Steve Bleise helped guide the ODU wrestling program to a 10-9 record, 6-2 in the MAC in his first season with the Monarchs. Bleise was also voted as the National Collegiate Open (NCO) Coach of the Year, along with Derek Moore of Cal Baptist. The 2020 NCO featured best ever performance for the Monarchs as Michael McGee claimed the program's first ever NCO title to lead a group of six to NCO All-American honors.
A three-time NCAA Qualifier Bleise joined the Monarchs in June 2019. Bleise spent three seasons wrestling at Northern Illinois before transferring to Minnesota for his final two years of eligibility. Bleise wrestled for current ODU head assistant Daryl Thomas while at NIU. In 2019, Bleise defeated No. 3 Ryan Deakin at the Big Ten Championships. He was also awarded the Verne Gagne Leadership Award from Minnesota and a member of the Academic All-Big Ten Team.
Steve Bleise
Volunteer Assistant Coach
