Wrestling on the Rise
By Ken Cerino
When Mike Sugermeyer became the part-time wrestling coach at Western New England three years ago, he employed a simple philosophy to get the Golden Bears back on the winning track. Appointed head coach in July, his philosophy has made Golden Bear Wrestling a rising contender in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA).
“We are looking for student-athletes who want to embrace a championship lifestyle in everything that they do. Our mission is to provide our student-athletes with the best possible experience, in an environment where they can achieve their goals in the classroom, on the wrestling mat, and in life,” Sugermeyer stated.
Coach Sugermeyer’s hard work paid off as the Golden Bears went 9-7 in 2018 for their first winning season in 19 years. The team has had 28 victories in the past three years, the most since 1998-2000.
A strong recruiter, Sugermeyer had a large squad with 28 student-athletes this past winter. Sophomore John Boyle (pictured at top) posted a 37-7 record (13 pins) in the 184-lb. weight class and took fourth at the NCAA Division III Championship to become the school’s ninth All-American and first in 21 years.
Boyle and senior Tim McLinden (both Electrical Engineering majors), and sophomore Ryan Guers (Communication) made the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) All-Academic Team.
Nick Newell ’08 is among several graduates who have fared well after graduation. He is one of the top Ultimate Fighting Performers despite having a lower limb difference.
Sugermeyer’s gameplan shows no signs of slowing down as he looks to another top season in 2018-19.
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Finished fifth among 13 teams at the Ursinus (PA) Invitational
Eighth among 18 schools at the Springfield Invitational
Ninth among 17 schools at the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional
Decades of Dominance
Western New England was a dominant force for parts of three decades under Hall of Fame coach Bob Skelton who started the program in the mid-1970s. The program struggled following Skelton’s retirement in 2004 and the roster size dwindled considerably.
Enter Mike Sugermeyer, who graduated from Rhode Island College in 2013 where he gained All-NCAA Northeast and New England recognition. He was an assistant with the Golden Bears in 2014 and 2015.
Wrestling runs in the Sugermeyer household. Mike’s father Stephen ’78/G’80 was a member of the inaugural squad and first captain in 1976. He was inducted into the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 and is a professional educator of accounting
at the University.
“Each year we continue to raise the bar as we work towards our ultimate goal of bringing an NCAA Division III Championship trophy home to Western New England University. With the addition of a solid recruiting class to an already talented group of returners, along with the continued support that we receive from our alumni and administration, the future is very bright for Golden Bear wrestling,” says Coach Sugermeyer.
