New head coaches: Yetzer to Roanoke; Riggs promoted at Ferrum
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by Roanoke Athletics, Ferrum Athletics
Nate Yetzer (left) will launch the Roanoke program; Ryan Riggs (right) moves up from associate head coach at Ferrum to take head coaching post.
Nate Yetzer hired as first head coach at Roanoke College
by Roanoke Athletics
Salem, Va. – Roanoke College Director of Athletics Scott Allison has announced the hiring of Nate Yetzer to serve as the College's first Head Wrestling Coach.
Allison announced in January the addition of wrestling as the College's 22nd NCAA Division III sponsored athletic program. The Maroons will begin competition in the Fall of 2021.
"We're fortunate to have Nate Yetzer lead our wrestling program," said Allison. "His ability to build a program is proven. The energy he brings to the table is off the charts. We know he'll fit in well with his colleagues on our hallway!"
Yetzer joined the Ferrum coaching staff in July 2012 as Head Wrestling Coach. In the last eight years at the helm of the new Panther mat program, Yetzer has sent 13 individuals to the NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championships. Four wrestlers have earned All-America honors under Yetzer, Logan Meister in 2016 and Zach Beckner in 2017, with Beckner being the College's first-ever NCAA finalist in any sport. Levi Englman and Mario Vasquez became the third and fourth All-Americans in 2019. Yetzer's 2017 team won the NCAA East Regional and he was named NCAA East Region Coach of the Year.
Yetzer came to Ferrum from Blacksburg, Virginia, where he served six years as an assistant coach for the Virginia Tech wrestling program. Yetzer worked under Head Coach Kevin Dresser, helping to coordinate daily training sessions and assisting with office administration. He helped the Hokies to a #11 finish at the 2012 NCAA Division I Tournament. The Hokies had two All-Americans, six NCAA qualifiers and three ACC champions in 2012. Yetzer also assisted with recruitment and visitations of potential Virginia Tech student-athletes, fundraising activities, travel coordination and monitoring academic progress of student-athletes.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to start another program here at Roanoke College," said Yetzer. "It is easy to see why RC is consistently among the top teams in the ODAC across all sports. It is great to see Roanoke is going to be invested in this program with expectations to be successful in the classroom and on the mat. I want to thank Mr. Scott Allison, Mr. Aaron Fetrow and President Maxey for their confidence in me to fulfill those expectations."
Prior to joining the Hokies' staff, Yetzer served as assistant coach one year at Binghamton University in Vestal, New York. In that role, he helped with all facets of the Bearcats' NCAA Division I wrestling program. Yetzer served four years (2000-04) as a clinician at the Bruce Baumgartner World-Class Wrestling Camps in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He also served as an assistant wrestling coach four years (2002-04, 2006) for the Ohio Junior National Team.
Yetzer wrestled for NCAA Division I Edinboro University from 2001-05. He won Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles in 2004 and 2005, and earned the Eastern Wrestling League title in 2004. Yetzer was a four-time NCAA Division I Tournament qualifier, and capped his 2004 season with an All-American finish when he placed 8th in the 174-pound weight class.
A Madison High School graduate, Yetzer was an Ohio High School Athletic Association state finalist in 1999 and 2000, winning a state title in 2000. He went on to a National High School Coaches Association (NHCAA) national runner-up finish in 2000, and earned five Freestyle and Greco-Roman All-America finishes.
Yetzer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Edinboro in 2005. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Health Promotions from Virginia Tech in 2012. Yetzer and his wife, the former Leah Scott, have four boys. 10 year old twins Jack and Nick, six year old Ethan and four year old Harrison.
While wrestling is not currently a sponsored sport by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Roanoke joins Emory & Henry (2020), Ferrum, Shenandoah (2020) and Washington and Lee as ODAC schools that sponsor the sport.
Ryan Riggs named head men’s coach at Ferrum College
by Gary Holden, Ferrum College
FERRUM, Va. – Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced the hiring of Ryan Riggs as head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum College. Riggs has been with the Panther wrestling program the past four seasons and recently completed his second year as associate head coach.
"We are extremely pleased that Ryan Riggs has agreed to be the next head men's wrestling coach at Ferrum College," said Sutyak. "Ryan has been instrumental in helping to build Ferrum into a national program and regional power within the NCAA. Having an accomplished coach already on staff allows us to continue the upward trajectory of Ferrum men's wrestling on the national level. In having the opportunity to work with him and observe him as a coach the last few months, I have full confidence in Ryan and how we will work together to keep Ferrum men's wrestling strong."
Riggs was promoted to associate head coach at Ferrum in July 2018. In doing so, he took on more day-to-day operations of the program, including recruiting, fundraising, practice development and coordinating Ferrum men’s wrestling social media presence. He was instrumental in helping Ferrum host the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Riggs also helped the Panthers host the NCAA Southeast Regional tournaments in 2017 and 2018. He has served as tournament director for the Star City Classic, Southeast Duals and Panther Open, all tournaments hosted by Ferrum.
