Coach Lancaster has been a part of the West Ottawa wrestling family since 1996. As a middle schooler, he would practice with his older brother Rory under Coach McCourt and Coach Nadolsky. 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 also was a 3x USAW National Qualifier and a member of the 2002 USAW Junior Greco-Roman National Championship team.
In college, Lancaster was a 2003 Academic All-American for Muskegon Community College and 2003 USAW "Red-shirt Freshman" All-American. He later went on the wrestle NCAA Division 1 at Easter 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 member of the 2008 NCWA National Championship team, Lancaster was an All-American, placing 7th at the NCWA National Championships at 235lbs.
Since then, he has dedicated himself to the coaching world, joining the West Ottawa wrestling coaching staff in 2006. coaching at all levels, he has helped the Panthers secure 2 MHSAA district team titles and coached several All-State wrestlers and All-Americans. He is also currently the director of wrestling for Myrmidon Training Systems, a grass-root Olympic-style wrestling club located in Holland, Michigan. Coach Lancaster earned his Masters in American History from American Military University in 2014 and taught at Muskegon Community College as an adjunct professor.
This is Coach Lancaster's seventh year as head coach of his alma mater. His wife, Betsy, both have four children: Lilli, Gaven, Aiden, and Nora.
