 Article originally printed by the Holland Evening Sentinel News
WEST OTTAWA TIES WRESTLING MEET Dec. 2, 1965 GRAND RAPIDS- West Ottawa’s wrestling team held its first match in history here Tuesday night and the Panthers were impressive as they held Grand Rapids West Catholic to 24-24 tie. Coach Sid Huitema was pleased with the showing West Ottawa in its opening match. Huitema thought the pre-season hard work paid off for the Panthers. With only two seniors on the team, he is optimistic for the team’s success this season and in the future. The West Ottawa reserve team scored a decisive 23-6 win against the West Catholic reserves. Freshman Dan Martinez scored a first period pin in the 112- pound class while sophomore (Al Vander Kooi scored a second-round pin. Scoring decisions for the Panthers were sophomore Roy Alofs and seniors Al Sroka and John Oonk Sophomore Dale Kardux won his match on a forfeit when his opponent couldn’t make weight. The Panthers lost the 95-pound match in the same way. Junior Richard Schultz, outweighed by more than 25 pounds, was pinned with seven seconds left in the third period in the heavyweight class. In reserve action Chris Bade won on a decision and Bill Jaques. Al Chaves, Wayne Stewart and Richard Boyd won on pins. The Panthers host Byron Center in the home opener next Monday in the West Ottawa gym. The reserves begin action at 6:30 p.m. and varsity meet is at 7:30 p.m. Varsity results in order of finish: 95 pounds-Terry Phome ( WC) won on forfeit. 103 pounds - Dale Kardux (WO) won on forfeit. 112 pounds - Dan Martinez (WO) pinned Jim Patrick (WC) first period 120 pounds - Roy Alofs (WO) dec. Tom Symanski (WC), 15-2. 127 pounds— Ed Pass (WC) dec. Randy Zomermaand (WO), 8-4) 133 pounds - Al Sroka (WO) dec. Ed Owzarscak (WC), 10-8 138- Gary Sosnowski (WC) dec. Jesse Fuerst (WO) 10-3. 145 pounds— Cal Vander Kooi WO pinned Gary Lehman (WC), second period 154 pounds-R. Schulz (WC) dec. Larry Tibbet (WO), 8-0 165 pounds-John Oonk (WO) dec Chuck Dauser (WC), 11-3 180 pounds - C. Mysliwiec WC pinned Larry Schregardus (WO), second period.
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Pantherstyle Challenges
11/16/2020
 In an effort to keep our team engaged during the next few weeks of COVID precautions, we are instituting daily challenges. These challenges will be team based. Each team leader will be encouraged to get its members to participate. The winning team will receive a free shirt for each member. Here are the teams:
WO Wrestling Gear Stores Are Now Open
11/11/2020
 We have teamed up with Constant Pressure to provide the West Ottawa wrestling family its fan and team gear this season. Please pay close attention to due date. For those that wish to make a re-order or are a part of the youth and middle school teams, another store will be opened up in 2021. Constant Pressure Though most of this will be gear that the wrestlers use to compete this season, fans will be able to get their hands on it as well. Place an online order. CP Code: ottawa
 HOLLAND, MI In hopes to keep wrestlers, parents, alumni, and fans aware of the massive rule changes for the 2020-2021 season, we have created a central hub to keep everyone informed. Plan on this page being updated regularly, and often. Changes this season will be hourly, if not daily. We will do our best to educate everyone to the best of our knowledge. PREFACE: MAJOR CHANGES Ruling from the MHSAA:
Ruling for OK Red Conference
STEP ONE: SIGN UP It's important that we have up to date information on everyone. If you haven't already, please fill out this form. This will help determine our pods that we will be using to run our practices. STEP TWO: FINAL FORMS This is an absolute must, Final Forms must be completed in its entirety and insurance and physicals turned in. This how we will be handling our contact tracing, so wrestlers cannot step on the mat without this completed. STEP THREE: PRE-SEASON Pre-season begins Nov. 2 at 3:00pm-4:00pm. We will meet at the high school track between the north and south building. These will not