 L A Ohio
40-3 W H Glenville State
36-3 W A VMI
25-12 W H Chattanooga
24-10 W H Cleveland State
23-16 L A #23 South Dakota State*
39-9 L A North Dakota State*
31-9 L A #5 Iowa State*
31-10 L A #22 Northern Iowa*
21-16 W H Utah Valley*
25-11 L H Wyoming*
7th at Big 12 Championship 32nd at NCAA Championships * Big 12 Conference
2023 (10-5)
Tim Flynn
37-9 W H Glenville State ^
40-3 W H Edinboro ^ 25-15 W H Northern Colorado* ^
38-3 L A #4 Missouri*
48-6 W H Fairmont State
28-9 W H Ohio
24-11 W A #21 Pitt
22-16 W A Chattanooga
18-15 L A Oklahoma*
28-7 L A #12 Oklahoma State*
20-13 L H #3 Iowa State*
20-12 L H #14 Northern Iowa*
20-18 W H RV Air Force*
24-18 W H Clarion
34-9 W A Lock Haven 12th at Big 12 Championship 34th at NCAA Championships
* Big 12 Conference
^ Mountainer Quad
2024 (10-5)
Tim Flynn
44-3 W H Kent State ^
33-9 W H Clevend State ^ 40-6 W H Duke ^ 31-7 W A Clarion 21-19 L H #18 Oklahoma* 27-11 W A Air Force* 31-9 W A RV Northern Colorado* 56-0 W H Fairmont State
22-21 W N Columbia $
29-9 L H #5 Oklahoma State* 30-6 L H #2 Missouri* 40-3 W A Morgan State 29-11 L A #4 Iowa State* 26-12 L A #18 Northrn Iowa* 42-3 W H Glenville State # 6th at Big 12 Championship 17th at NCAA Championships
* Big 12 Conference
$ Battle on the Boardwalk (Atlantic City, N.J.) #Beauty & the Beast
^ Mountainer Quad
2025 (10-7)
Tim Flynn
35-10 W H Glenville State
31-9 W A Rider
37-8 W A Appalachian State 15-18 L N California Baptist ^ * 22-21 W N North Dakota State $ *
25-13 W N Wisconsin $ 31-12 W N Campbell $ 27-12 W A Princeton
18-24 L H #13 Iowa State * 17-25 L H #18 PItt * 22-13 W A #20 Oklahoma * 12-30 L A #3 Oklahoma State * 16-22 L A #23 Missouri * 10-29 L H #5 Northern Iowa * 26-12 W A Utah Valley * 18-19 L A Wyoming * 24-13 W H Arizona State * 6th at Big 12 Championship T-18th at NCAA Championships ^ Oak Glen High School in New Cumberland, W.Va. $ Knockout Christmas Classic in Kissimmee, Fla. * Big 12 Conference
NCAA CHAMPIONS
SCOTT COLLINS
CLEARFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA
1991 » 142 POUNDS
Ranked No. 1 in the nation all season, Scott Collins became WVU’s first national champion in 1991 after posting a stellar 40-1 senior season. Collins went undefeated in EWL action as a senior. In fact, he set WVU’s then-all-time consecutive wins streak with 23-straight victories, including five straight at the NCAA Tournament.
As a member of WVU’s nationally ranked 14-1 team and EWL regular season dual meet champions, Collins turned in an outstanding career; at the time, he was tied for first on WVU’s all-time career wins list with a 119-34-4 record. The three-time NCAA qualifier was the EWL champion as a senior. Collins went on to lead the Mountaineers to a sixth-place national finish.
For his efforts, Collins was named co-EWL Wrestler of the Year and is ranked second in EWL history for most dual wins by a 142-pounder. Collins helped the team win two EWL titles.
“He started as a true freshman and competed very successfully. Every year, he was someone who was capable of placing in the national tournament and competing to be in the finals. It never happened for him. It really drew upon him to have some strength of character to not lower his goals and continue to have that dream and goal that he wanted to be a national champion.
“When we went to Iowa, he was the No. 1 seed and worked himself to the finals. To be in the finals after not placing before is unusual and he found himself wrestling an Iowa wrestler in the finals while we were competing at Iowa. He probably had about 12-13,000 people getting ready to cheer against him. It wasn’t that normal progression of placing several times and really having that seasoned feeling once you got your shot in the finals. I think it took a lot of his internal strength and focus. The match was one of the better ones that evening and it came down to a 6-6 score with 30 seconds left. Scott was the one who scored the winning takedown. It was a very dramatic moment for him and a significant moment for the program. To me, it was a very significant coming-of-age moment for the program.” – Coach Craig Turnbull
DEAN MORRISON
AMITYVILLE, NEW YORK
1994 » 177 POUNDS »
Dean Morrison entered the 1994 NCAA Championships with a sevenmatch win streak and finished the tournament with five-straight wins, plus a national championship, WVU’s second-ever. Ranked No. 2 heading into the tournament, Morrison defeated three ranked opponents to make the finals. He defeated Wyoming’s Reese Andy 3-2 in the finals and finished the season by winning 22 of 23 matches.
Morrison posted a 33-3 record his senior season, which tied him for fifth on the all-time senior wins list at WVU, a ranking he still holds today. Those 33 wins also tied him for most wins by a 177-pounder and put him at 10th on WVU’s top season list. It was his second straight 30-win season.
