Maryville University of Saint Louis Men's Wrestling

Denney was named the first ever Maryville University Wrestling Head Coach on June 1st, 2011. Denneys wrestling teams had won 3 consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships and 6 of the last 8 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). A new Athletic Director eliminated the wrestling program after 63 years of wrestling. Coach Denney had been the coach of the program for the last 32 years. Maryville was faced with an extraordinary opportunity to say the least, said Mark Lombardi, PHD. President of Maryville University.We enthusiastically welcome Coach Denney to our Maryville community and to St Louis, and look forward to a winning wrestling tradition. Denney had been voted 2011 InterMat Coach of the year. This award recognizes the top college wrestling coach across all NCAA divisions. He was named the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year 1981, 1991, and 2009. Denney coached at UNO for 32 seasons. He possesses a career dual record of 331-117-5 (.730). During that stretch, Denney claimed 7 national titles: his first in 1991, 3 in a row from 2004- 2006 and then three more in a row from 2009-2011. UNO finished in the NCAA Division II top 10 for all but one season during his tenure. Included in that run are 23 top 3 finishes and 27 top 5 placements. It isnt every day that a coach gets the chance to create a college wrestling program from scratch, but thats exactly the opportunity we have been blessed to receive at Maryville, said Denney. Bonnie and I feel like we are called here to help build a new wrestling program and to continue teaching and building young men. Denney, who is known for his positive approach and his perseverance, believes that success in coaching results from passion for ones work. His philosophy is evidenced by the academic achievements of his wrestlers: 67 have been recognized as NCAA Division II NWCA Academic All-Americans during his coaching tenure at UNO and Maryville. Denney was a 4 year starter and All-Conference and All-District performer in football and wrestling at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 1999. A versatile athlete, Denney played 7 years of semi-pro football for the Omaha Mustangs and currently holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Judo. He still enjoys training in Judo and Jiutsu. He has placed many years in the National Masters Judo Championships and in 1982 won the Championship at 209 pounds. Mike and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 47 years. Bonnie is very involved with the wrestling program. They have 3 children: Rocky, Michealene, and Luke. Rocky and his wife, Shannon, both received their undergraduate degrees and played college soccer at Rockhurst University. They have 3 children: Brock Maher Denney, Cael Alexander Denney, and Olivia Lynne Denney. Mikki completed her undergraduate and playing career at the University of Minnesota. She was the Golden Gophers Head Womens Soccer Coach from 2000- 2012. Mikki is married to Shane Wright. Shane received his undergraduate degree and played baseball at Texas Tech. They have 2 children: Forrest Denney Wright and Duke Markus Wright. Luke played football at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and finished his college career playing soccer at Rockhurst. He owns and runs CrossFit Diem, a CrossFit box in Kansas City. He is married to Heather Brandt who has two children, Carter and Hadlee. Rocky, Michealene and Luke are all coaching.   MIKE DENNEYS CAREER AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2016) Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2015) 2011-12 Maryville Inaugural Wrestling team Selected InterMat Coach of the Year for All Divisions (2011) Named NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year (1981, 1991, 2009) Inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame (2009) Named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year (2006) Selected Win Magazines Dan Gable Coach of the Year (2006) Inducted into the Omaha Bryan High School Hall of Fame (2006) Inducted into the Omaha South High School Hall of Fame (2005) Awarded the University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellors Medal (2004) Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Association Guy Mytty Memorial Award (2004) Inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame (1988) Inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999) Received the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award (1999) Named the Dakota Wesleyan University Alumni Coach of the Year (1997) Earned Omaha Sportscasters Association Sportsman of the Year (1991) Named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year (1991) Selected to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee where he was chairman and director (1986-1992) Elected President of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association where he served 1988-1990 Inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1986) Inducted into the Metro Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1984) Named Dakota Wesleyan University Young Alumnus of the Year (1981) Received the High School Wrestling Coach of the Year award by the Metro Wrestling Coaches (1975) Selected as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America (1969) All-Conference and All-District in football and wrestling (1968-69)   Mike Denney Head Wrestling Coach HEAD COACH, 1979-PRESENT 48TH SEASON COACHING 331-117-5   6TH SEASON AT MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY 7 NCAA NATIONAL TITLES 3-TIME NCAA II NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR BACHELORS: DAKOTA WESLEYAN MASTERS: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA      EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE ENDORSEMENT: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA ABOUT MIKE DENNEY Mike Denney was named the first ever Maryville University Wrestling Head Coach on June 1st, 2011. Denneys wrestling teams had won 3 consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships