With seven straight OCC titles, Lancaster wrestling is mark of consistency
LANCASTER — When you are successful and have the kind of consistency as the Lancaster wrestling program has endured over the last decade, the culture in the program is second to none.
The Golden Gales have been a mark of consistency that is unmatched. They have won seven consecutive Ohio Capital Conference championships, qualified for the team state duals, and won a Division I Central District title in 2018 for the first time in school history.
The program sends wrestlers to the state tournament on a regular basis, with several of them qualifying as state placers. Each year, it seems like the Gales lose talented wrestlers to graduation, but the expectations never change, and that is certainly the case this year.
What sets the Lancaster program apart from others is their wrestlers embrace those lofty expectations, they hard work at practice and understand it can be a grind and it’s not easy. However, they continue to shine because of the winning culture throughout the program, from top to bottom.
Lancaster, which is led by eight seniors, Aidan Agin, Ajay Locke, Tim Lewellen, Ty Hedges, Bryce Chase, Brody Chase, Colton Hullinger and Tyler Weilbacker, is having another successful season.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but we have been relatively healthy, and that’s always a key,” Lancaster coach Dugan Bentley said. “The consistency of our practices have been positive. There isn’t any negative energy. We have good leadership, and the kids come in and work hard. Wrestling is hard, but we are able to push these kids in practice so when we get to the matches, the effort is always there, and I think we are continually improving and getting better.”
Bentley said the key to having any sustained success, long-term success has to start at the lower levels and work its way up throughout the program.
“It starts with the youth program. I’ve known these kids that are seniors since they were in third and fourth grade,” Bentley said. “They came through our youth program and have a good understanding of what it takes to be successful. We also have people at the lower levels that truly care and have a true invested interest in this program. They have been instrumental in the success that we have had. There are some key players that keep the program alive. The culture starts at the youth program.”
The Gales are right on track as the regular season starts to wind down. They won the Porter Memorial Tournament at Hilliard Bradley a few weeks ago, and Agin was named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Wrestler.
Lancaster has finished runner-up in several other tournaments. This weekend, the Gales will travel to New Lexington to compete in the always-tough Jimmy Wood Memorial Wrestling Tournament.
Undefeated in OCC-Buckeye Division action at 4-0, the Gales will look to win their ninth straight OCC title when they travel to Newark on Feb. 10.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: With seven straight OCC titles, Lancaster wrestling is mark of consistency
