Paul Biggs '16
Major: Mathematics
Occupation: Head Men's Wrestling Coach at Randolph College
Location: Eden, North Carolina
Athletic Accomplishments: National Qualifier and Academic All-American
My Ferrum College Experience: When I visited Ferrum College I instantly knew that's where I wanted to be, but I couldn't tell you why. After a few short weeks of class and wrestling it all made sense. Ferrum held true to its motto "Not Self, But Others". I was a first-generation student who had very little help and support, but my teammates, staff and coaches were always there when I needed them. Ferrum College will always be my second home.
Jamie Lee Carr '17
Major: Criminal Justice
Occupation: Deputy Sheriff
Location: Franklin County, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: 2nd NWCA Nationals
My Ferrum College Experience: While attending Ferrum, I was able to obtain a degree, compete, coach, and meet some awesome people including my wife, Bryanna Carr. It was an experience that I will never forget. The campus is extremely nice, the class sizes allow for more one on one time if needed, and the academic resources provided by Ferrum were extremely helpful. Lastly, the staff at Ferrum went above and beyond to assist me with my scheduling while obtaining my degree. I was a full-time student, worked a full-time job, served in the Army National Guard, and competed/coached. Not once was a staff member unwilling to work with me or try to assist me. They were always extremely helpful and made it possible for me to obtain a meaningful degree. For that, I'm forever thankful.
Ryan Clingenpeel '17
Major: Health Science (Chemistry and Biology minors)
Occupation: Pharmacist
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
My Ferrum College Experience: From an academic standpoint, the professors at Ferrum were extremely helpful in guiding me to fulfill my long-term goal of being a pharmacist. From a wrestling standpoint, it has been exciting to see what the coaching staff has done over the years from when I wrestled since the first D3 year of the program.
Tate Dulany '17
Major: Agricultural Business
Occupation: Ranch Manager, Cox Contracting
Location: Queensland, Australia
Athletic Accomplishments: Four-year starter, took 4th in the region twice and winning the Regional team title
My Ferrum Experience: It's hard to put down one single experience from Ferrum that has helped me get to where I am. I would say one however, is the fact that there is no substitute for hard work. If you are not the hardest working person then your goals will never be reached. If you are not the best person and teammate that you can be then you will hurt the team.
Logan Meister '17
Major: Philosophy
Occupation: Head Men's Wrestling coach at Ferrum College
Location: Ferrum, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: NCAA All American, Three-time NCAA Tournament Qualifier, Ferrum College President Cup Recipient, Outstanding Wrestler at Pete Willson/Wheaton Invitational
My Ferrum Experience: Wrestling in college has been the toughest and most formidable experience of my life. The friendships I made throughout my time at Ferrum made this place feel like home. I will always cherish my time at Ferrum College. Being back here as an assistant coach has been an incredibly rewarding experience.
Justin Zimmerman '17
Major: Health Science (Psychology minor)
Occupation: Athletic Trainer & Injury Prevention Specialist
Location: Buffalo, New York
Athletic Accomplishments: 2nd Team All-State 2014
My Ferrum College Experience: Ferrum was nothing short of life changing. I grew a lot as a person and an athlete during my four years. I made lifelong friends, amazing memories, and the lessons I learned in the wrestling room have and will continue to serve me well in achieving success for the rest of my life. I can look back at the time I spent at Ferrum College as pivotal in the trajectory my life has taken and I am grateful. From the professors to the coaches I cannot think of a better environment to set someone up for success athletically, academically and in life other than Ferrum. Go Panthers!
Mark Allan '18
Major: Social Studies
Occupation: Civics Teacher and wrestling coach at Hayfield High School
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: Team Regional Champions 2017
My Ferrum College Experience: My time at Ferrum College allowed me to become a well-rounded individual that I feel translates so well into my professional career. The wrestling program, specifically, taught me self-accountability that is a very important character trait to carry past your academic and athletic career.
Max Baker '18
Major: Political Science
Occupation: Elon University School of Law Student and Assistant Wrestling Coach at Greensboro College
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Athletic Accomplishments: As a team, I consider the top athletic accomplishments to be our 8th Place finish at the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2017. That same season, we won the NCAA Southeast Regional tournament, with a 30-point lead over Stevens Institute of Technology, who finished second. Individually, my greatest accomplishment would simply be having the privilege of saying I competed for four consecutive seasons under an unbelievable staff and alongside my best friends. I ended my career with two Academic All-Conference awards, highest team GPA for five semesters, two seasons with over 20 wins, and was unbeaten in conference matches my senior year.
My Ferrum College Experience: My four years at Ferrum College was definitely an experience. An unmatched experience at that, one I am grateful for. I remember fairly vividly what it was like applying to schools my senior year in high school. I was never close to being the best student, and it seemed like this little school in the mountains with a brand new wrestling program was willing to take a chance on me, so I decided to take a chance on it.
