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    Trudgeon leaves head coaching position at VMI

    LEXINGTON, Va. -- Virginia Military Institute head wrestling coach John Trudgeon has accepted an administrative position within the athletic department, athletic director Donny White announced Friday.

    Trudgeon, who served for 28 years as the Keydet wrestling coach and held the position the longest in school history, will begin his new duties immediately.

    Chris Skretkowicz, who has served as an assistant coach the program the last seven years, will be in the interim head coach for the 2013-14 season.

    “Coach John Trudgeon has provided outstanding leadership for our wrestling program,” said White. “I am happy that he will continue to serve cadet-athletes in a new role in athletic administration.”

    During his tenure as head coach, Trudgeon was named Southern Conference Coach of the Year four times- 1994, 1995, 1999 and 2000 - and was named Virginia Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994 and 2004. Under Trudgeon, the Keydets won three SoCon Co-Champions in a span of five years - 1995, 1997, and 1999. Trudgeon was recognized by his peers when he was inducted into the Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in April 2009.

    Trudgeon mentored six Top 12 individual finishers in the NCAA Championships including a fourth place finish by 142-pounder Charlie Branch in 1994 and a sixth place finish by heavyweight Leslie Apedoe in 1999 – earning both All-America honors. Adam Britt finished in the top 12 of the 157 lb. weight class in 2002.

    Trudgeon coached VMI wrestling to 160 victories in dual match competition, the most in Institute history.

    Skretkowicz, a three-time CAA champion while at Hofstra, supervised the development of the VMI upper weight classes among his other duties on the Keydet wrestling staff. Skretkowicz as a collegian compiled a prestigious wrestling background, placing sixth at the NCAA tournament in 2003, and fifth in 2004. His 140-24 career record was accompanied by a perfect 26-0 mark against CAA opponents in his four years in the league. He qualified for the NCAA Championships each of his four seasons.

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