Western New England College
Wrestling News

FRESHMAN MIKE BISHOP SELECTED WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Freshman Mike Bishop (Belchertown, MA) was honored Tuesday (Feb. 22) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Bishop placed fifth in the 197-lb. weight class at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championship to become the school's first place-winner at the meet in three years. An engineering major, Bishop also is a member of the Golden Bears' football team.

Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 19-20, 2005
NECCWA Championship
(Providence, R.I.)
WNEC placed 15th among 15 teams

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Western New England College freshman Mike Bishop (Belchertown, MA) placed fifth in the 197-lb. weight class at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championship February 20 to earn All-New England recognition.

Friday, Feb. 11, 2005
(Cambridge, Mass.)
Coast Guard 40, WNEC 9
MIT 31, WNEC 12

Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005
(Middletown, Conn.)
SUNY Oneonta 48, WNEC 6
Williams 28, WNEC 15
Wesleyan 35, WNEC 13

SOPHOMORE BRANDON HAYES NAMED WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore Brandon Hayes (Watertown, NY) was honored Tuesday (Feb. 1) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Hayes won three of four matches competing in the 184-lb. weight class. He defeated opponents from Rhode Island College, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Trinity. Hayes is a mechanical engineering major.

Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005
Norwich 45, WNEC 6
Merchant Marine 30, WNEC 18
Trinity 25, WNEC 12

Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005
Rhode Island College 36, WNEC 9

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005
Johnson & Wales 46, WNEC 6

Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005
Plymouth State Invitational (5th/6)

Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005
North-South Duals (Collegeville, Pa.)
WNEC 30, Washington & Jefferson 19
Muhlenberg 30, WNEC 27
Ursinus 40, WNEC 10
SUNY Oneonta 45, WNEC 6

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004
Roger Williams 26, WNEC 16
WNEC 25, Plymouth State 18
Southern Maine 33, WNEC 5

JUNIOR JAMIE DURKIN NAMED WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Junior Jamie Durkin (Lawrence, MA) was honored Tuesday (Dec. 7) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Durkin, a junior, made a successful Golden Bears' debut by winning his 165-lb. match against Bridgewater State College. He also won two of three matches at the Williams Duals Championship. Durkin defeated opponents from host Williams and New York Maritime, losing only against a rival from Division I Princeton.

A transfer from Clarion (Pa.), Durkin is a political science major.

Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004
Williams 25, WNEC 13
Princeton 44, WNEC 3
New York Maritime 26, WNEC 17

(Junior Jamie Durkin named a tournament team MVP)

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004
Bridgewater State 46, WNEC 2

Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004
WNEC at Springfield Doug Parker Invitational (18th/21)

Doug Parker Invitational

BOB SKELTON RETIRES AS WRESTLING COACH AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE AFTER 30 YEARS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Citing health reasons, Bob Skelton has retired as the wrestling coach at Western New England College effective immediately.

Skelton informed athletics director Mike Theulen of his decision on Friday.

Skelton started the wrestling program at Western New England College in 1974 and compiled a 402-256-7 record (61.0 winning percentage) in 30 seasons.

A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton coached one Olympian (Rodney Smith), 137 All-New England Division III wrestlers, 27 New England champions, 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans, and 33 Academic All-Americans.

Skelton was elected to the NCAA Division III National Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Theulen also announced that assistant coaches Dwayne Dawson and Jeff Peterson would serve as co-head coaches for the remainder of the season.

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004
WNEC at Roger Williams Invitational (11th/12)

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 5-6, 2004
WNEC at Ithaca Invitational (14th/17)

Ithaca Invitational

FORMER LUDLOW HIGH SCHOOL COACH JEFF PETERSON NAMED WNEC ASSISTANT COACH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former Ludlow High School coach Jeff Peterson has been named assistant wrestling coach at Western New England College.

Peterson, a resident of Feeding Hills, compiled a 156-44 record as the head wrestling coach at Ludlow High School from 1994 to 2003.

His teams captured the seven Pioneer Valley League championships (1997-2003) and five Western Massachusetts Sectional titles (1999-2003).

Peterson was selected the 2003 Massachusetts Coach-of-the-Year after leading the Lions to the state championship.

Peterson is a 1992 graduate of the University of Massachusetts where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Fitness Administration. He earned his Master of Education degree in Educational Administration at Westfield State College in 1999.

Since 2001, Peterson has served as the Vice Principal at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.