be in pods, but expect cold weather and to remain socially distant. The schedule thus far: 11.02.20 3:00pm-4:00pm 11.04.20 3:15pm-4:15pm (w/ National Guard) 11.06.20 3:15pm-4:15pm 11.09.20 3:15pm-4:15pm (w/ USAF) 11.11.20 3:15pm-4:15m 11.13.20 3:15pm-5:00pm (US Army/moving mats) STEP FOUR: GEAR Team and fan stores are currently closed. It will reopen for the second semester as well. STEP FIVE: PRACTICE First Official Full Contact Practice will be Monday February 8, 2021. High School Practices will take place Monday-Friday from 3:30pm-5:40pm. Each wrestler will report to the wrestling room where outside the door (dressed in running/wrestling shoes and masks) they will be greeted by coaching staff. Coaches will check temperatures, answer all the questions on Final Forms, and get their weight checked. All information will be recorded manually via paper and entered into Final Forms or will entered into Final Forms via Chromebook. Once all has been recorded, wrestlers may enter the wrestling room. Pods will then break out into different stations: STEP SIX: ALPHA WEIGH-IN Currently, no alpha weigh-in is scheduled this season. Instead, when athletes weigh-in for the first time for competition, the weight class you compete in will be considered your scratch (lowest) weight class. This will be the lowest weight class you can compete in this season. However, once a wrestler makes that weight class, they will automatically be given a 2-pound allowance. EX: A wrestler weighs in at 187.5 for the first competition on Jan. 27. That wrestler's lowest weight class for the season is 171, but may bump up in a dual situation. For the next competition on Jan. 30 (and all following events for the '21 season), the wrestler will need to make at least 191 to wrestle at 189. STEP SEVEN: SCHEDULE We will have 10 competition dates this season on both Wednesdays and Saturdays. These will all be quads with 3 other teams. Please not that start times will be in either the morning or evening. All practices, events, and tournaments for all levels of West Ottawa Wrestling can be found here: MISCELLANEOUS
West Ottawa: The Olympic Connection
9/30/2020
 Holland, MI- Off season wrestling is important for any program, but at West Ottawa it is a bit different. Unlike other local West Michigan programs, the Panthers rely heavily on training Olympic style wrestling (freestyle and greco-roman) to make improvements in leaps and bounds. The pinnacle of this the high school national championships, held every July in Fargo, North Dakota. Unfortunately due to the corona virus, the event was canceled. So in leu of summer coverage, lets take a look back at the last few decades and our best to represent our school, state, and country in Olympic style wrestling.  National Qualifiers The following is a list of West Ottawa Wrestlers that competed on either the MUSAW Dual Team or represented Team Michigan at Fargo (If you don't see your name, let us know at westottawawrestling@gmail.com): 1999 Ryan Lancaster 1999 Rory Lancaster 2000 Ryan Lancaster 2000 Cory Fuller 2000 David Whalen 2002 Ryan Lancaster 2010 Gaven Daniels 2010 Miguel Correa 2011 Anthony Inthavong 2011 Ramon Correa 2011 Gaven Daniels 2011 Miguel Correa 2012 Miguel Correa 2012 Ramon Correa 2013 Kalib Brunson 2013 Ramon Correa 2013 Anthony Inthavong 2014 Kalib Brunson 2014 Ramon Correa 2015 Ramon Correa 2015 Keenan Montoya 2016 Ethan Curtin 2017 Julian Jimenez 2018 Mathew Hakken 2018 Julian Jimenez 2018 Mathew Hakken  Keenan Montoya ('16) at the 2015 MUSAW State Finals  Mathew Hakken ('21) at the 2019 MUSAW State Finals  Club State Champions West Ottawa generally has a good showing at the freestyle and greco roman state finals. Here are the few (on record) that have won state titles: 1997 Ryan Lancaster MWF FR 2000 Ryan Lancaster MUSAW FR 2010 Ramon Correa MUSAW FR 2011 Ramon Correa MUSAW FR 2012 Miguel Correa MUSAW FR 2013 Miguel Correa MUSAW GR 2013 Miguel Correa MUSAW FR 2014 Ramon Correa MUSAW GR  Ramon Correa ('15) at the 2015 AAU Junior Olympics  Ryan Lancaster ('02) at he 2000 Junior Freestyle National Championships at Fargo, ND  All-Americans To be top 8 in the country is no easy feat to accomplish, but a few Panthers have made their way to the podium' 1994