Two of his losses came to future Olympian Les Gutches of Oregon State at the Las Vegas Invitational and the NWCA All-Star Classic.
Morrison won his third consecutive EWL championship in 1994, the first Mountaineer to accomplish the feat. During the season, Morrison won the Navy Classic and Great Plains Invitational and placed second at the WVU Open and the Las Vegas Invitational.
He ranks sixth on WVU’s all-time wins list with a 103-32-2 record.
“Dean is a great success story. He had never won a New York state title. I believe he placed once, but he never placed in a national tournament. He was a very average student out of high school. When he applied to the university – we were recruiting him out of high school – he was denied admission. We took him to a committee to appeal that and they decided to give Dean an opportunity.
Dean worked hard enough. It took a while and he had to go at a slow pace. He graduated in engineering, and when he left the university, he was a three-time Eastern Wrestling League champion and an NCAA champion.
“Dean, being an engineering major and an NCAA champion, were equally as unlikely, so it was a testament really to his ability to set goals that were outside his reach when no one believed they were possible and make them a reality.” –
Coach Craig Turnbull
GREG JONES
SLICKVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
THREE-TIME CHAMPION
2002 » 174 POUNDS
2004 » 184 POUNDS
2005 » 84 POUNDS
2005 » 184 POUNDS
Greg Jones capped off one of the greatest collegiate wrestling careers in NCAA history by becoming just the 39th wrestler to ever win three national championships. He also became the first wrestler from the Eastern Wrestling League to ever win the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler title.
Jones, a Slickville, Pennsylvania, native took home his third championship with a 5-3 decision against Cornell’s Tyler Baier. Jones dazzled the 16,302 fans in attendance at the Savvis Center. He jumped out to a 2-0 lead and then extended it to 5-1 before Baier earned two points late in the period.
The match concluded the story of WVU’s greatest wrestler, as Jones left with a 126-4 career record. In 2004-05, he outscored his opponents, 298-82, and was taken down just 10 times in 130 career matches.
For the second-consecutive season, Jones finished 2004-05 with an undefeated season. Only Oklahoma State’s Steve Mocco and Jones finished the year undefeated.
2004
» 184 POUNDS
Jones turned in one of the finest individual seasons by a WVU wrestler in school history, going a perfect 26-0. He also became the first Mountaineer to win multiple national titles with his 184-pound championship in St. Louis.
Jones posted his third victory of the tournament over Ben Heizer of Northern Illinois and won his second crown, 10-5, in front of 15,081 fans at the Savvis Center. Jones’ performance was so dominant that he did not give up an offensive point during the entire 2004 NCAA Tournament, going 5-0.
He opened the season by winning the prestigious Midlands Classic title in late December. Jones’ unblemished start led to WVU’s first undefeated season.
He won his third-consecutive EWL crown, leading the Mountaineers to a share of the 2004 EWL Championship title. His 7-0 record in league contests earned him the EWL Points Champion award. Jones was then named the EWL Wrestler of the Year for the second time in his career.
2002 » 174 POUNDS
It will long be remembered as one of the greatest accomplishments in West Virginia history. Greg Jones became just the 10th freshman since 1970 to win a national championship.
Coming off a tiebreaker win over Edinboro’s Josh Koscheck in the EWL finals, Jones entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 2 seed. Jones showed two losses entering the tournament, one of them coming to top-seeded Otto Olson of Michigan and the other coming by way of injury
default, meaning that the last time Jones was outscored in a match was Dec. 1.
Although he battled nerves in his first appearance at the NCAA Championships in Albany, New York, he quickly got into a comfort zone. He won by scores of 17-10, 8-3, 10-4, 15-5 and 12-5 and was not taken down after the first round.
In the finals, Jones went up against Greg Parker of Princeton. Jones scored the first takedown of the match and dictated the tempo from there. Parker was no match for Jones’ speed and strength, and Jones went on to the title.
“Greg was given advice often that ‘you should probably go somewhere else because you don’t want to be in the shadow of your brother (Vertus). How are you going to match what he accomplished? He won four EWL titles, was in the NCAA finals twice and was third the other time.’
“I think having an older brother is a tremendous help. His title match in the EWL Championships as a freshman was against a defending national champion from Edinboro. It was an overtime win, and I think it provided Greg with a lot of confidence going into the national tournament. He really took it one match at a time and wrestled a very confident semifinal match and made the finals as a freshman. It really was a credit to Greg and also his background, family support and brothers’ support.
“People, when they look at a career like Greg’s, they just think he did really well and everything came easy. There were tremendous challenges, especially coming from that second season and going into the next two, learning the things that he needed to from that year and coming back with a new perspective of what he had to bring to the practice and his preparation. He won the next two and was named the Outstanding Wrestler his senior year. In the three national tournaments that he won, he was only scored on once with offensive points and that was his first match – as a freshman, he gave a takedown up and was never scored on again offensively. I think historians will put Greg into a category of one of the greatest wrestlers in NCAA history.” – Coach Craig Turnbull
ALL-AMERICANS
JIMMIE COX
1929 • 135 pounds
Wheeling, West Virginia
The first WVU wrestler to attain All-America honors, Jimmie Cox, placed third at the 1929 NCAA Championships at Ohio State. Cox won three matches at 135 pounds in guiding West Virginia to a ninth-place team finish.