and 6 of the last 8 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). A new Athletic Director eliminated the wrestling program after 63 years of wrestling. Coach Denney had been the coach of the program for the last 32 years. Maryville was faced with an extraordinary opportunity to say the least, said Mark Lombardi, PHD. President of Maryville University.We enthusiastically welcome Coach Denney to our Maryville community and to St Louis, and look forward to a winning wrestling tradition. Denney had been voted 2011 InterMat Coach of the year. This award recognizes the top college wrestling coach across all NCAA divisions. He was named the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year 1981, 1991, and 2009. Denney coached at UNO for 32 seasons. He possesses a career dual record of 331-117-5 (.730). During that stretch, Denney claimed 7 national titles: his first in 1991, 3 in a row from 2004- 2006 and then three more in a row from 2009-2011. UNO finished in the NCAA Division II top 10 for all but one season during his tenure. Included in that run are 23 top 3 finishes and 27 top 5 placements. It isnt every day that a coach gets the chance to create a college wrestling program from scratch, but thats exactly the opportunity we have been blessed to receive at Maryville, said Denney. Bonnie and I feel like we are called here to help build a new wrestling program and to continue teaching and building young men. Denney, who is known for his positive approach and his perseverance, believes that success in coaching results from passion for ones work. His philosophy is evidenced by the academic achievements of his wrestlers: 67 have been recognized as NCAA Division II NWCA Academic All-Americans during his coaching tenure at UNO and Maryville. Denney was a 4 year starter and All-Conference and All-District performer in football and wrestling at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 1999. A versatile athlete, Denney played 7 years of semi-pro football for the Omaha Mustangs and currently holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Judo. He still enjoys training in Judo and Jiutsu. He has placed many years in the National Masters Judo Championships and in 1982 won the Championship at 209 pounds. Mike and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 47 years. Bonnie is very involved with the wrestling program. They have 3 children: Rocky, Michealene, and Luke. Rocky and his wife, Shannon, both received their undergraduate degrees and played college soccer at Rockhurst University. They have 3 children: Brock Maher Denney, Cael Alexander Denney, and Olivia Lynne Denney. Mikki completed her undergraduate and playing career at the University of Minnesota. She was the Golden Gophers Head Womens Soccer Coach from 2000- 2012. Mikki is married to Shane Wright. Shane received his undergraduate degree and played baseball at Texas Tech. They have 2 children: Forrest Denney Wright and Duke Markus Wright. Luke played football at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and finished his college career playing soccer at Rockhurst. He owns and runs CrossFit Diem, a CrossFit box in Kansas City. He is married to Heather Brandt who has two children, Carter and Hadlee. Rocky, Michealene and Luke are all coaching.   MIKE DENNEYS CAREER AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2016) Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2015) 2011-12 Maryville Inaugural Wrestling team Selected InterMat Coach of the Year for All Divisions (2011) Named NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year (1981, 1991, 2009) Inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame (2009) Named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year (2006) Selected Win Magazines Dan Gable Coach of the Year (2006) Inducted into the Omaha Bryan High School Hall of Fame (2006) Inducted into the Omaha South High School Hall of Fame (2005) Awarded the University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellors Medal (2004) Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Association Guy Mytty Memorial Award (2004) Inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame (1988) Inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999) Received the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award (1999) Named the Dakota Wesleyan University Alumni Coach of the Year (1997) Earned Omaha Sportscasters Association Sportsman of the Year (1991) Named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year (1991) Selected to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee where he was chairman and director (1986-1992) Elected President of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association where he served 1988-1990 Inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1986) Inducted into the Metro Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1984) Named Dakota Wesleyan University Young Alumnus of the Year (1981) Received the High School Wrestling Coach of the Year award by the Metro Wrestling Coaches (1975) Selected as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America (1969) All-Conference and All-District in football and wrestling (1968-69)   Mike Denney Head Wrestling Coach HEAD COACH, 1979-PRESENT 48TH SEASON COACHING 331-117-5   6TH SEASON AT MARYVILLE UNIVERSITY 7 NCAA NATIONAL TITLES 3-TIME NCAA II NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR BACHELORS: DAKOTA WESLEYAN MASTERS: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA      EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE ENDORSEMENT: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA OMAHA ABOUT MIKE DENNEY Mike Denney was named the first ever Maryville University Wrestling Head Coach on June 1st, 2011. Denneys wrestling teams had won 3 consecutive NCAA Division II National Championships and 6 of the last 8 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO). A new Athletic Director eliminated the wrestling program after 63 years of wrestling. Coach Denney had been the coach of the program for the last 32 years. Maryville