Lakewood Ranch High wrestling coach earns hall of fame honors

Taylor Knoll – Mustangs Ahead Associate Sports Editor

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Wrestling Head Coach Pat Ancil was inducted into the National Wresting Hall of Fame (NWHF) Saturday, Aug. 29.

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The NWHF is a nonprofit organization designed to "preserve wrestling history, recognize extraordinary achievement and inspire greatness."

When Ancil first found out about this accolade, he was humbled to be nominated by his peers and honored to be a recipient.

Ancil, 75, has had a long tenure at LRHS and is currently coming into his 22nd year of coaching.

His secret to success is rooted in believing in every individual. He noted that it is important to "teach them the virtues in life that will make them successful."

Ancil believes the most gratifying thing about coaching wrestling at LRHS has been "when alumni wrestlers come back and want to talk or spend time with you."

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Ancil was recognized by the NWHF for his remarkable achievements throughout his life. He was a wrestler at Fairmont East High School, where he was their first state qualifier, team captain, and Most Valuable Player. He also founded a wrestling program at the YMCA in Daytona for undeserved youth.

He takes pride in his athletes showing excellence in a classroom setting, and he believes that grades come before sports as they will follow you for the rest of your life.

Ancil stated how he, "feels proud as the wrestling coach at LRHS that my fellow coaches believed I was making a difference in the lives of my wrestlers."

Photos - Kent Ringquist