ROBERT PERRY
1955 • 115 pounds
Grove City, Pennsylvania
Robert Perry was one of two Mountaineers to earn All-America honors in 1955 at Cornell. Perry won his opening round match, via fall, over Syracuse’s Don Clark at 115 pounds. He won two more matches before taking fourth-place honors to become WVU’s second All-American.
LEWIS GUIDI
1955 • 123 pounds
McMurray, Pennsylvania
Mountaineer Lewis “Lou” Guidi was the second WVU wrestler to earn All-America status at the 1955 NCAA Championships with a second-place finish. WVU’s 123-pounder posted a 4-1 record before falling in the championship match to Pitt’s Ed Peery. Guidi’s runner-up finish, along with teammate Robert Perry’s fourth-place result, pushed West Virginia to a 12th-place team finish. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
MARK CAGLE
1979 • 134 pounds
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Mark Cagle placed eighth out of 32 competitors at the 1979 NCAA Championships at Iowa State. Wrestling at 134 pounds, the sophomore posted a 21-5 record, with all five losses coming to grapplers who also had qualified for NCAAs, including eventual national champion Darryl Burley of Lehigh. Cagle became the Mountaineers’ fourth All-American.
JIM AKERLY
1987 • 150 pounds
Erie, Pennsylvania
West Virginia’s fifth All-American wrestler, Jim Akerly, brought the program national publicity with his back-to-back national rankings (ranked No. 3 as a sophomore and a junior). The first Mountaineer invited to participate in the East-West All-Star Classic, Akerly collected more wins (119) than any
previous WVU grappler, leading the Mountaineers to four-consecutive top-20 finishes. During his four-year association with the Mountaineer wrestling program, Akerly was a driving force behind a 45-23 team record. The Erie, Pennsylvania, native earned All-America status in 1987 at the NCAA Championships at Maryland, where he finished eighth at 150 pounds.
MICHAEL CARR
1988 • 158 pounds
Erie, Pennsylvania
Wrestling only one season at WVU, Michael Carr, an Iowa State transfer, set a Mountaineer record at the time for most takedowns in a season with 70. Posting 39 wins, Carr became West Virginia’s second Eastern Wrestling League individual champion. He also won titles at the Navy Turkey Bowl, Hoosier Invitational and the WVU Open. Carr earned All-America honors for his seventh-place finish in the 158-pound weight class at the 1988 NCAA Championships at Iowa.
MARK BANKS
1990, 1991 • 167 pounds
York, Pennsylvania
Wrestling for West Virginia from 1990-91, Mark Banks was one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Mountaineer history. Banks earned back-to-back fifth-place finishes at the NCAA Tournament in 1990 and 1991 at 167 pounds to become the Mountaineers’ first two-time All-American. Banks, who competed in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic in 1991, also won consecutive 167-pound EWL titles with the Mountaineers, West Virginia’s first two-time league titlist. Throughout his four-year career, which included two years at Bloomsburg, Banks compiled a 22-1 record in EWL dual matches. During his stay in Morgantown, Banks never lost a league match in 13 decisions, helping WVU win two league titles and earn a sixth-place finish at the 1991 NCAA Championships.
DOMINIC BLACK
1991 • 177 pounds
Lexington, Kentucky
Enjoying a banner collegiate career with the Mountaineers, Dominic Black finished as one of only five wrestlers in school history at the time to amass more than 100 career victories. Black capped his career with stellar seasons in 1990 and 1991. As a junior, he went 33-5 to establish a record for wins in a season by a Mountaineer 177-pounder, won an EWL title and competed in his second-consecutive NCAA Tournament. The following year, Black posted a 39-win season (third-best in school history), earned his second-consecutive EWL title and had a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. In 1995, Black became the first West Virginia wrestler to ever represent the United States in an international event, as he won a gold medal in the 198-pound weight class at the World Cup of Freestyle. In 1999, Black made the U.S. World Wrestling Team. He won a national title and was a gold medalist at the 1999 Pan-American Games. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
SCOTT COLLINS
1991 • 142 pounds
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Scott Collins was one of the greatest wrestlers in West Virginia history. The two-time EWL finalist became the first Mountaineer to win a national title when he claimed first-place honors at the 1991 NCAA Championships at Iowa City. By becoming the EWL’s 12th national champion, Collins was named co-EWL Wrestler of the Year. The 142-pounder also captured the 1991 EWL title. Collins, who went undefeated in EWL action during his national title season in 1991, ranked second in EWL history for most dual wins by a 142-pounder. Collins finished his career as the school’s all-time wins leader, helping the Mountaineers win two EWL titles. Collins registered a sixth-place finish at the 1991 NCAA Championships. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.
DOUG TAYLOR
1993 • 158 pounds
Milesburg, Pennsylvania
Making his first NCAA appearance, Doug Taylor became West Virginia’s seventh All-American at the 1993 NCAA Championships in Ames, Iowa. Taylor, who battled an injury-plagued season, finished fifth at 158 pounds. Taylor lost a controversial overtime decision in the semifinals, trying to become only the second Mountaineer wrestler to reach the NCAA final round. Taylor advanced to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of his secondplace finish at the EWL Championships.
