Yevhen Pylypenko Joins Ohio RTC in Newly Created Greco-Roman Coaching Role

Yevhen Pylypenko of Columbus, Ohio, has joined the Ohio Regional Training Center in a newly created Greco-Roman coaching role, marking an important step in expanding Greco-Roman wrestling opportunities in Ohio.

Pylypenko, a Master of Sport of Ukraine and an experienced Greco-Roman wrestling coach, brings more than 17 years of coaching experience, including work with athletes who have competed at the national and international levels. His background combines elite technical knowledge, long-term athlete development, and the traditions of the Ukrainian Greco-Roman wrestling school.

The position represents the first dedicated Greco-Roman coaching role within the Ohio RTC, reflecting the program’s growing commitment to expanding Greco-Roman wrestling development while also strengthening athletes across wrestling styles.

In his role with the Ohio RTC, Pylypenko will work with athletes on Greco-Roman technical development, competitive preparation, and long-term growth. His coaching approach combines the discipline, precision, and technical depth of the Ukrainian wrestling system with the athleticism, intensity, and competitive culture of American wrestling.

“We are excited to have Yevhen Pylypenko join the Ohio RTC coaching staff in this newly created Greco-Roman role,” said Tom Ryan, head coach of the Ohio State wrestling program. “In a short period of time, he has already made a meaningful impact in helping prepare our athletes, including Ryder Rogotzke, who placed third at the Senior U.S. Open, and TJ Schierl, who placed third at the U23 national level. We believe Yevhen’s international experience and technical knowledge will help grow Greco-Roman wrestling in Ohio while also strengthening athletes across styles, including folkstyle. He brings a valuable perspective to our training environment and to the long-term development of our wrestlers.”

“It is a great honor for me to be part of the Ohio RTC,” Pylypenko said. “My goal is to help athletes grow technically, mentally, and competitively. I want to combine American power with Ukrainian mastery and give wrestlers more opportunities to succeed in Greco-Roman wrestling.”

Before coming to the United States, Pylypenko spent many years coaching Greco-Roman wrestling in Ukraine, including within the specialized sports college system. He helped develop numerous national champions and athletes who represented Ukraine at European and world-level competitions.

Since arriving in the United States, Pylypenko has continued coaching in Columbus, Ohio, where he has worked with young athletes and helped grow Greco-Roman wrestling at the local, state, and national levels. For three consecutive years, athletes coached by Pylypenko have earned top-three finishes at the Fargo National Championships, including Dmytro Chubenko and Maksym Chubenko in Greco-Roman wrestling. In 2026, Spencer Davern, another athlete coached by Pylypenko, won the U15 Greco-Roman title at the U.S. Open and qualified for the Pan-American Championships.