Ridgewater College looks to field a full, competitive lineup
By Matt Krumrie
Joey Brown expected a lot of firsts as a first-year college coach rebuilding an NJCAA wrestling program. But not being able to compete due to a pandemic was the type of unexpected that no one could have predicted. Along with Ridgewater, Minnesota NJCAA programs Northland Community & Technical College and Itasca Community College also canceled their 2020-2021 season. But the past is the past, and Brown enters his second season even more excited about the future of Ridgewater Wrestling.
"We look forward to finally getting back on the mat after a year off," said Brown, who spent five years as the head wrestling coach at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, WA, before coming to Ridgewater. In addition, Brown spent time as a football, wrestling, and throws coach at Central High School (OR), McKay High School (OR), and Lake Stevens High School (WA).
While the team didn't compete last season, Brown continued recruiting, promoting, and working tirelessly to grow the Ridgewater program. He's certainly caught the attention of local wrestlers - 12 Minnesotans are on the Ridgewater roster.