Winter Sports Banquet
Saturday, March 27, 2003
List of Award Recipients

Wrestling
Most Valuable Player - Freshman Jason Vermes (Broad Brook, CT)
Most Improved Player - Sophomore John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY)
Joe Leto Award for Team Effort and Most Pins - Junior Eric Ahnrud (Chepachet, RI)

Congratulations to Messiah (Pa.) coach Bryan Brunk, WNEC '98, for being named the 2004 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Rookie Coach-of-the-Year

Congratulations to Brian Solomon '84 for being inducted into the NECCWA Hall of Fame

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2004
(NECCWA CHampionship at WPI) (14th/15)

Friday, Feb. 113, 2004
Coast Guard 52, WNEC 0

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2004
WNEC 42, MIT 13

Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004
Wesleyan 28, WNEC 15
SUNY Oneonta 41, WNEC 6
Williams 35, WNEC 12

Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004
Trinity 40, WNEC 8

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004
Rhode Island College 34, WNEC 13

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004
(NECCWA Dual Meet Championship at Bridgewater State) (10th/15)
Springfield 45, WNEC 0
WNEC 28, Williams 13
Roger Williams 41, WNEC 3

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2004
Johnson & Wales 32, WNEC 18

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2004
WNEC at Plymouth State Invitational (7th/7)

Sophomore John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY) placed fourth in the 184-lb. weight class for the Golden Bears.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004
(North-South Duals at MIT)
WNEC 30, Muhlenberg (Pa.) 21
Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) 33, WNEC 15
Ursinus (Pa.) 34, WNEC 9
York (Pa.) 26, WNEC 10

Sophomore John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY) won all three of his matches for Golden Bears in the 184-lb. weight class (two by pin)

COACH BOB SKELTON REACHES 400 WIN MILESTONE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - When Western New England College's wrestling team defeated the University of Southern Maine 32-13 on December 13, it was the 400th career victory for Golden Bears coach Bob Skelton.

One of the top names in New England wrestling, Skelton is in his 30th season at Western New England College. He is the second longest tenured coach in school history behind men's golf coach Bill Downes who previously coached basketball and soccer.

Skelton also is one of the top educators in the City of Springfield having served as the vice principal at the Forest Park Middle School for the last 22 years.

Skelton founded the wrestling program at Western New England College in 1974 and has compiled a 400-244-7 career record for an impressive 62.0 winning percentage at the holiday break. A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton has produced 137 All-New England Division III wrestlers, 27 New England champions, and 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans. He is especially proud of the fact that he has coached 33 Academic All-Americans.

The jewel in the crown of Skelton's tenure is former Olympian Rodney Smith, Class of 1988, who captured the bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain.

Smith also competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and was an assistant coach at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Smith now serves as an assistant coach at Western New England College.

Skelton, a 1970 graduate of the University of Minnesota, served as head coach of the Greco-Roman team in the U.S. Olympic Festival from 1990-95. He was elected to the NCAA Division III National Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.

Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003
Roger Williams 21, WNEC 11
Plymouth State 33, WNEC 15
WNEC 32, Southern Maine 13

Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003
Hunter 26, WNEC 22

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003
WNEC 52, Bryant (club) 6
Bridgewater State 23, WNEC 18

FRESHMAN JASON VERMES RANKED SIXTH AT 125 POUNDS IN NECCWA POLL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Western New England College freshman Jason Vermes (Broad Brook, CT) is ranked sixth in the 125-lb. weight class in the latest New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) poll. Vermes placed fifth at the Roger Williams Invitational on November 15.

Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003
WNEC at Doug Parker Invitational (No Team Score)

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003
WNEC at Roger Williams Invitational (10th/13)

BRISTOL, R.I. — Western New England College freshman Jason Vermes (Broad Brook, CT) placed fifth in the 125-lb. weight class and sophomore tri-captain John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY) took sixth in the 184-lb. weight class at the Roger Williams Invitational. The Golden Bears finished 10th among 13 schools in the team standings.

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 7-8, 2003
WNEC at Ithaca Invitational (16th/17)

Ithaca Invitational

Western New England College Winter Sports Banquet
Saturday, March 29, 2003
List of Award Recipients

Wrestling
Most Valuable Player — Freshman John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY).
Most Improved Wrestler — Freshman Garvin Headley (Springfield, MA).
Joe Leto Award for Team Effort — Freshman Angel Marquez (Springfield, MA).

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ASSISTANT COACH RODNEY SMITH INDUCTED INTO NECCWA HALL OF FAME

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College assistant coach Rodney Smith was inducted into the second class of the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Hall of Fame Sunday (Feb. 23) at the conference championship in Bristol, Rhode Island.

