Ferrum, Va. – Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced that Logan Meister ’17 has been promoted to Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at Ferrum College.
Meister assumes control of the Panther men’s wrestling program following the departure of Ryan Riggs, who accepted the head wrestling coach position at the University of Mount Union.
Meister wrestled four years for the Panthers under Head Coach Nate Yetzer and was part of the inaugural graduating class of Ferrum men’s wrestling. He was a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-America in 2016 and 2017 and graduated from Ferrum with a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy in 2017.
Upon graduation, Meister served as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2017-18 season before enrolling in graduate school at McDaniel College, where he served as a graduate assistant wrestling coach during the 2018-19 school year. He earned his Master’s Degree in Kinesiology from McDaniel in 2020. Meister returned to Ferrum in 2019-20 as a part-time assistant coach. He was promoted into the full-time assistant coaching spot the following year.
“I am very excited to welcome Logan Meister as the new head coach of Ferrum College men’s wrestling,” said Sutyak. “Ferrum became a national program in a relatively short period of time since its inception and Logan was a part of that from day 1. His experience in recruiting, strength training and coaching make this an easy transition for us to name him our next head coach and I am thrilled we are keeping a valued individual, and alum, here at Ferrum.”
Meister is one of the pioneers of Ferrum’s men’s wrestling program. He was a freshman in Ferrum’s first varsity wrestling season in 2013-14. He placed third at 141 pounds at the 2014 NCAA East Regional to become Ferrum’s first NCAA Div. III qualifier. He qualified again for the NCAA Tournament in 2016 when he won the NCAA Southeast Regional, then became Ferrum’s first NCAA All-American in wrestling when he placed sixth at 157 pounds at the NCAA Tournament.
Meister qualified again for the NCAA Tournament in 2017 when he placed second at 157 pounds at the NCAA Southeast Regional and led the Panthers to their first NCAA regional title. He won two individual titles at the prestigious Pete Willson Memorial Tournament in Illinois in 2016 and 2017, both at 157 pounds. He capped his career by earning the Ferrum College President’s Cup in 2017.
Logan Meister’s Firsts at Ferrum2014 - First NCAA qualifier2014 - First wrestler to win a match at the NCAA Tournament2016 - First NCAA regional champion2016 - First 2-time NCAA qualifier2016 - First All-American in wrestling (6th, 157 lbs)2016 - First Pete Willson Memorial champion2017 - First 3-time NCAA qualifier2017 - First 2-time Pete Willson Memorial champion2017 - First wrestler to earn Ferrum President’s Cup
Meister is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, and Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Specialist. He is also certified in American Red Cross and First Aid.
“The opportunity to lead the Ferrum College men’s wrestling program comes with great honor,” said Meister. “I have been fortunate to grow with this program as a student athlete, as a coach, and as a person, since our first varsity season in 2013. I appreciate my friends and mentors who have helped me progress in my coaching career, Ryan Riggs, Nate Yetzer, Mason Goretsas and Gary Holden. A special thank you to Athletic Director John Sutyak and President Dr. David Johns for their faith and confidence in my ability to take our great wrestling program to new heights. As always, Go Panthers!”
Meister is the third head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum, following Nate Yetzer (7 seasons, 2014-20) and Riggs (1 season, 2021). The Panthers are scheduled to open the 2021-22 season Wednesday, November 3, at home against Washington and Lee University.