Hired as the assistant men’s wrestling coach in July 2016, he immediately stepped in and served as the head women’s wrestling coach that season as well. The next fall, Ferrum’s head cross country coach position was vacant and Riggs once again stepped in to fill the void.
In Riggs’ first season at Ferrum, the Panther men won the 2017 NCAA Div. III Southeast Regional, with Riggs earning Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Ferrum sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament that season, including Logan Meister, who was a three-time NCAA qualifier, and Zack Beckner, who became the program’s first National Finalist and NCAA runner-up.
Ferrum won Southeast Wrestling Conference Tournament (SWEC) titles all four years during Riggs’ tenure as assistant and associate head coach, and he was named SEWC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019. The Panthers posted top-10 finishes at a number of prestigious events, most notably the Pete Willson Invitational (2nd in 2017), the NWCA National Duals (8th in 2017) and the Citrus Open (2nd in 2019).
"I want to thank our Director of Athletics John Sutyak, Associate Athletic Director Gary Holden and President Dr. David Johns for believing in me as the next head wrestling coach at Ferrum College. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and amazing student athletes. I am ready to build on the success of this last season and have very high expectations for the future of Ferrum wrestling."
A native of Perry Township, Ohio, Riggs prepped at Massillon Perry High School, where he was a double All-American at the Asics Greco-Roman and Freestyle Fargo National Championships. Massillon Perry achieved its first top-10 national ranking (#8) by Amateur Wrestling News during Riggs’ sophomore year in 2000-01.
He qualified three times for the Ohio State Tournament, was a two-time Ironman Tournament place winner and a Beast of the East Tournament finalist. Riggs was ranked nationally by USA Wrestling and Amateur Wrestling News before continuing his career at Cleveland State University as a scholarship wrestler under Coach Jack Effner. He placed 5th at the Eastern Wrestling League Tournament in 2007 and was ranked as high as #3 in the league.
Riggs becomes only the second head men’s wrestling coach in the seven-year history of the program. He succeeds Nate Yetzer, who stepped down last week to accept the head wrestling coach position at Roanoke College.
Riggs takes over a program that finished 6-3 in 2019-20 and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Panthers are expected to graduate three wrestlers in May, with over 30 eligible to return for the 2020-21 season.
Nate Yetzer hired as first head coach at Roanoke College
by Roanoke Athletics
Salem, Va. – Roanoke College Director of Athletics Scott Allison has announced the hiring of Nate Yetzer to serve as the College's first Head Wrestling Coach.
Allison announced in January the addition of wrestling as the College's 22nd NCAA Division III sponsored athletic program. The Maroons will begin competition in the Fall of 2021.
"We're fortunate to have Nate Yetzer lead our wrestling program," said Allison. "His ability to build a program is proven. The energy he brings to the table is off the charts. We know he'll fit in well with his colleagues on our hallway!"
Yetzer joined the Ferrum coaching staff in July 2012 as Head Wrestling Coach. In the last eight years at the helm of the new Panther mat program, Yetzer has sent 13 individuals to the NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championships. Four wrestlers have earned All-America honors under Yetzer, Logan Meister in 2016 and Zach Beckner in 2017, with Beckner being the College's first-ever NCAA finalist in any sport. Levi Englman and Mario Vasquez became the third and fourth All-Americans in 2019. Yetzer's 2017 team won the NCAA East Regional and he was named NCAA East Region Coach of the Year.
Yetzer came to Ferrum from Blacksburg, Virginia, where he served six years as an assistant coach for the Virginia Tech wrestling program. Yetzer worked under Head Coach Kevin Dresser, helping to coordinate daily training sessions and assisting with office administration. He helped the Hokies to a #11 finish at the 2012 NCAA Division I Tournament. The Hokies had two All-Americans, six NCAA qualifiers and three ACC champions in 2012. Yetzer also assisted with recruitment and visitations of potential Virginia Tech student-athletes, fundraising activities, travel coordination and monitoring academic progress of student-athletes.
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to start another program here at Roanoke College," said Yetzer. "It is easy to see why RC is consistently among the top teams in the ODAC across all sports. It is great to see Roanoke is going to be invested in this program with expectations to be successful in the classroom and on the mat. I want to thank Mr. Scott Allison, Mr. Aaron Fetrow and President Maxey for their confidence in me to fulfill those expectations."
Prior to joining the Hokies' staff, Yetzer served as assistant coach one year at Binghamton University in Vestal, New York. In that role, he helped with all facets of the Bearcats' NCAA Division I wrestling program. Yetzer served four years (2000-04) as a clinician at the Bruce Baumgartner World-Class Wrestling Camps in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He also served as an assistant wrestling coach four years (2002-04, 2006) for the Ohio Junior National Team.