DEAN MORRISON
1994 • 177 pounds
Amityville, New York
In 1994, Dean Morrison concluded his outstanding career by becoming the second West Virginia wrestler to win an NCAA title. Morrison defeated Wyoming’s Reese Andy in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to claim national supremacy and lead the Mountaineers to a 14th-place team finish. During
his career, Morrison became the first wrestler in school history to win three Eastern Wrestling League titles (1992-94) and just the fourth to win more than 100 career matches (103). Named the 1994 EWL Wrestler of the Year, Morrison competed in the prestigious National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic in Pittsburgh. Morrison’s 33 wins in 1994 also tied him with Dominic Black for the most wins by a Mountaineer 177-pounder in a season.
JOHN KOSS
1997 • 177 pounds
Collingswood, New Jersey
A powerful wrestler, John Koss became the first four-time NCAA qualifier in WVU history. Koss capped off a brilliant campaign by advancing to the semifinals of the 1997 NCAA Championships. He recorded an impressive 87 wins as a Mountaineer, which was seventh best at the time in school history. Koss wrestled to an 8-0 dualmeet record at 177 pounds his senior season to top off a career 23 wins in the EWL. After his first NCAA appearance as a freshman, Koss was named a fifthteam selection to the Amateur Wrestling News’ all-rookie team.
MIKE MASON
1997, 1998 • 150 pounds
Williamstown, West Viginia
Mike Mason is remembered as one of the most diligent and hard-working wrestlers in the history of the program. The second WVU wrestler to be a two-time All-American – both at 150 pounds – and the first All-American from the state of West Virginia, Mason earned his first All-America honors in 1997 when he was seeded eighth and wrestled to the quarterfinal round. He posted a 35-5 record his junior year, including a 10-0 dual meet record. As a senior, Mason advanced to the NCAA semifinals, losing a controversial double-overtime decision, then came back to win two hard-fought matches and finish third for his second All-America honor. He competed in the NWCA All-Star Classic, won an EWL title and was the fifth WVU wrestler to reach 100 career wins.
IAN “WHITEY” CHEBLOVE
1998, 1999 • 134, 141 pounds
Northampton, Pennsylvania
A dangerous force at 134 pounds his junior year and 141 pounds his senior year, Whitey Chlebove became a two-time All-American with his seventhplace finish at the 1998 NCAA Championships in Cleveland and his sixth-place finish at the 1999 NCAA Championships at Penn State. As a senior, Chlebove was ranked as high as fourth nationally during the season. As a junior, he was ranked as high as third. In 1996, Chlebove was one win away from All-America honors with a 3-2 finish at the tournament. After a redshirt season in 1997, he posted a 27-8 record in 1998 to set a WVU record at 134 pounds.
DEAN MORRISON
VERTUS JONES
1998, 1999, 2000 • 184 Pounds
Slickville, Pennsylvania
One of the finest athletes to come through the WVU program, Vertus Jones became the Mountaineers’ first three-time All-American with his second-place finish at the 2000 NCAA Championships in St. Louis. His first All-America honor came with a second-place finish at 177 pounds at the 1998 NCAA Championships in Cleveland. His second All-America honor came with a third-place finish at the 184-pound weight class at the 1999 NCAA Championships at Penn State. As a sophomore, Jones was the youngest of 20 finalists at the 1998 tournament and the youngest in WVU history to reach the NCAA finals. He is the first Mountaineer to be a four-time EWL champion and only the third EWL wrestler to be a four-time champion. He was the second WVU wrestler to win the EWLs as a freshman. Jones posted a stellar 30-2 senior season at 184 pounds, setting the all-time West Virginia consecutive-wins streak at 24 and finishing his career with a 95-21 mark, which was sixth best at the time at WVU.
SAM KLINE
1999 • 174 pounds
Elkins, West Virginia
A master of using his speed and size at 174 pounds, Sam Kline finished third at the 1999 NCAA Championships at Penn State to garner All-America honors, defeating three ranked opponents along the way. Kline capped off a stellar career with a 28-5 senior campaign, finishing with 84 wins to 22 losses. Kline won the 1999 EWL Tournament, the 1997 and 1998 WVU Open, and the 1997 and 1998 Navy Classic. He finished eighth at the 1998 Las Vegas Invitational. During his career, Kline qualified for three NCAA Championships.
GREG JONES
2002, 2004, 2005 • 174 pounds
Slickville, Pennsylvania
Greg Jones became the first Mountaineer to win multiple national titles with his 184-pound championship in St. Louis as a junior. He added to his legacy as a senior after blowing through competition yet again for his third national championship in four years. During his senior year, Jones posted a perfect 25-0 record and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He became just the 20th wrestler in NCAA history to win multiple national titles at different weight classes. As a junior, Jones posted his third victory of the tournament over Ben Heizer of Northern Illinois in winning his second crown, 10-5. Jones’ performance was so dominant that he did not give up an offensive point during the entire 2004 NCAA Tournament, going 5-0. In one of the most remarkable performances in the history of West Virginia athletics, freshman Jones cruised through the 174-pound bracket en route to the NCAA Championships. Jones was 34-2 and raked in numerous honors in his rookie campaign. At the NCAA Championships, Jones dominated the field by outscoring his opponents 62-27 and only allowing a takedown in the first round. He defeated Greg Parker of Princeton 12-5 in the finals. A four-time EWL champion, he was twice named EWL Wrestler of the Year and was named the 2004 EWL Points Champion. In 2002, he was the EWL Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler and the EWL Freshman of the Year.