The Springfield, Massachusetts native was a two-time NCAA Division III All-America for the Golden Bears after placing fourth at the nationals in the 142-lb, weight class in 1987 and fifth in 1988. He was the NECCWA 142-lb. champion in 1986, 1987, and 1988, and the meet MVP in 1987 and 1988. Smith served as the WNEC team captain in 1987 and 1988, and was the Golden Bears' MVP in 1987.

Smith, a 1989 Western New England College graduate, made an international splash when he won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 1992 Summer Olympic in Barcelona, Spain. He also competed and served as the team captain in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996. Smith was among the charter members inducted in the Western New England College Downs Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

For the past two years, Smith has served as an assistant wrestling coach at Western New England College working under his former coach (and 2002 NECCWA Hall of Famer) Bob Skelton. Former Golden Bears standout Gary Solomon, WNEC Class of 1986, also was inducted into the NECCWA Hall of Fame last year.

Friday-Sunday, Feb. 21-23, 2003
WNEC at NECCWA Championship at Rhode Island College (15th/15)

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2003
NECCWA JV Championship at Springfield College

Deryk Waller compiles tournament best four pins

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Congratulations to juniors Deryk Waller (Meriden, CT) and Chris Carriero (Albany, NY), and sophomore Eric Ahnrud (Gloucester, RI) who were finalists at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) JV Championship held at Springfield College.

Waller placed third in the heavyweight division finishing with four pins (the most in the tournament) and a nice trophy for his performance.

Ahnrud took fourth in the 149-lb. weight class while Carriero finished sixth in the 165-lb. weight class.

Friday, Feb. 14, 2003
Coast Guard 34, WNEC 12

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2003
MIT 26, WNEC 15

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003
Williams 36, WNEC 12
SUNY Oneonta 43, WNEC 9
Wesleyan 31, WNEC 15

Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003
WNEC 34, N.Y. Maritime 10
Trinity 53, WNEC 0

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003
Rhode Island College 39, WNEC 3

FRESHMAN JOHN OKO SELECTED AS THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 28, 2003) — Freshman John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Oko, a freshman, won four of five matches competing in the 174-lb. weight class for the Golden Bears. His best performance was an 8-6 victory over Brian Francis of Plymouth State College at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Dual Meet Championship. A biomedical engineering major, Oko has an 11-9 record.

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003
NECCWA Duals (New London, Conn.) (14th/15)

Norwich 43, WNEC 9
Plymouth State 32, WNEC 12
Southern Maine 28, WNEC 27
Williams 44, WNEC 6

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003
Hunter 39, WNEC 7
Johnson & Wales 29, WNEC 7

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2003
WNEC at Plymouth State Open (6th/7)

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003
WNEC at North-South Duals (Collegeville, Pa.)

Washington & Jefferson 34, WNEC 9
Thiel 33, WNEC 26
Ursinus 46, WNEC 6
Muhlenburg 35, WNEC 9

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002
NYU Invitational

Princeton 21, WNEC 3
NYU 42, WNEC 3
Roger Williams 39, WNEC 3
Kings Point 34, WNEC 3

Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002
Bridgewater State 34, WNEC 18
WNEC 40, Bryant 6 (club)

ANTHONY CORVINO SELECTED AS THE WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 26, 2002) — Freshman Anthony Corvino (Stratford, CT) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Corvino placed third in the 141-lb. weight class at the Springfield Doug Parker Invitational and fifth in his division at the Roger Williams Invitational. He won four of six matches at the Doug Parker event to improve his record to 12-6.

A computer science major, Corvino is fifth in his weight class in the latest New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) rankings.

Saturday, Nov. 23, 2002
WNEC at Springfield Doug Parker Invitational (15th/16)

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002
WNEC at Roger Williams Invitational (tie 12th/17)

Saturday, Nov. 9, 2002
WNEC at Ithaca Tournament (16th/16)

GOLDEN BEARS TO OPEN 2002-03 SEASON NOV. 8-9 AT ITHACA TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 22, 2002) — Western New England College's wrestling team will open its 2002-03 season Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, at the Ithaca College Tournament in ithaca, New York.

FORMER STANDOUTS BRIAN SOLOMON AND GARY SOLOMON INDUCTED INTO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

WNEC salutes brothers for contributions to program

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former Golden Bears standouts Brian J. Solomon '84 and his brother Gary J. Solomon '86 were among six individuals inducted into the fourth annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on September 21, 2002, during Homecoming Weekend.

