Fairmont State University Athletics

John Ferens is in his 3rd season coaching the Fairmont State University wrestling program.

Ferens has been with the program since the 2019-2020 season when the program was reinstated only missing the 2020-2021 season during covid. During his tenure he has been an excellent recruiter and key in student athlete development. He takes part in budget planning, administrative work, and assists at camps. Also, he coordinates practices, instructs technique, and other skills.

Since his time at Fairmont State University Ferens has coached 14 All-MEC conference wrestlers and one All-Super Regional wrestler. He coached Luke Martin during the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 season. Luke was the 2021 National Champion and Outstanding Wrestler of the National Tournament. At the high school level, he has coached two state finalist, 9 state place finishers, and over 20 state qualifiers.

As a college athlete, Ferens was an All-American for NJCAA Power Iowa Central. He won the most falls award in the least amount of time at the regional tournament. Iowa Central finished 3rd in the country both years he was there.

Also, Ferens won multiple matches competing in very strong college open tournaments at the Harold Nicholas-Iowa State Open, Nebraska Kaufman Open, South Dakota State Open, and UNI Open. Ferens received a Division 1 wrestling scholarship to Campbell University after Iowa Central.

As a high school athlete, Ferens wrestled for Connellsville Area High school who are one of the premier programs in the state of Pennsylvania. While wrestling at Connellsville they were Nationally Ranked, Pennsylvania AAA State Runner-Ups, 2x WPIAL AAA Champions and 3x WPIAL AAA Finalists.

Individually, Ferens was a Pennsylvania AAA State Qualifier just missing the podium and was a 3x top 5/6 place finisher in the WPIAL AAA Tournament. He was a place finisher at the Beast of the East and Powerade wrestling tournaments which are two of the better high school wrestling tournaments in the country. Also, he was a Pennsylvania State Freestyle Place Finisher. Fun fact, Ferens is a 5x Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling State Champion which ranks him tied for 4th in the history of Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling.

Ferens finished his education at West Liberty University with his Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education (K-12). At West Liberty University, he built relationships with West Liberty Wrestling coaches and athletes who he gives credit to for helping him finish school.

Ferens is currently on his 13th year as a Health and Physical Education Teacher for Marion County Schools - Fairview Middle School. Fairview Middle School is rated as one of the top middle schools in the state of West Virginia.