Wrestling Background and Accomplishments

1967 – 1969: Wrestling Introduction
Mike McLarney’s journey into wrestling began in 1967, when he was first introduced to the sport. Over the next few years, he gained experience and honed his skills.

1969 – 1973: Chelmsford High School
As a freshman at Chelmsford High School, Mike joined the defending Massachusetts state and New England champion wrestling team. He faced some very intense competition, engaging with the varsity each day. As a sophomore, Mike participated in twice-weekly, eight-man wrestle-offs, which sped up progress, introduced the rigors of competition, and provided invaluable experience. In his sophomore year, Mike placed as a sectional runner-up at 147 lbs. Despite a knee injury cutting his junior season short before postseason events, he returned strong in his senior year. He finished as both a sectional and state runner-up and went on to defeat an unbeaten Rhode Island wrestler in the New England finals, becoming the New England champion.

1974 – 1977: Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Mike pursued wrestling at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he competed in Division III and helped elevate his team to notable New England placements—sixth, third, second, and third place—behind established programs such as Springfield and Southern Connecticut. He served as team captain twice, leading his team with both talent and experience. Mike competed in prestigious tournaments like the Miami Dade Open, where he placed third, and the Coast Guard Invitational, where he placed multiple times. His college career culminated in a New England championship during his senior year.

1977 – 1984: Coaching and Officiating
Following graduation, Mike served as a United States Merchant Marine Engineer, but his passion for wrestling never wavered. He began coaching as a volunteer at the University of Lowell under Head Coach Robert Germann, from 1977 to 1979. In 1979, Mike became an assistant coach at Chelmsford High School and then began his long career as an official. His first bout as a referee occurred at the Lowell Holiday Tournament, with two returning state place winners in the quarterfinal consolations, (meaning one of those wrestlers was going home without a medal) and from there, he has continued to officiate without interruption, for 46 years.

1986 – 1995: Elected to MIWOA Executive Board
During this time, Mike was elected to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Wrestling Officials Association (MIWOA) Executive Board, and he also became an NCAA referee, further amplifying his knowledge and understanding of the sport.

1990 – 1994: Head Coach at Bridgewater State College
Mike took on the role of head coach at Bridgewater State College, where he continued to build teams as a coach and serve as a mentor to young wrestlers.

1994 – 2004: Professional International Experience
Mike’s professional career took him across the globe; he lived in Oklahoma, Ohio, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Germany, Venezuela, India and Singapore. Despite his busy schedule, he remained active in wrestling by coaching his son’s team in Ohio when possible.

2004 – Present: Officiating and Coaching at WPI and Portsmouth Abbey
In 2004, Mike returned to coaching as an assistant at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). From 2005 onward, he resumed officiating at both the NCAA and high school levels. In 2012, Portsmouth Abbey reinstated its wrestling program after a 25-year hiatus, and Mike was named assistant coach. Two years later, in 2014, he was promoted to head coach and elected to the MIWOA Executive Board.

2017 – Present: Leadership Roles
In 2017, Mike became the commissioner and president of the Eastern Independent Wrestling League. His leadership has continued to the present day.  Recently he was named as Massachusetts USA Wrestling’s director of officials in 2021, and in 2024, he was appointed as Rhode Island USA Wrestling state vice chairperson.

Throughout his extensive career, Mike McLarney has been a solid supporter of the wrestling community, contributing statewide, regionally, and nationally as a competitor, coach, referee, and leader.