Northern Oklahoma College is hosting the Tonkawa-Blackwell wrestling dual Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.Mid-high wrestling begins at 6 p.m. with the high school to follow at 7 p.m.The Maroons (5-5) are ranked #2 in Class 3A while the Bucs (8-2) are ranked #10.NOC is re-establishing wrestling in 2024 bringing back the men’s program and starting a women’s program.Bryan Kenney will be leading the men’s program while Jayden Miller will be coaching the women. Both Kenney and Miller will be at the Blackwell-Tonkawa dual on Jan. 16.Miller comes to NOC from Southwestern Oregon Community College where he served as an assistant for the men’s and women’s wrestling programs.“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity that Northern Oklahoma College has given me,” Miller said. “It has been a dream of mine to be a college head coach since I was little. To be the Inaugural Head Women’s Wrestling Coach at NOC is something I take with a great deal of pride.”Kenney comes to NOC from the Wylie, Texas, area where he currently leads the JJ Pearce High School Wrestling Program and is a Gold Certified Coach with USA Wrestling.“I first want to thank the NOC Wrestling Search Committee, Kenney said. “I truly appreciate the upcoming opportunity to reestablish the wrestling program at Northern Oklahoma College.”NOC Athletic Director Alan Foster is excited for Kenney and Miller for NOC wrestling.“Both have experience coaching both men and women wrestling so I think that is a huge benefit as they will assist each other. I am comfortable with their leadership abilities in this important time as we bring these new programs to fruition,” he added.“Jayden’s (Miller) experience at the college level brings an immediate understanding of recruiting and what is needed to run a college program,” Foster said.“Bryan’s (Kenney) experience in so many areas of managing and coaching top notch wrestling programs will come in so handy in dealing with all that comes with starting new programs,” he added.Admission to the dual is $5 per person.