 A shot of the field at the 2014 Fargo finals  AAU Junior Olympic Teams Another large event that offers high level freestyle is the AAU Junior Olympics. Several of our wrestlers have made the trip, and walked away with 10 matches! Keenan Montoya Ramon Correa  Ryan Lancaster ('02) wrestling in a barn in Kempten, Germany on an exchange tour in 2006 There are plenty of other events that even put West Ottawa on the international stage! If you don't see a name here that should be, or have pictures to share, please send them to us at westottawawrestling@gmail.com
HOLLAND, MI
West Ottawa Wrestling has produced many next level athletes and champions the past decade. Lets delve into their history and honor those that have created a lasting impact on the program. There were so many amazing athletes that contributed so much that it was difficult to narrow down to just 14. ( NOTE: The wrestlers may or may not have spent all their time at their weight class) You can read about our All-Time team as well. 103 Jace Garza (’17)
"Jace was so dominate for his career. His technical style helped him overpower and push past his opponents. He has done some great hings for the Merchant Marines in D3 as well." - Coach Lancaster
112 Ethan Curtin (’16)
"Ethan was one of the most dedicated wrestlers I have ever coached. He could takedown anyone on his feet, and could won close matches." -Coach Lancaster
119 Owen Foster (’24)
"Owen is right at the tail-end of the decade, but he looks to have a pretty promising career ahead of him. It's hard to find him not on the mat. he has an amazing work ethic." -Coach Lancaster
125 Austin Esparza (’18) 
"Austen didn't wrestle long for out program, but his freshman year made an impact. He had superhuman strength and could out muscle much older opponents." -Coach Lancaster
130 Shantryl Stevenson (’16)
"Shantryl found himself all over our line-up over the years. He aggressive style made him an important cog in our machine." - Coach Lancaster
135 Christian Quintanilla (’21)
"Christian is one of a slew of competitive wrestlers that have aided us at 135 the past decade. His athletic ability demonstrates he can out scramble most of his opponents." - Coach Lancaster
140 Gage Keene (’13)
"Gage was one of the best top wrestlers I've had the pleasure of coaching. Once he took you down, you weren't getting away unless he wanted to let you go." - Coach Lancaster
145 Auggie Mata (’10) 
"Auggie was so well-rounded: a great athlete, wrestler, and leader of the team. He really set the pace for the future of the program and the expectations we looked to fulfill." - Coach Lancaster
152 Clayton Castro (’15) 
"You'll be hard pressed to find a quicker and more agile wrestler than Clayton. He was almost serpent like on his feet, taking down his opponent before they even noticed." - Coach Lancaster
160 Julian Jimenez (’19)
"Julian left a huge impact on the program. A 3x regional qualifier that smashed a few of our team records." - Ryan Lancaster
171 Joey McClure (’11) 
"Joey comes from the McClure family, arguably the one most important family to come through our program. His leg scissor were guaranteed to pop your rib." - Coach Lancaster
189 Steven McClure (’10) 
"Steven would rather throw ya than know ya. I loved his style and he opened up the doors to other wrestlers to go upper body. " - Coach Lancaster
215 Nate Colvin (’13) 
"Wrestling Nate was more of a chess match. His cerebral defense made it almost impossible to takedown." - Coach Lancaster
285 Miguel Correa (’13)
."The Correa brothers were such an important part of my coaching story. Miguel gained renowned for his athletic and technical style and he dominated 285 for 3 years. Barring an injury in the semi-finals, I truly believe he should have been a state champion." - Coach Lancaster
There you have it. Anyone we miss? Let us know and we look forward to the next All-Decade Team. 
