THE ART OF WRESTLING
This site isn't just for wrestling enthusiasts; it's a sanctuary for those who find humor in the everyday struggle. Here, amidst the glow of life's perpetual challenges, you'll find not just a coach but a philosopher of endurance, a poet of perseverance, and a guru of grappling. Coach Lancaster reflects the ironies of our culture, where every headlock feels like a weirdly affectionate embrace and every pin a deep, existential clinch. No matter who you are, you've found your way to the right digital dojo. Coach Lancaster—a top-notch wrestling coach —offers more than just training advice; he serves life lessons with humor and insight. His rich experience guides the messy terrain of human ambition and folly, fostering personal growth and self-improvement. Among the grunts and groans of practice, you'll discover motivational nuggets that double as deep philosophical musings. Coach's path through wrestling is a tale of grappling with personal demons and societal absurdities, a raw, unfiltered story that resonates with anyone who's dared to chase a dream. Here, every move matters, every match tells a tale, and every win is a fleeting reminder of life's impermanence.
WRESTLING RESUME
This site isn't just for wrestling enthusiasts; it's a sanctuary for those who find humor in the everyday struggle. Here, amidst the glow of life's perpetual challenges, you'll find not just a coach but a philosopher of endurance, a poet of perseverance, and a guru of grappling. Coach Lancaster reflects the ironies of our culture, where every headlock feels like a weirdly affectionate embrace and every pin a deep, existential clinch. No matter who you are, you've found your way to the right digital dojo. Coach Lancaster—a top-notch wrestling coach —offers more than just training advice; he serves life lessons with humor and insight. His rich experience guides the messy terrain of human ambition and folly, fostering personal growth and self-improvement. Among the grunts and groans of practice, you'll discover motivational nuggets that double as deep philosophical musings. Coach's path through wrestling is a tale of grappling with personal demons and societal absurdities, a raw, unfiltered story that resonates with anyone who's dared to chase a dream. Here, every move matters, every match tells a tale, and every win is a fleeting reminder of life's impermanence.
WRESTLING RESUME
- NCEP Bronze Level Coach
- NCEP Teal Certification
- 2023 MWA Regional Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year
- 2022 MWA Regional Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year
- 2009 NCWA National Qualifier
- 2008 NCWA All-American
- Member of the 2008 NCWA National Championship team
- 2003 Academic All-American at Muskegon Community College
- 2002 MHSAA State Qualifier
- 1997 USAW Freestyle All-American
- 3x USAW National Qualifier
- 3x MHSAA Regional Qualifier
Coach Lancaster began as a part of the West Ottawa wrestling family in 1996. He would practice with his older brother Rory under Coach McCourt and Coach Nadolsky as a middle schooler. He developed under the Panther system at a very early age, winning several youth state titles, and even became an All-American. He also had an impressive prep career, becoming a 2002 MHSAA State Qualifier and a 3x MHSAA Regional Qualifier. He holds records for career wins, team points, escapes, reversals, 2-point near falls, and 3-point near falls. He was also a 3x USAW National Qualifier and a 2002 USAW Junior Greco-Roman National Championship team member.
Lancaster was a 2003 Academic All-American for Muskegon Community College and a 2003 USAW "Red-shirt Freshman" All-American in college. He later wrestled NCAA Division 1 at Eastern Michigan University with fellow West Ottawa alum John McClure. After one season, he transferred to Grand Valley State University, where he finished his collegiate career as a Laker. As a 2008 NCWA National Championship team member, Lancaster was an All-American, placing 7th at the NCWA National Championships at 235lbs.
After a successful wrestling career, Coach Lancaster transitioned to the coaching world, bringing his wealth of experience and passion to the West Ottawa wrestling coaching staff in 2006. His impact was immediate, helping the Panthers secure 2 MHSAA district team titles and coaching several All-State wrestlers and All-Americans. In 2023, he took on a new challenge, leading the club program at Grand Valley State University. His tenure at West Ottawa was marked by numerous achievements, including the most duals wins in school history and the record for most medalists. Currently, he serves as the director of wrestling for Myrmidon Training Systems, a grassroots Olympic-style wrestling club in Holland, Michigan. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Coach Lancaster earned his Master's in American History from American Military University in 2014 and teaches at Muskegon Community College as an adjunct professor.