was faced with an extraordinary opportunity to say the least, said Mark Lombardi, PHD. President of Maryville University.We enthusiastically welcome Coach Denney to our Maryville community and to St Louis, and look forward to a winning wrestling tradition. Denney had been voted 2011 InterMat Coach of the year. This award recognizes the top college wrestling coach across all NCAA divisions. He was named the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year 1981, 1991, and 2009. Denney coached at UNO for 32 seasons. He possesses a career dual record of 331-117-5 (.730). During that stretch, Denney claimed 7 national titles: his first in 1991, 3 in a row from 2004- 2006 and then three more in a row from 2009-2011. UNO finished in the NCAA Division II top 10 for all but one season during his tenure. Included in that run are 23 top 3 finishes and 27 top 5 placements. It isnt every day that a coach gets the chance to create a college wrestling program from scratch, but thats exactly the opportunity we have been blessed to receive at Maryville, said Denney. Bonnie and I feel like we are called here to help build a new wrestling program and to continue teaching and building young men. Denney, who is known for his positive approach and his perseverance, believes that success in coaching results from passion for ones work. His philosophy is evidenced by the academic achievements of his wrestlers: 67 have been recognized as NCAA Division II NWCA Academic All-Americans during his coaching tenure at UNO and Maryville. Denney was a 4 year starter and All-Conference and All-District performer in football and wrestling at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota. He was inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 1988 and the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 1999. A versatile athlete, Denney played 7 years of semi-pro football for the Omaha Mustangs and currently holds a Third Degree Black Belt in Judo. He still enjoys training in Judo and Jiutsu. He has placed many years in the National Masters Judo Championships and in 1982 won the Championship at 209 pounds. Mike and his wife, Bonnie, have been married 47 years. Bonnie is very involved with the wrestling program. They have 3 children: Rocky, Michealene, and Luke. Rocky and his wife, Shannon, both received their undergraduate degrees and played college soccer at Rockhurst University. They have 3 children: Brock Maher Denney, Cael Alexander Denney, and Olivia Lynne Denney. Mikki completed her undergraduate and playing career at the University of Minnesota. She was the Golden Gophers Head Womens Soccer Coach from 2000- 2012. Mikki is married to Shane Wright. Shane received his undergraduate degree and played baseball at Texas Tech. They have 2 children: Forrest Denney Wright and Duke Markus Wright. Luke played football at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and finished his college career playing soccer at Rockhurst. He owns and runs CrossFit Diem, a CrossFit box in Kansas City. He is married to Heather Brandt who has two children, Carter and Hadlee. Rocky, Michealene and Luke are all coaching.   MIKE DENNEYS CAREER AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2016) Selected Super Region III Coach of the Year (2015) 2011-12 Maryville Inaugural Wrestling team Selected InterMat Coach of the Year for All Divisions (2011) Named NCAA Division II Wrestling Coach of the Year (1981, 1991, 2009) Inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame (2009) Named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year (2006) Selected Win Magazines Dan Gable Coach of the Year (2006) Inducted into the Omaha Bryan High School Hall of Fame (2006) Inducted into the Omaha South High School Hall of Fame (2005) Awarded the University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellors Medal (2004) Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Association Guy Mytty Memorial Award (2004) Inducted into the Dakota Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame (1988) Inducted into the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999) Received the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education Distinguished Alumni Award (1999) Named the Dakota Wesleyan University Alumni Coach of the Year (1997) Earned Omaha Sportscasters Association Sportsman of the Year (1991) Named the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coach of the Year (1991) Selected to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee where he was chairman and director (1986-1992) Elected President of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches Association where he served 1988-1990 Inducted into the Nebraska Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1986) Inducted into the Metro Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame (1984) Named Dakota Wesleyan University Young Alumnus of the Year (1981) Received the High School Wrestling Coach of the Year award by the Metro Wrestling Coaches (1975) Selected as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America (1969) All-Conference and All-District in football and wrestling (1968-69)  

Director of Hockey John Hogan named Tommy Lange as the program’s first Women’s Head Cockey Coach at Maryville in the spring of 2020. A St. Louis native, Lange came to Maryville with an immense amount of professional and women’s youth hockey experience. After playing junior hockey in St. Louis and Canada, Lange spent eight seasons playing professional hockey in the IHL, ECHL, CHL, Netherlands, and SPHL. After hanging up the skates in 2013, Lange assumed the women’s head coaching position with the U14 St. Louis AAA Lady Blues in 2015. For the next 3 seasons, Tommy was at the helm of the program’s U14, U16, and U19 teams. The Maryville Women’s Hockey Team started competing in the 2020-21 season at the ACHA Women’s 1 level in the Women’s Midwest College Hockey Conference (WMCH). Lange has also been instrumental in recruiting a second women’s team at Maryville, which will play its first season in the Fall of 2022 at the ACHA Women’s 2 level.  