When I look back at the first time I stepped onto Ferrum's campus, it shocks me to recognize how much I have grown. Originally, I am from Norfolk, Virginia, so going from a major city to the mountains was a huge culture shock. At first, I questioned my decision and despised the rural community. This feeling last for about a year until I realized how much a student can benefit from Ferrum. It offered an environment where it is extremely easy to focus on academics but also allowed me to focus on myself. I was able to find out which type of people I like to keep company with, how I learn best, which schedules work for me as an individual, and most importantly I learned what I wanted to do with my life after school.
From a team perspective, the closeness of the Ferrum campus made it feel like a real family, which helped me immensely. The team ate together, went to class together, and often lived in the same dorms. Any kind of homesickness or isolated feeling that a lot of young college students experience was quickly cast aside when I saw my teammates.
Athletically, an NCAA wrestling season is one of the longest of any sports. That's not including any pre or post season workouts. It took me a while to look at the practices as an opportunity to get better instead of something I just needed to get through. But once that shift in mindset occurred it made everything else in life easier. I credit this exclusively to my coaches and the Ferrum community. My wrestling began taking off, my grades rose to the top of the team GPA list, and my interpersonal relationships got stronger. I became very goal oriented as a result. I looked to get the most out of everything I did, as challenges became an opportunity to learn and grow.
If it were not for Ferrum, I have not a clue where I would be right now. I just know that place wouldn't be law school and in my third year coaching at Greensboro College. So, when I look back at my Ferrum College experience one word comes to mind; serendipity. I went to Ferrum almost by chance, but what I found there taught me more about myself and life in general than I could have ever thought possible.
Jacob Bonds '18
Major: Health and Human Performance, Exercise Science
Occupation: Serious Steel Fitness, Wrestling Coach at Blacksburg High School
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: Winning four Virginia team state titles and coaching my first individual state champion last year
My Ferrum College Experience: I think I was the second or third commitment to Ferrum overall, so being a part of the "first group of guys" at the beginning of the program itself was an awesome experience. We were pushed to the limits so it was great to be a part of that every-day battle with the team. I loved the culture of the school. Having small classes, more personal relationships with professors, and most of the student body being athletes were huge perks for me.
Hunter Goulart '19
Major: Health Science
Occupation: Firefighter, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: NWCA Scholar All-American, 2X Southeast Wrestling Conference Champion
My Ferrum Experience: My time at Ferrum College helped me cultivate an ethos of work ethic, dedication, and grit that has carried over and aided me in all parts of my life.
Tyrique Nolen '19
Major: Media and Communication
Occupation: Morning Show Producer at WFIR 107.3
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishment: Big Win Award recipient after defeating a National Qualifier at our home dual meet.
My Ferrum Experience: My time at Ferrum College was the best experience I've ever had! I met some of the best people and made some of my best friends at Ferrum. I can't thank all of my advisors, coaches and professors enough for all that they have done for me. As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew it was the right place for me.
Tyler "Blake" Rosenbaum '19
Major: Criminal Justice Major
Occupation: Construction for Property Catalyst Group, Head Coach for BRWC
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishments: NCAA National Qualifier, NCAA Regional Champion
My Ferrum Experience: Deciding to go to Ferrum was one of the best decisions of my life. I knew after the first day on campus I was home. What I really liked is the people, everyone on staff to the President wanted to see me succeed. I met some of my best friends and my girlfriend at Ferrum. I'm happy I live so close and I'm still able to help the wrestling team continue to chase a national title. Go Panthers!
Devante Robertson '19
Major: Health and Human Performance in Exercise Science
Occupation: Exercise Physiologist
Location: Salem, Virginia
Athletic Accomplishment: Winning the team Championship at the Builder Open
My Ferum Experience: My Ferrum College experience was absolutely special. The things I learned through not only wrestling, but Ferrum as a whole I use daily in my field of practice. Being in a family oriented environment the main thing I learned was that it isn't always about me, but it was about the community, teammates, and how you want to be remembered. At Ferrum I truly learned that it's not always about yourself...it's about others.
Bobby Ziehfreund '19
Majors: Health Science, Business
Occupation: General Manager at Stretch Zone
Location: Denver, Colorado
Athletic Accomplishments: 2016-2017 Conference Champ
My Ferrum Experience: I don't regret nor do I take for granted the time and experience wrestling at the collegiate level. I faced discomfort on a daily basis both in and outside of the wrestling room during my time and now can face life's challenges with ease. The real world is a cake walk after wrestling at Ferrum College under Coach Riggs.
