Cassie comes to us all the way from Washington state where she had an impressive prep career. An overall competition record of 72-94 . In 2006 she won a state title, and then went on to place at the state, and win regional and district titles She turned to coaching women's wrestling for the 2009-2010 and 2015-16 seasons. In her reign, she had 10 WIAA state qualifiers , as well as 5 Academic All-State girls.
3rd at WIAA State 2008, 3rd at WIAA State as a team
Coached 7 WIAA State Participants 2010, 3 Academic Scholastic State Participants
Coached 2 WIAA State Participants 2015, 1 Academic Scholastic State Participants
Coached 1 WIAA State Participant 2016, 1 Academic Scholastic State Participant
Ryan Lancaster Co-Head Women's Coach
Coach Lancaster has been apart 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 at a very early age under the Panther system, 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, as well as 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 out is 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 in securing 2 MHSAA district team titles, as well as 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 also teaches at Muskegon Community College as an adjunct professor.
This is Coach Lancaster's fifth year as head coach of his alma mater. His wife Betsy, both have four children: Lilli, Gaven, Aiden, and Nora.