Brian Solomon was a two-time All-America selection after placing second in the 167-lb. weight class at the 1984 NCAA Division III Championship and fifth at 158 pounds at the 1982 NAIA Tournament. He was twice a New England Division III champion and the 1982 tournament MVP. Solomon also was a three-time team MVP and a national academic award recipient in 1983 and 1984. A native of Southington, Connecticut, he earned his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He resides in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Gary Solomon was a four-time NCAA Division III/NAIA All-American in the 190-lb. weight class and a four-time New England Division III champion at both 177 and 190. He also was a two-time national academic award winner, a two-year team captain and twice the squad's and New England Division III Tournament MVP. This past winter Solomon was inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Division III Hall of Fame. A native of Southington, Connecticut, Solomon earned his bachelor of science degree in computer information system. He resides in Durham, Connecticut.

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.

The Class of 2002 also featured Peter M. Black '87, men's lacrosse, Joy E. Clark Cunningham '95, women's basketball/soccer; Alan J. Fabian '89, baseball, and former baseball, women's soccer, and women's tennis coach Patrick A. Ricci.

JEFF BOUYEA SELECTED FOR NCAA DIVISION III ALL-STAR TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 25, 2002) — Western New England College wrestling standout Jeff Bouyea of East Longmeadow has been named to the NCAA Division III All-Star Wrestling Team that will tour Europe beginning next week.

Bouyea, who competes in the 133-lb. weight class, will visit Varna and Sofia, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey from July 4-16. He will attend the All-Star Training Camp at the University of Scranton from July 1-3 and then leave the next day for the trip overseas.

Bouyea enjoyed a solid rookie season compiling a 14-11 record while earning the team's Most Improved Player Award. He will begin his sophomore year in August.

WNEC coach and East Longmeadow resident Bob Skelton again will serve as the team leader for the trip. This is the 13th consecutive year that he has traveled with the squad to Europe.

In other wrestling news, USA Wrestling has designated Western New England College as a National Regional Training Center. Skelton and former Olympic bronze medallist Rodney Smith (a 1989 WNEC graduate) are among those serving as clinicians for the program that will resume again in August.

Skelton and Smith also will be conducting The Total Wrestling Systems Camp for wrestlers of all ages from July 21-26 at WNEC. Further information may be obtained by calling 413-746-2142.

WNEC Winter Sports Banquet Saturday, April 6, 2002

Wrestling Award Recipients
Most Valuable Player – Senior Kayode Mason (Holderness, NH)
Most Improved Wrestler – Freshman Jeff Bouyea (East Longmeadow, MA)
Joe Leto Award – Sophomore Vinnie Leto (New Milford, CT)

COACH BOB SKELTON AND FORMER STANDOUT GARY SOLOMON NAMED TO NECCWA HALL OF FAME

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 15, 2002) — Western New England College coach Bob Skelton and former Golden Bears standout Gary Solomon will be among nine individuals inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Hall of Fame on Sunday (Feb. 17). The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. before the championship finals of the conference tournament at Blake Arena on the Springfield College campus.

Skelton, a resident of East Longmeadow, founded the WNEC wrestling program in 1975 and has compiled a 394-218-7 record (64.2 winning percentage) in 27 seasons. He was elected to the NCAA Division III Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 and the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton has coached 135 All-New England wrestlers, 27 New England champions, 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans, 34 All-Academic honorees, and an Olympic medallist (Rodney Smith who earned a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain).

Solomon was the NECCWA "Outstanding Wrestler" in both 1985 and 1986 after winning the 190-pound weight class title. He compiled an overall record of 121-16, including a 73-11 mark in dual-meet competition. Solomon was a Scholar-All America selection in 1984 and four-time New England champion. He received NCAA Division III All-America honors after placing fifth in 1984 and fourth in 1985. A 1986 WNEC graduate, Solomon resides in Durham, Connecticut with his wife Aggie and their five children.

SOPHOMORE MIKE MAYNARD NAMED WNEC MALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 29, 2002) — Sophomore wrestling standout Mike Maynard (Springfield, MA — Cathedral High School) was honored Tuesday (Jan. 29) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Maynard posted wins in the 157-lb. weight class over opponents from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and host N.Y. Maritime Academy last Saturday (Jan. 26). He has an 8-8 record in dual-meet competition and an overall mark of 11-12.

SENIOR KAYODE MASON SELECTED AS THE WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Jan. 8, 2002) — Senior wrestling standout Kayode Mason (Holderness, NH — Plymouth Regional High School) was honored Tuesday (Jan. 8) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Mason, a mechanical engineering major, won all three of his matches by pins over opponents from York College (Pa.), Southern Maine University, and Ursinus College (Pa.) at the North-South Duals Classic last Saturday (Jan. 5) in Hartford, Connecticut.