BRANDON LAUER
2003 • 133 Pounds
Highland, Maryland
Despite missing portions of the season to injury, Brandon Lauer fought his way to an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City. Lauer trailed early in his first-round match, but went on to stun fifth-seeded Zach Roberson of Iowa State by pinning him at 4:21. He continued to roll with another fall in the second round, this time finishing off Jason Cuocolo of Sacred Heart in 2:19. After a narrow loss in the championship quarterfinals, Lauer needed one more win to assure himself of All-America status. He seemingly had the match in hand, but a late rally by Tom Clum of Wisconsin forced the match into overtime. Lauer was able to collect himself, finishing off the match with a takedown four seconds into the extra session for the sudden victory. Nursing an ailing knee, Lauer dropped his last two matches to finish eighth in the nation at 133 pounds.
g REg JONES
SAM KLINE
SHANE CUNAHAN
2003 • 141 pounds
Spokane, Washington
Using intensity, determination and superior conditioning, Shane Cunanan willed himself to the national semifinals and All-America honors in 2003. After cruising to a first-round victory, he scored one of the tournament’s biggest upsets at 141 pounds by shocking fifth-seeded Zach Esposito of Oklahoma State, 3-1, in overtime. Cunanan controlled most of the match, but could not convert on several opportunities. Finally, his tireless effort produced a takedown. In the national quarterfinals, the story was again the same as Cunanan controlled the match and wore his opponent down before taking the 5-3 victory over the tournament’s seventh seed, Dana Holland of Arizona State. His roll ended with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss in the national semifinals, eventually finishing sixth. Cunanan, who qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times, finally was able to finish his career as an NCAA All-American.
MATTE LEBE
2005 • 157 pounds Jeannette, Pennsylvania
Matt Lebe became WVU’s 20th All-American the hard way by fighting through the 157-pound consolation bracket after losing his opening match of the NCAA Tournament. Lebe pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the 2005 tournament when he knocked off Stanford’s defending national champion, Matt Gentry, 5-3. The Jeannette, Pennsylvania, native then faced Clarion’s Chris Horning, whom he had beaten twice before earlier in the season. Lebe jumped out to a 4-1 lead and held off Horning for the rest of the match to escape with a 6-5 win. He later was knocked out of the tournament by Arizona State’s Brian Smith and finished seventh overall.
BRANDON RADER
2006, 2007 • 141 pounds Parkersburg, West Virginia
No WVU true freshman had ever wrestled his way to All-America status before Parkersburg native Brandon Rader did so at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Parkersburg High graduate finished sixth in the tournament to become just the fourth West Virginia native to earn All-America status. Rader, seeded ninth in the 141-pound weight class, got off to a blistering pace, as he pinned his first two opponents. In his third bout, the freshman faced No. 1 seeded and undefeated Nate Gallick of Iowa State and lost a very close 3-0 decision. Rader rebounded in the consolation bracket by defeating Pitt’s Ron Tarquinio for the third time in 2006. He then defeated Virginia Tech’s Dave Hoffman, 11-7, in the consolation quarterfinals. In 2007 Rader repeated his All-America status by finishing sixth for the second-consecutive year. This time, he rebounded from a second-round loss, which forced him to win fourconsecutive matches to get back to the NCAA platform. His defining match occurred in the consolation semifinals against No. 4-seeded Manny Rivera of Minnesota when he came away victorious, 9-5. The win for Rader made him just the sixth Mountaineer wrestler in school history to earn multiple AllAmerica honors when he did so during the third session of the NCAA Championships in Detroit.
ZEKE MOISEY
2015, 2018 • 125 pounds
Northampton, Pennsylvania
Zeke Moisey started the season as a redshirt freshman and went on to end it as the NCAA runner-up at 125 pounds. After competing unattached for the first few weeks of the season, Moisey’s redshirt was pulled on Nov. 13, 2015, when first-year head coach Sammie Henson inserted him into the lineup against Arizona State, where Moisey claimed a major decision. He topped several ranked opponents during the season before taking the runner-up spot at the 2015 Big 12 Championship in Ames, Iowa, dropping a 5-3 decision to No. 9 Eddie Klimara of Oklahoma State. Moisey earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships, entering the tournament unseeded. He then upset No. 15 Chasen Tolbert of Utah Valley in a 14-6 major decision before knocking off No. 2 seed Nahshon Garrett of Cornell in a 5-3 decision. Moisey got his revenge on No. 7 seed Klimara in the quarterfinals, winning a 5-2 decision. However, his most impressive feat came in the semifinals when he used a cradle to pin No. 6 seed Thomas Gilman of Iowa in just 52 seconds, advancing to the NCAA finals, where he lost a 9-5 decision to No. 4 seed Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State to end his magical run. Though he did not come away with a national title, Moisey made his way into several record books. He became the first WVU All-American since 2007 and the 30th overall and was the first Mountaineer to wrestle for a national championship since Greg Jones did so in 2005. Moisey also was the first unseeded wrestler to make it to the NCAA finals since 2003. Moisey returned to the national spotlight in 2018 following an injury, upsetting No. 7 seed Taylor LaMont of Utah Valley in the fourth round of wrestle-backs to earn All-America status for the second time in his career.
