Pat Sole
Pat Sole began his wrestling career in 1965 at the age of five. Graduating in 1978 from Parkersburg South High School, he wrestled under legendary Coach Rod Oldham (HOF), assistant Brent Saunders and Paul Jackson (HOF). While at South, Pat won 2X WV State Champion and lX Runner-Up. Also he became 4X National Freestyle and Greco Place winner with All American status. Then he was invited to compete in the Chicago International Jr. World and won, thus a member of the USA Jr. World Team and competed in Europe. Also as a member of the WV All-Star team, he competed at Dapper Dan Pittsburgh Classic and on WV Freestyle Teams against Germany and South Korea.
During his Liberty University wrestling years under Coach Bob Bonheim (HOF), he became an NCCAA All American placing third in the Nationals and was chosen team captain. During his redshirt year while training for the 1980 Olympic Trials, Pat won 2 regional Olympic Trials and placed in National Trials to become an Olympic Alternate. Upon college graduation in 1983, Pat retired from competitive wrestling.
To fulfill his personal goal of helping others develop young wrestlers, he returned home to his Alma Mater. Pat was an Assistant Coach with Dan Clevenger, Paul Jackson and Tim McCartney and later worked with Terry Collins and Gary Porter (HOF). During these years up to 2005, South became State Champions 10 times, runners-up 3 times, and ranked nationÂally four times. While working full-time for Dominion/Hope Natural Gas, Pat received his Master's Degree from WVU in safety management in 1995.
In 2006, Pat was asked by Liberty U. Head Wrestling Coach Jesse Castro (HOF), his college teammate to come and help re-establish the wrestling program. With this opportunity to Coach NCAA D-1, Pat took with him 6 South graduates, A. Kelly, C. Daggett, C. Porter, S. Smith, Z. McRay and K. Walters. During first season, Liberty captured NCAA Regional Championships with 3 South wrestlers qualifying for NCAA and for next 3 years repeated East Regional Championships. Pat assisted in establishing Virginia Gold Wrestling Club and developing young wrestlers, some became collegiate wrestlers as well.
Upon returning to West Virginia, Ohio Valley University, AD Larry Lyons asked Pat to start an NCAA Division-2 program. From 2011 to 2021, they qualified 5X for post-season NCAA Division-2 National Championships with some becoming academic and wrestling All-Americans. Pat has deep gratitude and credits success to his staff of Chris Daggett, Cody Sole, Terry Collins, Tyler George, Nikoloz Varazashvili and Jessie McBurney. He believes that wrestling is the greatest sport known to man and feels honored to have served alongside everyone.
Pat would like to say from the bottom of his heart, a special thank you for enduring love and support to his wife Vickie, sons Cody and Dustin, and parents Dale and Ruth Sole.
Awards:
Year
2022
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Award
Lifetime Service to Wrestling
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Chapter/Region
West Virginia
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