WNEC dropped its three matches against York (6-48), Southern Maine (13-28), and Ursinus (15-37).

FRESHMAN SANDRINO PLUTINO HONORED AS THE WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 11, 2001) — Freshman wrestling standout Sandrino Plutino (Pitman, NJ) was honored Tuesday (Dec. 11) as the Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week.

Plutino was named to the Williams Dual-Meet All-Tournament after defeating Aaron Sobol of New York University, 7-0, in the 165-lb. weight class. Plutino also recorded a 10-0 victory over Travis Banister of the University of Southern Maine that helped the Golden Bears win their first match of the season (34-24).

A criminal justice major, Plutino is a 2001 graduate of Pitman High School where he served as captain of the wrestling team while earning Tri-County All-Star First Team honors. He also was a member of the football squad.

Plutino's sister Brenna is a junior at Western New England College and a member of the field hockey and lacrosse teams.

JASON LaPAGLIA RANKED SIXTH AT 141 POUNDS IN NEW ENGLAND

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2001) — Western New England College senior Jason LaPaglia (Wayne, NJ) is sixth in the 141-lb weight class in the latest New England Division III rankings.

GOLDEN BEARS DONATE BLOOD

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 20, 2001) — Several members of the Western New England College's wrestling team donated blood Tuesday at the North End Distribution Center in Springfield.

WNEC 15TH AT ITHACA INVITATIONAL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's wrestling team opened its 2001-02 season by placing 15th at the Ithaca Invitational November 9-10 in Ithaca, New York.

COACH BOB SKELTON INDUCTED INTO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME SEPT. 22

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College wrestling coach Bob Skelton was among six individuals inducted into the third annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 22, during Homecoming Weekend.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Skelton started the Western New England College wrestling program in 1975 and has served as head coach of the Golden Bears for the past 26 years.

He ranks among the winningest NCAA Division III coaches in the nation with an all-time record of 389-199-7 for an impressive 66.0 winning percentage.

A former president of the NCAA Division III Wrestling Coaches Association, Skelton has coached 136 All-New England Division III performers, 27 New England champions, 13 NCAA Division III All-Americans, and 34 Academic All-Americans.

Skelton, a 1971 graduate of the University of Minnesota, was elected to the NCAA Division III National Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997. Among his top wrestlers was Rodney Smith who captured the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Skelton is a native of Brooklyn, New York.

Joining Skelton in the Hall of Fame were Steven M. Byrne '91, men's ice hockey; Kimberly A. Coia '95, women's basketball; Bruce F. Hambro '74, baseball, and Lori A. Mayhew '95, softball, and the late Richard F. "Dick" Burns, former Western New England College bowling coach.

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and coach William (Bill) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.

WRESTLING STAR CHRIS CHARTIER ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL TOUR OF EUROPE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College wrestling standout Chris Chartier (Deerfield, NH — Manchester Memorial High School) captured four of six matches this summer during an exhibition tour of Europe.

Chartier was a member of the NCAA Division III All-Star Team that spent two weeks traveling overseas. The highlight for Chartier was a 4-2 win over Greek Greco-Roman National Champion Iorgos Dionov in Athens, Greece.

Chartier, who competed in the 135-lb. weight class, also wrestled in Bulgaria and France.

A sophomore at Western New England College, Chartier posted a 16-6 record in his rookie season and placed third in the 125-lb. weight class at the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Championship.

WNEC coach Bob Skelton served as an assistant coach during the trip. He started the program 13 years ago, and has served as head coach and team leader in recent years.

Next year Skelton and his NCAA Division II All-Star Team tentatively plan to visit Austria, Bulgaria, and Turkey.

FORMER WRESTLING STANDOUT REY SANTIAGO WINS GOLD MEDAL AT LAW ENFORCEMENT GAMES

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Former Western New England College wrestling standout Rey Santiago won the gold medal in the 220-lb. Senior Freestyle weight class at the 2001 World Police and Law Enforcement Games June 14 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

He captured all five of his matches either by a pin or technical fall.

Santiago was a three-time New England champion during his undergraduate career (1986-90) and former assistant coach for the Golden Bears under coach Bob Skelton. He also was a member of the Puerto Rico National Team.

Santiago works as a counselor in the Department of Corrections at the Corrigan Correctional Institution in Montvale, Connecticut.

Santiago also was a state high school wrestling champion at Guilford High School.

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