MANHEIM, Pa. – Olivet College head wrestling coach Brandon Brissette has been named the 2019 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Central Region Coach of the Year. This award was selected by his peers in the region and presented tonight prior to the start of the 2019 NCAA Division III Central Regional at Wabash (Ind.) College in Crawfordsville, Ind.

The award is given to the coach in each region who has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The awards are presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA.

Brissette is in his 10th season at the helm of the Comets. This season, he led Olivet to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship and coached five All-MIAA wrestlers, including the MIAA's Most Valuable Wrestler. Overall, the Comets have a 12-3 dual match record and are ranked No. 15 in the latest NWCA Top 25 poll. In the community, Brissette and the Olivet wrestlers have participated in the college's bi-annual service days and a pen pal mentorship with STARR Commonwealth in Albion.

Each of the six regional winners now become eligible for the NWCA National Coach of the Year award, which will be presented at the Division III Hall Coaches Meeting, Thursday, March 7 prior to the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championship in Roanoke, Virginia.

"We are pleased to recognize this year's Regional Coach of the Year recipients and want to thank them for providing a quality experience for their student-athletes and for being outstanding role models to our sport," said NWCA Executive Director, Mike Moyer.

Information provided by Olivet College Sports Information