Wayland Baptist University Men's Wrestling

Stryder Davis, a national champion as a competitor and a rising star as a coach, was named head men's and women's wrestling coach at Wayland Baptist University in May 2022.   Davis comes to Wayland from Corban University, an NAIA school in Salem, Ore., where he was head women's wrestling coach and assistant men's wrestling coach. Davis has achieved great success throughout his career inlcuding: 2x NAIA National Champion at Montana State - Northern OW Outstanding Wrestler award of the 2005 Tournament 2nd at the prestigious Las Vegas Invitational Brazilian Jiu-jistu Brown Belt Former professional mixed martial artist Master's degree in Excercise Science and Fitness Management Athletic Hall of Fame at Montana State - Northern 2x All-American at North Idaho College (2nd and 3rd) Davis is married to Kimberly Davis, and they have 5 children - Reagan (daughter, plays softball at WBU), Riley (son, wrestles at D-1 University of Wyoming), Ryann (daughter, junior at Randall HS), Reese (daughter, freshman at Randall HS), and Rory (daughter, 6th grade at Pinnacle MS). "I'm excited to lead the next chapter at Wayland Baptist," Davis said. "I have high goals for the program and aim to bring Wayland wrestling and Texas wrestling to the next level, all while honoring God."   "Coach Davis will be a great fit for Wayland and our wrestling program. We are excited to welcome him to the Wayland Pioneer family," said Dr. Claude Lusk, WBU's senior vice president of operations and student life.   Added WBU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics William Weidner, "Stryder Davis is a proven winner and a builder of programs who knows first-hand what it takes to be a champion."   Davis becomes the fourth head coach in the 12-year history of Pioneer wrestling, joining Johnny Cobb, Aaron Meister and Kiiler Stephens. Mich Napier served as acting head coach during the 2021-22 season.    "Wayland was the first college in Texas to add men's and women's wrestling. They have a very supportive administration and a strong foundation that I'm thrilled about," Davis said.  

Nolan came to Wayland to coach in the fall of 2014 after serving as a graduate assistant at Northern State University (Aberdeen, S.D.) from 2012 to 2014. While at Northern State, Nolan coached two national qualifiers, one national finalist, and the Wolves were ranked 17 th in the nation academically. Nolan received his Masters of Education from Northern State in 2014. Nolan also coached at Legends of Gold National Training Center Beresford, S.D. from 2011 to 2014. While at LOG, Nolan helped lead the K-8 th grade teams to a top-5 national ranking, coached multiple youth national champions and high school individual state champions, and coached five Fargo All-Americans and two Fargo national champions. Nolan attended San Francisco State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2012. Nolan was a three-time national qualifier and three-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference placer, winning the conference championship as a senior. In 2011, Nolan was an NCAA Division-II All-American for the Gators. In 2007, Nolan graduated from Quincy High School in Quincy, Calif. where he was ranked in the top-12 in the state of California as a senior. Nolan was a two-time section finalist and won the section once. Nolan was also a member of the California National Team in 2006 and 2007.    

Meister brings a great deal of collegiate experience to the Wayland Baptist wrestling programs, both as a competitor and as a coach. 

Mena joins Wayland Baptist after serving as a three-time US National Freestyle Team Member, a four-time NCAA All-American at the University of Iowa, and four-time undefeated State High School champion.   Mena previously coached at Indiana University, where he served as the Assistant Coach for nine seasons before moving on to be the Assistant Coach at California State University – Bakersfield.   During Mena's time with the Indiana, he coached 10 All-Americans, had more than 28 NCAA qualifiers, and coached the university's first NCAA Champion in 15 years, Joe Dubuque.   On top of being a member of the 1999, 2001, and 2003 Team USA Freestyle National Team, Mena also competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials where he placed fifth, as well as the 2004 Olympic Trials where he placed seventh.   "I'm super excited to be at Wayland Baptist University and looking forward to having a fun season. I would like to thank Dr. Hedgepath, Coach Giacomazzi and Coach Stryder Davis for this wonderful opportunity!" said Coach Mena.

Cook, a native of Evansville, Ind., is assistant coach for the Wayland Baptist wrestling program. Chad graduated from F.J. Reitz High School in Evansville before attending the University of Southern Indiana and the University of Dubuque (Iowa), having earned a degree in physical education with a special education minor in 2013. He was a two-time NCWA national qualifier and 2008 NCWA All-American (sixth place) at 165 pounds. He was a member of the University of Dubuque coaching staff when the wrestling program set the school record for most national qualifiers (5) in 2013. He coached 12 national qualifiers and two all-Americans in 2012-14 and from 2005-11 as an assistant at Evansville Reitz High School coached 20 state qualifiers and 10 state place winners. Chad, who is single, enjoys playing and watching all sports. His church home is West Side Christian in Evansville.