Everyone knows John Nogle. He is just one of those “good guys” in wrestling who is notorious for his infinitely massive contributions to the community as an advocate and coach.
Nogle graduated from Smithsburg High in 1995 as a four-time Washington County champion and three-time third-place finisher at Class 2A-1A states.
Nogle endured an injury-shortened season at Virginia Tech in 1996 and graduated from the University of Maryland in 1999 with an Economics degree.
“I was a much better Olympic Style wrestler, although I never placed at Fargo,” said Nogle, 48, who works as “a statistician by day, and a volunteer coach at night.”
Nogle is the father of two championship wrestling sons, Colemen and Carter.
Coleman graduated from Mount St. Joseph in 2023 and is a sophomore at Harvard. Carter graduated from Mount St. Joseph in 2024 and is a wrestling freshman at Air Force.
For the 2024-25 season, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee has implemented the “three-point takedown” and the “four-point near fall.”
The changes mirror similar changes previously made in college wrestling, which increased the value of a takedown from two points to three; essentially rewarding more offensive action in the sport.
Legacy Wrestling sought John Nogle’s perspective and his view of how the pair of changes have affected the sport.
John Nogle on the three-point takedown and four-point near-fall
“Honestly, I don't think it really changes much about the sport. I don't think that it creates any more action or makes anything more or less exciting. It doesn't seem to play into much of a factor in matches with evenly matched kids.
“Maybe it benefits kids who are better from [the] neutral [or standing position.] As far as matches where one wrestler is more dominant, I think it results in more bonus points [and/or] technical falls.
“As a coach who primarily works with kids in the developmental age groups, I'm not a huge fan because it results in quicker matches, and I'd like to see the kids wrestle longer.
“But I really don't feel that strongly about these new rules. In general, I don't think it's a good thing to be constantly changing the rules, but the same thing is happening in other sports, so it is what it is.”
John Nogle’s Career Wrestling Accomplishments, At A Glance
1995-1996: Virginia Tech – won 12 bouts at 126 pounds before dislocating elbow one week prior to the CAA championships.
High School: Smithsburg (1995 graduate) – four-time Washington County champion; one-time regional champion in four title-match berths; three-time third-place finisher at Class 2A-1A states.
Coaching Experience
Assistant Coach Springbrook High - 1997-2005
Coach B&O Outlaws --2010-2020
Coach Headhunters Wrestling Club 2020-Present
John Nogle’s son, Coleman and Carter, At Mount St. Joseph At A Glance
Coleman graduated from Mount St. Joseph in 2023
Two-time MIAA champ (second once)
Two-time MIS champ (second once)
Three-time National Prep All-American (fourth, sixth, fourth)
Currently a sophomore at Harvard
(Freshman record --18-17 at 133 pounds; Fifth at the Keystone Classic; 1-2 at EIWA Championships.)
(Sophomore year – injured)
Carter graduated from Mount St. Joseph in 2024
Three-time MIAA champ
Three-time MIS champ
Three-time National Preps All-American (second, fifth, fourth)
Currently a freshman at Air Force
(Record of 19-11 with eight pins at 141 pounds; ranked seventh nationally in the pins standings)
