EMPOWERING METRO WRESTLERS
Removing barriers. Building opportunities. Growing the sport.
OUR MISSION
Open Mat Metro is dedicated to expanding wrestling opportunities for Metro Nashville Public Schools student-athletes. We help remove financial barriers by supporting tournament entry fees, USA Wrestling memberships, and the development of USA Wrestling clubs within Metro Nashville schools.
TOURNAMENT SUPPORT
COACHING & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
We provide guidance and financial support to Metro Nashville coaches and schools looking to start or grow wrestling programs within the USA Wrestling system
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Open Mat Metro helps cover select USAW tournament entry fees and USA Wrestling memberships for eligible student-athletes who attend Metro Nashville Public Schools and wrestle with Metro-based programs.
USA WRESTLING CLUB SUPPORT
We help Metro Nashville schools and coaches establish USA Wrestling clubs, including assistance with club registration, chartering, and startup costs.
ATHLETE OPPORTUNITIES
Our support helps remove financial barriers so Metro Nashville student-athletes can participate in wrestling competitions and USA Wrestling events.
Our Board Members
Spenser Mango — Board Member
Spenser Mango is a two-time U.S. Olympian, six-time World Team member, and seven-time U.S. Open champion in Greco-Roman wrestling. A Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army, Mango competed with the Army World Class Athlete Program and now serves as its Head Coach. In 2025, he was named USA Wrestling’s Greco-Roman Coach of the Year.
Larry Wright — Board Member
Larry Wright is an Ohio native, former wrestler at Pleasant High School, graduate of The Ohio State University, and longtime Middle Tennessee businessman. Larry and his family have been involved in and supported the sport of wrestling for more than 40 years, and he remains a passionate Buckeye fan committed to helping create opportunities for the next generation of wrestlers.
Mike Hooker Sr — Board Member
Mike Hooker Sr. is a lifelong member of the Nashville wrestling community and a 1974 Tennessee state runner-up for Father Ryan High School. He is also a former Division I wrestler at Middle Tennessee State University and later raised a family deeply connected to the sport, with three sons competing at levels ranging from youth wrestling to the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Kevin Walker — Board Member
Kevin Walker is the founder of the Bonafyde Art & Cultural Center and a longtime Nashville wrestling and combat sports coach. He has served as a Team USA coach in kickboxing and mixed martial arts, coached athletes at the world championship level, and has worked with wrestling programs throughout Metro Nashville since 1999. His background also includes USA Wrestling, USA Boxing, judo, Combat Sambo, Catch Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu.
Vince Gioiella — Board Member
Vince Gioiella is a former Division I wrestler at West Virginia University, a two-time Ohio state placer, freestyle state champion, and high school All-American. With more than 17 years of coaching experience, Vince has helped lead programs to multiple team championships while developing National Champions, All-Americans, state champions, and U.S. National Team members. He continues to dedicate his career to developing wrestlers and creating opportunities for young athletes through the sport.
