Sonnieboy Blanco ’17 named head coach of W&J wrestling program
Courtesy of W&J Athletics – Link
by, Aaron Thompson, SID
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Sonnie Blanco, a 2017 Washington & Jefferson College graduate and the program’s all-time wins leader, has been selected as the next head coach of the W&J wrestling program. Blanco put together an illustrious collegiate career while wrestling for the Red and Black. Known as Sonnieboy during that time, he amassed a program-best 124 wins and earned NCAA Division III All-America honors in both his junior and senior seasons.
“We are so happy to welcome Sonnie back home to W&J. Coach Blanco has already proven to be a terrific recruiter and we look forward to the leadership he will bring to our program,” said Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. “As a two-time All-American and our all-time wins leader, Sonnie knows what it takes to succeed at W&J in the classroom and on the mat. He will bring his upbeat attitude and work ethic. We can’t wait for our team to begin working with him once practice begins.”
Blanco brings extensive collegiate coaching experience to his new head position. He served as an assistant coach at Division III Ohio Wesleyan the past two seasons. During his time with the Battling Bishops, the program had five NWCA Scholar All-Americans and two wrestlers place at the NCAA D-III Central Regionals.
“Words can’t express the excitement and gratitude that I feel in returning to my alma mater, Washington and Jefferson College,” Blanco said. “W&J gave me the opportunity to earn a highly respected college degree while encouraging me to pursue my athletic career as an All-American wrestler. Now I hope to do the same for future W&J student-athletes. I am coming home.”
Prior to his stop at OWU, he was an assistant coach for two seasons at former Presidents’ Athletic Conference member Thomas More University. Blanco helped the Saints finish 36th in the nation and seventh in the Mid-South Conference in 2019-20, their first season competing in the NAIA. In 2018-19, he helped Thomas More record a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Regional meet. He served as assistant coach and then acting head coach at Muhlenberg (Pa.) College during the 2017-18 academic year. Under his leadership, the Mules placed 14th at the NCAA D-III Mideast Regional.
A two-time team captain at W&J, Blanco finished third at 174 pounds at the 2017 D-III National Championships after securing a fifth place finish at 174 pounds in 2016. In addition to being the all-time wins leader, Blanco remains the program leader in career takedowns (600) as he recorded the top four single-season takedown totals in program history. His 42 victories in 2017 also remain the most in a single season by a W&J wrestler. He was the male recipient of the 2017 Walter C. Cooper Senior Athlete Award, which is presented annually to W&J’s top male and female senior athletes.
Blanco received his undergraduate degree in Communications from W&J in May 2017. He was a 2-time All-America selection on the mat, finishing third nationally in 2017 and fifth in 2016. He recorded 124 career wins and twice served as team captain. Blanco continued his education at Thomas More and earned a Master of Arts degree in Ethical Leadership in 2020.
Coach Blanco and the Presidents commence the 2022-23 season on Nov. 6 at the Lycoming Invitational.
Courtesy of W&J Athletics – Link
by, Aaron Thompson, SID
WASHINGTON, Pa. — Sonnie Blanco, a 2017 Washington & Jefferson College graduate and the program’s all-time wins leader, has been selected as the next head coach of the W&J wrestling program. Blanco put together an illustrious collegiate career while wrestling for the Red and Black. Known as Sonnieboy during that time, he amassed a program-best 124 wins and earned NCAA Division III All-America honors in both his junior and senior seasons.
“We are so happy to welcome Sonnie back home to W&J. Coach Blanco has already proven to be a terrific recruiter and we look forward to the leadership he will bring to our program,” said Director of Athletics Scott McGuinness. “As a two-time All-American and our all-time wins leader, Sonnie knows what it takes to succeed at W&J in the classroom and on the mat. He will bring his upbeat attitude and work ethic. We can’t wait for our team to begin working with him once practice begins.”
Blanco brings extensive collegiate coaching experience to his new head position. He served as an assistant coach at Division III Ohio Wesleyan the past two seasons. During his time with the Battling Bishops, the program had five NWCA Scholar All-Americans and two wrestlers place at the NCAA D-III Central Regionals.
“Words can’t express the excitement and gratitude that I feel in returning to my alma mater, Washington and Jefferson College,” Blanco said. “W&J gave me the opportunity to earn a highly respected college degree while encouraging me to pursue my athletic career as an All-American wrestler. Now I hope to do the same for future W&J student-athletes. I am coming home.”
Prior to his stop at OWU, he was an assistant coach for two seasons at former Presidents’ Athletic Conference member Thomas More University. Blanco helped the Saints finish 36th in the nation and seventh in the Mid-South Conference in 2019-20, their first season competing in the NAIA. In 2018-19, he helped Thomas More record a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Regional meet. He served as assistant coach and then acting head coach at Muhlenberg (Pa.) College during the 2017-18 academic year. Under his leadership, the Mules placed 14th at the NCAA D-III Mideast Regional.
A two-time team captain at W&J, Blanco finished third at 174 pounds at the 2017 D-III National Championships after securing a fifth place finish at 174 pounds in 2016. In addition to being the all-time wins leader, Blanco remains the program leader in career takedowns (600) as he recorded the top four single-season takedown totals in program history. His 42 victories in 2017 also remain the most in a single season by a W&J wrestler. He was the male recipient of the 2017 Walter C. Cooper Senior Athlete Award, which is presented annually to W&J’s top male and female senior athletes.
Blanco received his undergraduate degree in Communications from W&J in May 2017. He was a 2-time All-America selection on the mat, finishing third nationally in 2017 and fifth in 2016. He recorded 124 career wins and twice served as team captain. Blanco continued his education at Thomas More and earned a Master of Arts degree in Ethical Leadership in 2020.
Coach Blanco and the Presidents commence the 2022-23 season on Nov. 6 at the Lycoming Invitational.
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