SHANE CUNAHAN
NOAH ADAMS
2020 • 197 pounds
Coal City, West Virginia
COVID-19 took away West Virginia’s opportunity, including two-time NCAA Qualifier Noah Adams, to compete at the 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, and there was a very good chance the Coal City, West Virginia, native could have gone through the entire season undefeated and been standing at the top of the podium at NCAAs. Leading up to nationals, Adams defeated South Dakota State’s Tanner Sloan in a 5-1 decision to capture the 197-pound title at the 2020 Big 12 Wrestling Championship. He completed the 2019-20 season with a perfect 32-0 record, as well as a 13-0 mark against conference opponents, tying for the most wins by a WVU sophomore. In an impressive sophomore campaign, Adams was the first wrestler in program history to be named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year and the second to be picked as a finalist for the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy. Adams, a No. 2 seed in the 197-pound bracket at NCAAs, also earned WVU’s Red Brown Cup, an award given to the University’s most outstanding student-athlete, and received the 2020 Hardman Award, an honor given to West Virginia’s amateur athlete of the year, as selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. Additionally, Adams was crowned the 197-pound champion at the prestigious Southern Schuffle and was awarded the event’s Most Outstanding Wrestler after going 5-0 with three wins over ranked opponents at the two-day tournament.
KILLIAN CARDINALE
2021, 2023 • 125 pounds
Bristow, Virginia
After transferring from Old Dominion, redshirt junior Killian Cardinale came out of the 2021 campaign standing on the podium of the NCAA Championships to complete his season debut for West Virginia University. No. 17-seed Cardinale captured a seventh-place finish at 125 pounds after defeating No. 19-seed Eric Barnett by a 12-7 decision. His performance two years later was one for the ages, as Cardinale became the eighth WVU wrestler to be named an All-American multiple times in spite of battling with a torn ACL in one leg and a meniscus tear in the other entering the 2023 NCAA Championships. Despite dropping a 8-7 decision to No. 4-seed Matt Ramos of Purdue in the quarterfinals of the 125-pound bracket, Cardinale bounced back in the blood round by outlasting No. 15-seed Brett Ungar of Cornell via a 3-2 decision to secure his second appearance on the podium. He previously knocked off No. 5-seed Caleb Smith of Appalachian State in session one and No. 21-seed Jore Volk of Wyoming in session two to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals for the second straight year and setup the showdown with Ramos. The Bristow, Virginia, native concluded his time at WVU as a three-time NCAA qualifier, two-time AllAmerican, and the third Big 12 champion in program history.
PEYTON HALL
2022, 2024, 2025 • 165 pounds
Chester, West Virginia
From capturing the Clarion Open crown to sealing a spot in the finals of the 2022 Big 12 Championship, the spotlight never was too big for Peyton Hall, as the sophomore led the squad with a 28-6 overall record and placed eighth at the NCAA Championships to become WVU’s 34th AllAmerican in program history. Despite dropping a 6-2 decision to No. 1-seed Evan Wick of Cal Poly in the quarterfinals, Hall bounced back in the wrestlebacks bracket and took down No. 19-seed Justin McCoy of Virginia five times to grab an 11-3 major decision to secure his spot on the podium. The Chester, West Virginia, native joined Jimmie Cox, Mike Mason, Sam Kline, Brandon Rader, and Noah Adams as the sixth WVU wrestler from the state of West Virginia to be named an All-American. In addition, Hall is the first WVU grappler to take home the honor at 165 pounds; Mark Banks reached the feat twice at 167 pounds back in 1990 and 1991. Two years later, Hall would secure another spot on the podium after knocking off No. 3-seed Julian Ramirez of Cornell during the 2024 NCAA Championships in Kansas City to become the ninth multi-time All-American in program history. The senior captain responded from a second-round loss to Antrell Taylor of Nebraska by picking up a pair of bonus point victories over No. 31-seed Maxx Mayfield of Northwestern and No. 26-seed Dom Baker of Campbell to set up the battle with Ramirez in the blood round. Hall eventually defeated Taylor in a rematch to seal seventh place. Hall secured his place as one of the greatest Mountaineers to ever compete for WVU wrestling after a third place finish at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. In his final year, Hall became a Big 12 Champion, a five-team NCAA Championships qualifier and an NWCA Scholar-All-American. Hall also became the winningest Mountaineer in program history and tied Greg Jones for the most NCAA Wrestling Championship wins with 17. Hall is the only Mountaineer to compete at five NCAA Championships and is just one of three Mountaineers to be named an All-American three times during thier career.
TY WATTERS
2024 • 149 pounds
Imperial, Pennsylvania
For the third time in program history, a true freshman entered the starting lineup looking to make a splash, and Watters did just that by becoming the first wrestler in school history to win a Big 12 Championship and earn a top-8 finish on the mat at nationals, as well as the 13th Mountaineer to win a conference title and reach All-American status in the same season. The Imperial, Pennsylvania, native also joined elite company in former Mountaineer standouts Brandon Rader (2006) and Zeke Moisey (2015) as the third-ever true freshman in program history to claim All-America status, as well as the first WVU grappler to take home the honor at 149 pounds after pinning 2021 All-American and No. 26seed Jaden Abas of Stanford in the blood round. Following an 8-3 quarterfinal loss to No. 4-seed Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech, the fifth-seeded Watters went on an incredible run, one that saw the rookie not only take down Abas but also No. 8-seed Casey Swiderski of Iowa State and four-time All-American and No. 2-seed Kyle Parco of Arizona State to advance to the third-place bout and wrap up his NCAA Championships debut in fourth place.
