Mike Riley ’14 was a New England Champion wrestler who earned All-New England honors three times, qualified for the NCAA Div. III National Championship twice, received the John E. Hetherman Award and helped lead the Anchormen to the 2003 Pilgrim League Championship during his Rhode Island College career from 2000-03.
He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Rhode Island College in 2014.
As a senior in 2002-03, Riley closed out his collegiate wrestling career at the NCAA Div. III National Championships, hosted by Ohio Northern University, on Mar. 7-8.
Riley drew a tough opponent in the first round, facing third-seeded Ozzie Saxon from Wartburg, and falling 11-3. His next match was against sixth-seeded Barry Wise from Delaware Valley, losing by fall at 3:46. Riley was leading the match 10-8 and posted a near-fall, but Wise made a quick move to gain the pin. Both Saxon and Wise went on to earn All-American status, placing second and third respectively.
Riley had an outstanding senior season in 2002-03, becoming the New England Champion at 133 lbs. at the NECCWA Championships. It was Riley’s first New England title and his third consecutive season earning All-New England honors. For his career, he posted a 79-16 record with 332 points, 294 takedowns, 20 reversals, 106 escapes, 51 near-falls and six pins.
The team captain was 31-5 at 133 lbs. with 129 points, 134 takedowns, six reversals, 36 escapes, 24 near-falls and two pins on the season. Riley had won 13 consecutive matches heading into the National Championships. During the regular season, he placed first at 133 lbs. at the Roger Williams Invitational and second at the Doug Parker Invitational.
As a junior in 2001-02, Riley earned All-New England honors at 133 pounds, placing third at the 2002 NECCWA Championships. Riley had a 28-match winning streak stopped at the championships. The co-captain was 37-6 (.860) with 163 points, 128 takedowns, ten reversals, 48 escapes, 21 near-falls and four wins by fall on the year. Riley established a new school record for wins in a season with 37. He placed first at the Citrus Invitational, second at the Scranton Invitational, third at the Roger Williams Invitational and fourth at the Doug Parker Invitational.
As a sophomore in 2000-01, he qualified for the Div. III NCAA National Championships as a wild-card selection at 133 lbs. Riley earned All-New England honors, placing second at 133 lbs. at the 2001 NECCWA Championships. Riley was 11-5 with 40 points, 32 takedowns, four reversals, 22 escapes and six near-falls on the season.
Prior to coming to RIC, Riley competed for the University of Lowell for one season.
