KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University wrestling head coach Robert Fisher has had a season to remember at the helm of the 20th-ranked KU wrestling team, as he was named the NCAA Super Region I Coach of the Year for the first time in his career on Friday.
Fisher is nearing the end of his 24th season in charge of Kutztown wrestling, and the program's winningest head coach is in the midst of one of his best seasons in 2024-25. The squad boasts a 5-1 record in a challenging Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, while their 11-1 overall dual record sits as the top mark among conference opponents.
This year's squad features four nationally ranked wrestlers in No. 2 Matthew Weinberg (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) at 184 pounds, No. 10 Dalton Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) at 174 pounds, No. 12 Bailey Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) at 165 pounds, and No. 15 Jimmy Ryan (Staten Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) at 149 pounds. Additionally, the lineup features one of the nation's top unranked grapplers in 197-pound Wayne McIntyre (East Stroudsburg, Pa./East Stroudsburg North), an efficient and undefeated 285-pound Freddie Retter (Quakertown, Pa./Quakertown), and a group of front-line wrestlers in the lighter weights who all possess winning dual records and have been able to hold their own against the best.
The team has enjoyed massive success in dual competition this season, beginning early with a 30-point win against Frostburg State and a 40-point win over Fairmont State. The Golden Bears opened their home season with a program-record 50-point shutout over American International, followed by a six-point upset over 14th-ranked Gannon. They held a 102-30 advantage over their final three opponents, giving them good insight into what to expect in regional competition.
Fisher, a three-time KU Coach of the Year (2014, 2015, 2019) and 2018-19 PSAC Division II Coach of the Year honoree, boasts an overall record of 252-112-2, picking up his 250th dual win in the 27-12 victory over Millersville. The Kutztown alumnus has sent wrestlers to nationals every year while at KU, having coached an All-American wrestler in 15 of his last 16 seasons, including Weinberg, a two-time honoree and last year's runner-up at 184 pounds, and Bailey Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg), who earned the honor at 157 lbs. in 2024.
The Golden Bears will look to keep their strong season going and add to Fisher's resume tomorrow, March 1, as they compete at the NCAA Super Region I Championships inside the Joe Retton Arena, on the campus of Fairmont State University, with the hope to advance to the NCAA DII Championships, which will take place at the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis, Ind. on March 14-15.