WVU PRESIDENT MICHAEL T. BENSON
Michael T. Benson, a veteran higher education administrator, became the 27th president of West Virginia University on July 15, 2025. He brings three decades of academic and administrative experience in higher education to his role leading West Virginia’s flagship, land-grant, R1 institution into a new era.
WVU is Benson’s fifth presidency. Prior to his arrival at Coastal Carolina in 2021, Benson led Snow College, Southern Utah University, and Eastern Kentucky University. During his tenure at Coastal Carolina, Benson secured a $10 million gift, the largest in the school’s history. He worked closely with community partners and policymakers to advance initiatives there, including the successful renewal of a local option penny sales tax to support public and higher education through the year 2039, the only tax of its kind in all of South Carolina.
In 2024, under his leadership, Coastal Carolina enrolled its largest number of students ever - 11,225 - while also setting a record retention rate.
As the 14th president of Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, he helped raise more private money for the institution during his tenure than had been secured in the previous 115 years of the college’s history combined.
Appointed at age 36, Benson was the youngest college president in the history of the Utah System of Higher Education.
Benson has also held faculty appointments at the University of Utah, the University of Notre Dame, and Johns Hopkins University, and has taught at each institution where he served as president, including Coastal Carolina where he was a professor of history.
His scholarly work has focused on the development of the research university and its impact on society. Benson’s book, “Daniel Coit Gilman and the Birth of the American Research University,” was released by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2022. He was a visiting professor in the Department of the History of Science and Technology at Johns Hopkins in 2020. Benson’s biography of Gilman was named to the list of Best Higher
Education Books of 2023 by Forbes magazine.
Benson is also the author of “Harry S. Truman and the Founding of Israel,” and, with co-author Hal Boyd, published “College for the Commonwealth: A Case for Higher Education in American Democracy” with the University Press of Kentucky. Nationally, Benson serves on the Council of Presidents of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. He also is the past board chair of Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society and is the former chair of the NCAA Honors Committee.
Benson is sought after for public speeches and appearances. He was a featured contributor to the Huffington Post for 5 years; has written articles for The Jerusalem Post, Lexington Herald-Leader, Louisville Courier Journal, The Kansas City Star, Deseret News, and The Salt Lake Tribune, among others; and appeared on ESPN’s The Paul Finebaum Show. Born in Utah and raised in Texas and Indiana, Benson has worked and studied abroad for nearly 7 years in Italy, England, and Israel. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science and double minors in English and history from Brigham Young University in 1990. He completed his doctorate in modern history from the University of Oxford (St. Antony’s College) in 1995, where he was a Rotary Foundation Scholar and recipient of the Oxford Graduate Overseas Fellowship.
@MICHAELTBENSON
Founder’s Award. Benson graduated with a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University in August 2021 and was elected to the Honor Society of the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs.
An accomplished athlete, President Benson played basketball at BYU and Oxford, and his best marathon time – 2 hours and 41 minutes – won his age division in the St. George (Utah) Marathon. He also finished among the top 25% of all runners in the 1984 Boston Marathon, one of only 19 teenagers from around the world to compete in the race.
An avid traveler, he has visited all 50 states and five of the seven continents.
He also earned a master’s degree cum laude in nonprofit administration in 2011 from the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Father Theodore Hesburgh
He and his wife, Debi, are the parents of three children – Truman, Tatum, and Talmage. He also has two older children from a previous marriage. Emma is a TV reporter for KSL in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Samuel writes for Politico in Washington, D.C. Sam’s wife, Keylla, is in her first year at Georgetown Law School.
WVU VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS WREN BAKER
Wren Baker has changed the face of West Virginia University Athletics. He has reenergized the department and set it up for long-term success in the ever-changing world of college athletics. Whether it’s coaching searches, facility master plans, revenue sharing or a modern, business-like approach to Name, Image and Likeness, Baker has faced every challenge head on and has never looked back. He has brought new thinking and confidence to WVU Athletics, and his reputation across the country is secondto-none.
Baker is a high-energy leader, and Mountaineer success has been contagious in competition and in the classroom. Conference championships, NCAA appearances and a national championship have been followed by strong academic achievement for Mountaineer student-athletes, eclipsing previous department GPA highs. Under Baker, WVU has also turned in record fundraising numbers as his forward thinking and strategic planning are geared to bringing future success and revenue stability to the state’s Land-Grant Institution.
Missouri, Memphis, Northwest Missouri and Rogers State, he brought more than 20 years of experience to WVU.
Baker was an instant hit with WVU fans. In his first year in Morgantown, he traveled the state to learn its culture, geography, and history. He has met and listened to Mountaineer fans from all over the world and immersed himself on what it means to be a proud West Virginian. The results of his approach and work ethic speak volumes as the West Virginia Mountaineers continue to be a national brand. Despite accomplishing so much in a short period of time, Baker’s plate is still full. Continued revenue generation, launching an NIL full-service business agency for student-athlete advancement and premium seating options in his two major sports venues are still on his radar for the coming year. His endless energy never stops moving WVU forward.
Then WVU President E. Gordon Gee named Baker as WVU’s vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics on Nov. 30, 2022. He has oversight of 18 varsity sports, a department budget of more than $90 million, approximately 250 employees and nearly 500 studentathletes.
Baker is WVU’s 13th director of athletics and came to Morgantown from the University of North Texas, where he had been the associate vice president and athletics director since 2016. With previous stops at
Wren BAKer THroUgH THe YeArS
2001-05 Oklahoma State University Basketball Operations Assistant
2005-06 Valliant Public Schools Director of Athletics/Principal
2006-10 Rogers State University Director of Athletics
2010-13 Northwest Missouri State Director of Athletics
2013-15 University of Memphis Deputy Director of Athletics
2015-16 University of Missouri Deputy Director of Athletics
2016-22 University of North Texas Vice President/Director of Athletics
2022- West Virginia University Vice President/Director of Athletics
At North Texas, seven Mean Green programs combined to win 17 conference or division championships during Baker’s tenure. UNT also reached new heights in the classroom under Baker’s leadership, posting its top APR scores and four consecutive department Graduation Success Rate (GSR) records. Baker led record fundraising years at North Texas, and the overall top five largest gifts ever at UNT came under Baker’s leadership.
Prior to North Texas, Baker was the deputy director of athletics at Missouri from 2015 to 2016, serving as the top advisor and chief of staff. Before Missouri, he spent time at Memphis from 2013-15 as deputy athletics director.
From 2011-13, Baker was athletics director at NCAA Division II power Northwest Missouri State. From 2006-11, Baker served as the first athletics director at Rogers State in Claremore, Oklahoma, where he was also the school’s first men’s basketball coach. His team went 2011 in his only season at the helm, and during his tenure, he developed a full-scale, competitive collegiate athletics program. In 2005, he was the principal and athletics director for Valliant Public Schools, and at age 26, was the youngest principal in Oklahoma history.
Originally from Valliant, Oklahoma, Baker earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State in 2001 where he was a member of the honors program. He went on to earn his master’s degree in education leadership from Oklahoma State in 2003.
While at Oklahoma State, Baker was a graduate assistant and basketball operations assistant for the Cowboys’ men’s basketball program under legendary head coach Eddie Sutton. During his time with OSU, the Cowboys posted a 102-30 record, reaching four NCAA tournaments with trips to the 2004 Final Four and the 2005 Sweet 16. Baker and his wife, Heather, a Bokchito, Oklahoma, native, have two daughters, Addisyn and Reagan.
THE BAKER FAMILY: REAGAN, ADDISYN, HEATHER AND WREN
WVU INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
APrIl MeSSerlY Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director/Capital Projects, Facilities and Event Management
MATT WellS Deputy Athletics Director/ External Affairs
MICHAel FrAgAle Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director,/ Communications
Jen greenY Head Volleyball Coach
Jon HAMMonD Hayhurst Family Head Rifle Coach
roSS HoDge Head Men's Basketball Coach
nIKKI IZZo-BroWn Head Women’s Soccer Coach
MArK Kellogg Hayhurst Family Head Women’s Basketball Coach
JIMMY KIng Head Rowing Coach
MIHA lISAC Head Tennis Coach
BrenT MAConDAlD Head Swimming and Diving Coach
rICH roDrIgUeZ Head Football Coach
STeVe SABInS Head Baseball Coach
DAn STrATForD Head Men’s Soccer Coach
MEDIA INFORMATION
MEDIA SERVICES
The West Virginia University Athletics Communications Office will be available throughout the 2025-26 wrestling season to accommodate any media requests.
MATCH DAY
Parking is free for all home wrestling matches. Requested team members and head coach Tim Flynn will be available for interviews inside Hope Coliseum following a 15-minute grace period. Please see the WVU wrestling contact at the scorers’ table for all interview requests.
GAME SERVICES
The athletics communications staff will be at your service throughout the match. All working media will be provided with game notes and other pertinent information. Live stats
can be accessed from any web browser at the following: https://wvusports.com/sports/ wrestling/schedule. Press seating is located at the top of the concourse, and wireless internet access is available for working media members.
CREDENTIALS
Photographers and media members who wish to cover a match at Hope Coliseum should contact WVU wrestling contact Charles Montgomery via email (charles.montgomery@mail. wvu.edu) or phone (304-288-5941), at least 24 hours in advance.
DURING THE WEEK
Any member of the media wishing to interview a wrestler or member of the coaching staff during the week should contact Charles Montgomery (charles.montgomery@mail.
wvu.edu) or phone (304-288-5941) at least 24 hours in advance. Cell phone numbers will not be provided, and all WVU student-athletes have been instructed not to conduct interviews without prior approval from the athletics communications staff.
WVUSPORTS.COM
WVUsports.com is the place for media and fans to go for the latest on Mountaineer wrestling. Wrestler and coaching staff bios are available at the click of a finger by going to WVUsports.com. Updated following each match, WVUsports.com is your place to find the latest statistics for Mountaineer wrestling.
SOCIAL MEDIA
The WVU wrestling team is active on various social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and X.
MICHAel FrAgAle
MIKe MonToro
BrYAn MeSSerlY
JoHn AnTonIK Senior Director of Athletics Content
Joe SWAn Senior Director of Athletics Publications/Design
