Campus News

May 26th, 2026

Ex-Laker Korenoski to lead Coker wrestlers

Garrett College legend takes over NCAA D-II program at 23

Hartsville, SC – Garrett College’s eight-year-old wrestling program has already produced a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) head coach.

Noah Korenoski, who won the 157-pound Gulf Atlantic District championship with the Lakers in 2022, was recently named head coach of the Coker (SC) University men’s wrestling program. The 23-year-old Korenoski was a graduate assistant with the Coker University program for the last two years after finishing his collegiate wrestling career with the Cobras.

“It’s super-exciting,” Korenoski said of his new position. “I’ve been able to see what I liked and didn’t like as athlete, and what I liked and didn’t like as an assistant coach. Now I get to be in charge, make this my own, and recruit the kids I see something exciting in.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” added Korenoski, “but I’m completely ready for the challenge.”

Korenoski credited John Chambers, his Garrett College wrestling head coach, with pointing him in the right direction from his first day on campus.

“I wasn’t going to come to college. When I came to Garrett College, John laid out the plan,” recalled Korenoski. “I was slacking a little bit in the beginning and, to be honest, he gave me the kick in the butt that I needed. I never slacked off again. He was that voice that I needed – he made it happen for me.”

“Noah is one of the best wrestlers ever to step on the mat at Garrett College,” said Chambers, who helped Korenoski twice qualify for nationals with the Lakers. “He was a two-time NWCA [National Wrestling Coaches Association] Scholar All-American – and he was a true Garrett guy. His grit and tenacity will be entrenched in the program he builds at Coker.”

Dr. Lynn Griffin, Coker University’s vice president for athletics and facilities, said on the Coker University website that Korenoski is “an outstanding fit to lead Coker wrestling into the future.”

"Noah has demonstrated tremendous dedication to our student-athletes and our wrestling program over the last two years," said Griffin, who predicted Korenoski will bring “leadership, passion, and a strong competitive background to the mat every day.”

After his two seasons at Garrett College, Korenoski recorded 51 wins at Coker – which ties for third all-time for the Cobras. During his Coker career, Korenoski earned Academic All-American honors twice while twice placing fifth at the regional national qualifying tournament.

Korenoski said he views his relative youth as an advantage in his new position.

“I’m still young, still on the mat,” observed Korenoski, who earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) last summer. “When I had coaches that got on the mat with me, it earned my respect and improved my wrestling. I was in their [Coker wrestlers’] spot not so long ago, which I truly see as a strength.”

Korenoski said he was immediately attracted to “the southern living” when he was initially recruited by Coker.

“Being 90 miles away from Myrtle Beach, leaving practice in March in your flip-flops, and having palm trees on campus – that was all amazing to me,” he said.

Prior to his collegiate career, Korenoski established himself as one of the top wrestlers in Pennsylvania, one of the nation's premier high school wrestling states.

Competing at Westmont Hilltop High School in Johnstown, PA, he compiled 111 career victories, including 50 wins by fall.