Ryan Payton was hired in the winter of 2021 as the first ACHA Women’s 2 Head Coach. Payton and Head Coach Tommy Lange were in charge of recruiting the University’s first ACHA Women’s 2 team – which will begin competition in the fall of 2022. Payton has coached hockey since 2009, beginning with three seasons as the Eureka High School junior varsity and varsity coach. In 2012, he made the jump to Rockwood Summit High School where he coached for three seasons, winning a High School Wickenheiser Cup Championship in 2015. After coaching boys for six seasons, he made the jump to the women’s side of the game in 2017. For two years, he was the head coach of the 16U AAA Lady Blues. From 2019 to 2021, he coached the 14U AAA Lady Blues. “We are excited to have Coach Payton join our program,” said John Hogan, Director of Hockey at Maryville. “His love for the game, connections, reputation in town, and coaching the best girls in town for the past four seasons make him a perfect fit to join our staff. He coached with Coach Lange in the AAA Lady Blues program for a couple of years, so they really know and work well with each other. We can’t wait to see him lead our inaugural Women’s 2 team this season.” Professionally, Payton founded and runs his own client-based fitness company, Innov8. He currently resides in Fenton, Missouri.  

Charlie Sherertz was named the second head coach in the history of the Wrestling program on June 13, 2023. Sherertz brings a wealth of expertise to the position, having previously served as the head wrestling coach at Whitfield School in Creve Coeur, Mo. During his tenure at Whitefield, he developed a reputation for nurturing talent and building a culture of sportsmanship. His accolades include winning Missouri Wrestling Coach of the Year 12 times, 11 state championships, and coaching 60 individual state champions. Sherertz’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive team environment has garnered respect from both athletes and peers. In addition to working with the Whitfield program, Sherertz has coached for the Team St. Louis Wrestling Club since 2005, with prior experience at Berkeley High School and three seasons of experience as an assistant at the University of Missouri.   His athletic accomplishments are equally as impressive, qualifying for the NCAA Division I National Tournament two times in his collegiate career at Mizzou while winning a spot on the 1988 NCAA Division I All-America Team. In 1985, he was selected to the USA Wrestling 20U World Freestyle Team where he became a Freestyle National Champion.  Sherertz earned a Master's of Educational Administration in 1993 from the University of Missouri after completing a Bachelor of Education a few years prior. He currently resides in St. Charles, Mo. 

Morgan finishes his 6th season with the Maryville Saints as an assistant after a very successful collegiate career under Coach Mike Denney at UNO. Morgan compiled a career record of 130-38 at Nebraska Omaha, and earned several honors and awards in a decorative four year career. Mario is married to Kate Morgan and they have a daughter, Jaiyden. A former National Champion, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff. Mario is Assistant Director of Admissions at Maryville University.   HONORS AND AWARDS 2011 Selected Nebraska College Athlete of the year 2011 NCAA Division II National Champion 2011 NCAA Division II All-American, 1st place 2011 NCAA Super Regional Champion 2011 TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week 2010 NCAA Division II Runner-Up 2010 NCAA Division II All-American, 2nd place 2010 NCAA Super Regional Champion 2010 UNO Double Platinum Award (40 wins) 2010 UNO Jesse Greise Award 2010 One of UNOs Outstanding Juniors 2010 UNO OOOSSS Award (10X) 2010 UNO Wrestler of the Week (13X) 2010 100 career victories 2009 NCAA Division II All-American, 3rd place 2009 UNO Gold Award (33 wins) 2009 UNO Most Improved Wrestler 2009 UNO Wrestler of the Week (11X) 2009 Regional Champion 2008 UNOs Silver Award winner (27 wins) 2008 UNOs OOOSSS Award (4X) 2008 NCC Wrestler of the Week 2008 UNOs Ironman Award 2008 UNO Wrestler of the Week (9X)  

Cardy Wilson joined the Maryville wrestling coaching staff in July 2024 as an assistant coach. He comes to the Saints after a standout Division I career at SIU Edwardsville.   As a senior, Wilson was named a NWCA Scholar All-American and earned Academic All-Mid-American Conference Scholar honors. He placed sixth at the 2023 MAC Championships and recorded 13 wins on the season. He was a two-time MAC Conference place winner and finished in the top eight at the 2022 Midlands Tournament. Prior to SIUE, Wilson was a National Champion and a two-time NJCAA All-American at Ellsworth Community College at 149 pounds. He was twice a Florida State state qualifier and was a state runner-up in 2018. Wilson also was an ICCAC Student-Athlete of the Year finalist in 2019-20.   Wilson graduated from SIU Edwardsville with a bachelor’s degree in integrative studies and also earned his master’s in kinesiology from SIUE.