Cheyenne Carden Named Head Women’s Wrestling Coach, Sugermeyer Appointed Director of Wrestling
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 29, 2022) – Western New England University Associate Directors of Athletics Lori Mayhew-Wood and Jennifer Kollins have announced the hiring of Cheyenne Carden as the first Women's Wrestling Head Coach in program history.
Carden, a native of Branford, Connecticut, comes to Western New England after being named Captain in the Connecticut Army National Guard. While with the Army National Guard, Carden is a Clinical Training Officer for the Connecticut Army National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment.
Carden first attended Kings University in Bristol, Tennessee where she was recruited to the women's wrestling team. She transferred to American International College, located in Springfield, Mass. where she played women's lacrosse for the Yellow Jackets and was named to the 2015 women's lacrosse Northeast 10 All-Conference First Team. Carden graduated from AIC in 2016, earning a degree in both Criminal Justice and Psychology.
"I am so grateful to be given the opportunity and honor to lead the Women's Wrestling program," said Carden. "I am very excited to get started and to continue to build the Women's Wrestling program at WNE to compete at the top level. I would like to thank Michael Sugermeyer and the WNE Administration for such an opportunity."
Carden is a multiple time high school All-American and United States Girl's Wrestling Association (USGWA) New England Champion for Branford High School and was a USGWA 2010 National Champion in the 128 lb. weight class. Carden's accomplishments at the high school level also include placing 5th at the Connecticut Men's Class M State Championship in the 130 lb. weight class. Carden wrestled for Branford High School as well as her club programs, MarcAurele Wrestling and the Connecticut Hurricanes.
Mike Sugermeyer, who is entering his 8th year as the Head Coach of the Western New England Men's Wrestling team, has been elevated to Director of Wrestling, to go along with his duties as the Men's Wrestling Head Coach.
"Cheyenne emerged as the top candidate in a national search for our first ever Head Women's Wrestling Coach," said Mike Sugermeyer, Western New England Director of Wrestling / Men's Wrestling Head Coach. "I have no doubt that Cheyenne's leadership and passion will serve her well as we strive to provide a great experience for our student athletes and build a competitive program both regionally and nationally."
Sugermeyer, who was appointed Director of Wrestling upon Carden's hiring at WNE said, "Wrestling at Western New England University has had a rich history of success dating back to 1974 with the inception of Men's Wrestling. It is with great pleasure to announce that we are now able to offer the same opportunity to young women. It has been an honor to help build our women's program and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve both the men's and women's wrestling programs as the Director of Wrestling while still maintaining my role as the Head Men's Coach. I would like to thank the administration here at Western New England University for this opportunity."
The Western New England women's wrestling team opens their 2022-2023 schedule at the Alumni Healthful Living Center on Thursday, November 3 at 4:00 pm when East Stroudsburg University visits Springfield. The WNE men's wrestling team will open their schedule a day later, traveling to the Ithaca Invitational on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5.