12 Bears head to Nationals ranked 4th in the Nation!

The Mott Community College “Wrestling Bears” are entering their 4th season as Michigan’s only collegiate program east of the I-75 corridor. After 3 successive seasons of finishing in the NCWA’s Top 20, the Bears are setting their goals a bit higher.  A schedule has been developed that could well prepare the team for a top 5 finish.  Leading the way will be All-American, Allen McMillan (133 lbs.), along with 3 top 8 placers in John Whitman (141 lbs.), Quinn Boyce (157 lbs.) and Kevin McIntosh (184 lbs.).  A strong and balanced recruiting class should provide the team with a strong dual meet squad.

The “Wrestling Bears” have their eyes on another prize, using wrestling as a means to mentor middle school students from the 4 Flint Community School middle schools.  Thanks to a grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation, the team members will be meeting weekly with approximately 100 students for the purpose of tutoring them in their studies, directing them in community service, teaching them the basics of good nutrition and coaching them in wrestling. This program both mirrors and expands upon USA Wrestling’s successful “Beat the Streets” program in New York City.

The Mott Community College administration continues to support the team in a variety of ways.  Recently, funding was secured to purchase 3 new mats, to upgrade the practice area, with a new Resilite mat for the floor and Dollumar mats for the walls. This generous move on the college’s part will help many others on campus with a secure and safe environment in which to participate such areas of interest as Pilates, self-defense and community education child-birth classes.  Additionally, the new mats will allow Mott to begin hosting home matches, tournaments and clinics.  Mott hosted the “Mott Open” on November 18th.

This group will be leading a strong freshmen class, which includes: