Four-time NCAA All-American to join program immediately

BLACKSBURG - Former Ohio State University standout Lance Palmer has joined the Virginia Tech wrestling program as the volunteer assistant coach, as announced Tuesday by head coach Kevin Dresser, after wrapping up a stellar collegiate career. Palmer will be heavily involved with on-mat training with the middleweights and will help out in numerous other areas as well.

A four-time All-American at Ohio State, Palmer took runner-up honors at 149 pounds his senior season at the NCAA Tournament. He also won the Big Ten title his final year, beating Iowa’s Brent Melcalf 9-3 in the finals. For his career, the Lakewood, Ohio, native posted a 121-31 record, including an impressive 61-8 mark over his final two seasons. He went 31-3 as a senior and was a tri-captain for the Buckeyes.

“Lance came in and loved Virginia Tech and our direction,” Dresser said. “Lance Palmer is a huge name and has the reputation for being one of the hardest workers in Division I wrestling. The Hokie Wrestling Nation is fired up!”

Palmer was a four-time Ohio prep state champion at St. Edward High, posting a 150-6 career record. He also was a 2006 Senior National Champion at 140 pounds.