Yetzer wrestled for NCAA Division I Edinboro University from 2001-05. He won Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference titles in 2004 and 2005, and earned the Eastern Wrestling League title in 2004. Yetzer was a four-time NCAA Division I Tournament qualifier, and capped his 2004 season with an All-American finish when he placed 8th in the 174-pound weight class.
A Madison High School graduate, Yetzer was an Ohio High School Athletic Association state finalist in 1999 and 2000, winning a state title in 2000. He went on to a National High School Coaches Association (NHCAA) national runner-up finish in 2000, and earned five Freestyle and Greco-Roman All-America finishes.
Yetzer earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Edinboro in 2005. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Health Promotions from Virginia Tech in 2012. Yetzer and his wife, the former Leah Scott, have four boys. 10 year old twins Jack and Nick, six year old Ethan and four year old Harrison.
While wrestling is not currently a sponsored sport by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Roanoke joins Emory & Henry (2020), Ferrum, Shenandoah (2020) and Washington and Lee as ODAC schools that sponsor the sport.
Ryan Riggs named head men’s coach at Ferrum College
by Gary Holden, Ferrum College
FERRUM, Va. – Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced the hiring of Ryan Riggs as head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum College. Riggs has been with the Panther wrestling program the past four seasons and recently completed his second year as associate head coach.
"We are extremely pleased that Ryan Riggs has agreed to be the next head men's wrestling coach at Ferrum College," said Sutyak. "Ryan has been instrumental in helping to build Ferrum into a national program and regional power within the NCAA. Having an accomplished coach already on staff allows us to continue the upward trajectory of Ferrum men's wrestling on the national level. In having the opportunity to work with him and observe him as a coach the last few months, I have full confidence in Ryan and how we will work together to keep Ferrum men's wrestling strong."
Riggs was promoted to associate head coach at Ferrum in July 2018. In doing so, he took on more day-to-day operations of the program, including recruiting, fundraising, practice development and coordinating Ferrum men’s wrestling social media presence. He was instrumental in helping Ferrum host the 2019 NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Riggs also helped the Panthers host the NCAA Southeast Regional tournaments in 2017 and 2018. He has served as tournament director for the Star City Classic, Southeast Duals and Panther Open, all tournaments hosted by Ferrum.
Hired as the assistant men’s wrestling coach in July 2016, he immediately stepped in and served as the head women’s wrestling coach that season as well. The next fall, Ferrum’s head cross country coach position was vacant and Riggs once again stepped in to fill the void.
In Riggs’ first season at Ferrum, the Panther men won the 2017 NCAA Div. III Southeast Regional, with Riggs earning Regional Assistant Coach of the Year honors. Ferrum sent three wrestlers to the NCAA Tournament that season, including Logan Meister, who was a three-time NCAA qualifier, and Zack Beckner, who became the program’s first National Finalist and NCAA runner-up.
Ferrum won Southeast Wrestling Conference Tournament (SWEC) titles all four years during Riggs’ tenure as assistant and associate head coach, and he was named SEWC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019. The Panthers posted top-10 finishes at a number of prestigious events, most notably the Pete Willson Invitational (2nd in 2017), the NWCA National Duals (8th in 2017) and the Citrus Open (2nd in 2019).
"I want to thank our Director of Athletics John Sutyak, Associate Athletic Director Gary Holden and President Dr. David Johns for believing in me as the next head wrestling coach at Ferrum College. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program and amazing student athletes. I am ready to build on the success of this last season and have very high expectations for the future of Ferrum wrestling."
A native of Perry Township, Ohio, Riggs prepped at Massillon Perry High School, where he was a double All-American at the Asics Greco-Roman and Freestyle Fargo National Championships. Massillon Perry achieved its first top-10 national ranking (#8) by Amateur Wrestling News during Riggs’ sophomore year in 2000-01.
He qualified three times for the Ohio State Tournament, was a two-time Ironman Tournament place winner and a Beast of the East Tournament finalist. Riggs was ranked nationally by USA Wrestling and Amateur Wrestling News before continuing his career at Cleveland State University as a scholarship wrestler under Coach Jack Effner. He placed 5th at the Eastern Wrestling League Tournament in 2007 and was ranked as high as #3 in the league.
Riggs becomes only the second head men’s wrestling coach in the seven-year history of the program. He succeeds Nate Yetzer, who stepped down last week to accept the head wrestling coach position at Roanoke College.
Riggs takes over a program that finished 6-3 in 2019-20 and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Panthers are expected to graduate three wrestlers in May, with over 30 eligible to return for the 2020-21 season.
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