Alderson-Broaddus College Men's Wrestling

Gardner begins his second year behind the Battler bench after a strong first season as head coach in 2015-16.  The Battlers finished with a 10-4 overall record in the first season under Gardner. In the regional tournament, three wrestlers advanced to the second day of competition.  Keith Stednitz and Logan Shurina each advanced to day two action while Junior Cody Spinks finished in third place in the 184 pound weight class to become the first wrestler in AB history to advance to the NCAA Tournament, which was held in Sioux Falls, S.D. Gardner had successful stints as head coach of WVU Tech and McDaniel College. An acknowledged builder of programs, Gardner took the program at WVU Tech from 4 athletes to nearly 40 during his tenure, and lead the team to their first winning season and tournament championships, winning 17 of the final 22 duals he coached. Along the way he coach a number of national qualifiers, USCAA Champions, and Academic All-Americans. Prior to relocating to West Virginia Coach Sam was a fixture in Maryland wrestling circles as first an assistant, and eventually head wrestling coach at NCAA Div. III McDaniel College. While at McDaniel his teams were ranked among the top 25 on an annual basis, winning two championships and finishing runners-up four times in the Centennial Conference. Coach Gardner was fortunate enough to be in the corner of more than 20 Centennial Conference Champions, and watched many of his national qualifiers earn All-American status.  A 1994 graduate of Salisbury University, Coach Gardner was the team captain of the school's final wrestling squad. In 1996 Sam earned his M.A in Special Education from NJ City University, and began a career in education that lasted the better part of 15 years in the classroom. An avid reader and amateur chef, Coach Gardner began training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010, winning several international medals in 2011 and 2012, among other championships on a local, regional, and national level. His greatest joy is following the exploits of his two children in the classroom and the playing field. His daughter, Ani, is solid defender in field hockey and an aspiring gymnast. His son, Gray, is strong hockey player, and a goal-scoring, face-off winning middie in lacrosse.  Gardner resides in Philippi, W.Va.