Coach Lancaster's dedication to wrestling continues as he embarks on his second year as the head coach of his alma mater, Grand Valley. His role as a coach is not his only commitment, as he is also a devoted family man. He and his wife, Betsy, are proud parents to four children: Lilli, Gaven, Aiden, and Nora.
- March 20, 2024 RISING RESILIENCE: GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY CLUB WRESTLERS SHOW OUT AT 2024 NCWA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 13, 2024 GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WRESTLING CLUB SHINES AT 2024 NCWA GREAT LAKES CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
- March 4, 2023 West Ottawa's Isabel Anaya wrestles to third in state; two more girls all-state
- February 11, 2023 Owen Foster, Gavin Drenten win districts, lead 11 local wrestlers to regionals
February 5, 2023 West Ottawa wrestler Isabel Anaya wins regional title, leads six headed to state - December 15, 2022 High school girls wrestling - 5 to watch
- April 5, 2022 West Ottawa's Abrielle VanderZwaag named Sentinel Girls Wrestler of the Year
- March 24, 2022 Up from the ashes
- March 5, 2022 9 local wrestlers earn all-state honors
- February 12, 2022 West Ottawa's Owen Foster wins district title
- February 5, 2022 West Ottawa boys wrestling earns highest conference finish in 6 years
- January 22, 2022 High school sports rewind: 4 West Ottawa girls wrestlers earn first place
- January 11, 2022 Ryan Lancaster: A lion on the hunt
- December 20, 2020 Pandemic shrinks, softens schedule for local wrestlers
- December 17, 2020 Wrestling with realities of a pandemic
- February 6, 2020 West Ottawa wrestling confident heading into conference finals
- January 23, 2020 West Ottawa wrestling expanding girls program
- February 11, 2016 Ethan Curtin reach 100 wins
- Anchored #1: Show Up
- Inside Penn State Wrestling: Secrets to Success
- Pantherstyle: Part Five
- Pantherstyle: Part Four
- Nerdfall: Live Free and Die Well
- Pantherstyle: Part Three
- Pantherstyle: Part Two
- Nerdfall: Sith Philosophy and the Sport of Wrestling
- Pantherstyle: Part One
- The Way of the Ant: Myrmidon and Pragmatism
- Chill Out: Wrestling and Meditation
- Kushti- Ancient Wrestling Style And Training
- Mr. Rager: Using Your Anger In Wrestling
- The Art of Shadow Wrestling
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“They suffer in silence.
Day in and day out, the men and women of my squad do things others would deem superhuman.
Fight to maintain grades
Fight to maintain weight
Fight off skin infection
Fight to keep varsity positions
Fight to win matches against skilled opponents.
Fight the stigmas of their peers.
Fight against the silence of a community that widely ignores them.
Fight with personal demons.
They do this all in a deafening vacuum of ambivalence. Unseen by friends and family. Locked away in early mornings and late nights, they push themselves to the peak of human perfection. There is a certain beauty in their quiet struggles. No banners. No parades. No accolades. Just the simple promise to themselves that they will be better. That they have to be better.
So the next time you see one of my wrestlers, remember this: that the people of this world that can get things done are the workers. The ones with their sleeves rolled up and their boots caked with dirt. These wrestlers thrive with sweat on their brow.
There is a good chance they have done more than you ever could. And will achieve more than you ever did.
And it all starts with the quiet stillness in their silent suffering.”
- Ryan Lancaster
Day in and day out, the men and women of my squad do things others would deem superhuman.
Fight to maintain grades
Fight to maintain weight
Fight off skin infection
Fight to keep varsity positions
Fight to win matches against skilled opponents.
Fight the stigmas of their peers.
Fight against the silence of a community that widely ignores them.
Fight with personal demons.
They do this all in a deafening vacuum of ambivalence. Unseen by friends and family. Locked away in early mornings and late nights, they push themselves to the peak of human perfection. There is a certain beauty in their quiet struggles. No banners. No parades. No accolades. Just the simple promise to themselves that they will be better. That they have to be better.
So the next time you see one of my wrestlers, remember this: that the people of this world that can get things done are the workers. The ones with their sleeves rolled up and their boots caked with dirt. These wrestlers thrive with sweat on their brow.
There is a good chance they have done more than you ever could. And will achieve more than you ever did.
And it all starts with the quiet stillness in their silent suffering.”
- Ryan Lancaster