Carlos Leyva '20
Major: Business Administration (Finance Management)
Occupation: Owner of Construction Company, Assistant Wrestling Coach at Benedictine College Prep
Location: Richmond, Va
Athletic Achievements: 2-year starter, 2x conference placer, Team Regional Champions 2017
My Ferrum College Experience: My Ferrum College experience was nothing short of a journey. Unlike most of my teammates, the path to my 4-year degree took 6; with a year in between. Although my path was longer, it was an unmatched experience, one that I will forever be grateful for. Being the first in my family to attend college came with a lot of responsibility and pressure, but Ferrum made it possible for me. I will admit that after 2 recruiting visits, I was not 100% sold on the school but I decided to take a chance on it anyway and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Ferrum quickly became my home away from home. It provided an environment for one to flourish in if you take advantage of it. Although it took me until after my first year to get on track academically, once I did; I did not look back. I ended my time at Ferrum making Dean's List 3 times out of the remaining
Pablo Zanistaniviticus '20
Major: Liberal Studies with Minors in Spanish, Sociology, and History
Occupation: Broker Agent Service Analyst with United Healthcare and Assistant Wrestling Coach at Centreville High School
Location: Centreville, VA
Athletic Achievements: All-Conference at Southeast Wrestling Conference and Team Regional Champion 2017
My Ferrum College Experience: Ferrum College was a big risk for me considering many things. My parents were not college graduates and Ferrum's local area was different from where I grew up. . I am from the northern Virginia area where it is mostly suburban/urban as compared to the rural scene in Ferrum. I was a part of the first several years of the program. I signed up for a lifestyle at Ferrum that was going to be challenging and fulfilling and got exactly that. The hardships, battles, and relationships I built during my time at Ferrum are things I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Braden Homsey '23
Major: Secondary Education: English Emphasis
Occupation: English Teacher @ Benjamin Franklin Middle School, Assistant Ferrum Wrestling Coach
Location: Ferrum, Va
Athletic Achievements: 2x National Qualifier, Conference Champ, NWCA All-American Third Team,Academic All-American
My Ferrum College Experience: When I came to Ferrum I instantly knew that I had found my place and the people I made friends with along the way only helped me solidify that gut feeling. Wrestling for Ferrum was a blessing and I gained valuable experience and memories because of it. Ferrum is a place where it's impossible to not grow positively as a person and I would recommend it to anyone.
Christian Hite '23
Major: Exercise and Sports Studies, Masters in Athletic Coaching
Occupation: Assistant Wrestling Coach at Ferrum College/Assistant Manager at Ferrum College Fitness Center
Location: Ferrum, VA
Athletic Achievements: NWCA Scholar All-American, SE Regional Placer (6th)
My Ferrum College Experience: My experience at Ferrum College was overall a great experience. I was welcomed with open arms by the wrestling program here and they helped me accomplish lots of things I never imagined accomplishing coming out of high school. I wouldn't have become the person I am today without the close friends I made through wrestling that quickly became family to me. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to wrestle here and wouldn't trade it for anything else.
George Mitchell '23
Major: Health and Human Performance: Health & Fitness Management
Occupation: Health & PE Coach at Benjamin Syms Middle School
Location: Hampton, VA
My Ferrum College Experience: My time at Ferrum was an extraordinary experience that surpassed my expectations. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I had found my second family. The connections and bonds I formed during my four years there are irreplaceable and will forever hold a special place in my heart. The unique sense of community and camaraderie that Ferrum nurtures not only made those years unforgettable but also played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. Whether on the mat or in everyday life, Ferrum's environment fueled my drive toward excellence. The unwavering support I received from both peers and mentors alike propelled me forward. Reflecting on those formative years, I'm reminded that I will always carry the spirit of Gold and Black within me.
Hayden Funck '23
Major: Business Administration: Management
Occupation: COO, Funck Brothers Enterprises, Inc
Location: Annville, Pennsylvania
My Ferrum College Experience: My Ferrum College Experience: Ferrum gave me the best college experience I could have asked for and more.The academic experience was very interactive and beneficial as the small class sizes often lead to discussion as well as being able to receive help from professors. All the staff at Ferrum are there to see you succeed in the classroom and at life, from coaches to professors, as well as custodial staff and all the way up to the president. Having this abundance of resources and help made my time at Ferrum College not only stress free but an enjoyable college experience.
Brandon Harrison '23
Major: Criminal Justice
Occupation: Law Student, Legal intern at Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney's Office
Location: Lynchburg, Virginia
My Ferrum College Experience: Ferrum felt like home from the moment I went to visit the campus. The beautiful forest reminded me a lot of back home, and the community made it feel even more so. There aren't many colleges in the country that you can go to where the professors take an active interest in your growth as a student and a person, where you also have a student body where everyone interacts so much that when you walk around campus you know almost everyone by name. The wrestling program was just the icing on the cake and allowed a shy kid from a small town like myself to immediately have a close group of friends that did everything together. The coaching and athletic staff were incredibly influential during my time there in the amazing workout program designed for the team, the detailed training sessions, and incredible recovery methods of the athletic training staff. Ferrum was the perfect place to help me grow both in my career and as a person.