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HOLLAND, MI
In an effort to keep everyone informed (athletes, parents, administrators, and alumni) we are launching our web based newsletter. Here are the happenings for everything West Ottawa Wrestling related! 
SUMMER- MAKING THE BEST OF IT
Obviously Covid-19 has put us all at a disadvantage when it comes to training. But that doesn't have to stop us! We had Pantherstyle athletes all over the country learning, growing, or just having fun! Some of our wrestlers attended the Shadow Wrestling Clinics at Tunnel Park. They included Mathew Hakken, Owen Foster, James Diel, Kaitlynn Heck, Vinny Uildriks, Zandir Kladder, James Foster, Markko Foster, Gaven Lancaster-Cruz, Aiden Lancaster-Cruz, and Trey Nadolsky Wrestlers participated in the WO Summer Conditioning for Football as well. They included Caidyn Kladder, James Diel, and Mathew Hakken. Aiden Lancaster-Cruz and Trey Nadolsky attendedCrossfit with 2001 Alumni Eli Coffman. We had a slew of wrestlers cross train with baseball. These included Owen Foster, James Foster, Braylon Cates, Abel Anaya, Jalen Cantu, and Raenen Cantu. Caidyn Kladder attended the Rise & Fire Showcase in Chicago for football. Emilio Castaneda headed out west for a kayak adventure in the Colorado. TRIVIA! How many Academic All-State wrestling teams has West Ottawa had? (Answer at the bottom!) QUOTE "Once the ref blew the final whistle, I was the happiest person in the world.“" - Ramon Correa, Class of 2014 (after winning the 2014 West Ottawa Invite)
Shadow Wrestling Clinics
SUMMER WORKOUTS
We are excited to announce several opportunities available to all West Ottawa athletes. First, Summer conditioning will begin in June at the High School. Essentially:
Schedule Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday Group 1- Football Players Only
In an effort to keep our athletes training in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent quarantines, West Ottawa Wrestling has teamed up with Myrmidon Training Systems to offer up remote wrestling training. Each week we will be adding new assignments in all seven categories of training, as well as special "quarantine technique" from their YouTube channel. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Coach Lancaster or Myrmidon Wrestling.
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN TRAINING TRIVIA ANSWER: Six (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) 
HOLLAND, MI
In an effort to keep everyone informed (athletes, parents, administrators, and alumni) we are launching our web based newsletter. Here are the happenings for everything West Ottawa Wrestling related! 
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Obviously Covid-19 has put us all at a disadvantage when it comes to training. But that doesn't have to stop us! Here are few opportunities that Coach Lancaster has found! If you have any more to add, or have any questions, feel free to email him at lancasterr@westottawa.net Pictured Rocks Camp Purler Camp Ken Chertow The Rumble TRIVIA! Who was West Ottawa's very first state champion in wrestling? (Answer at the bottom!) QUOTE "...Every day in practice, he (Michael McClure) always beat the living crap out of me,”..." - Gerardo Garcia, Class of 2010
Shadow Wrestling Clinics
SUMMER WORKOUTS
We are excited to announce several opportunities available to all West Ottawa athletes. First, Summer conditioning will begin in June at the High School. Essentially:
Schedule Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday Group 1- Football Players Only
In an effort to keep our athletes training in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent quarantines, West Ottawa Wrestling has teamed up with Myrmidon Training Systems to offer up remote wrestling training. Each week we will be adding new assignments in all seven categories of training, as well as special "quarantine technique" from their YouTube channel. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Coach Lancaster or Myrmidon Wrestling.
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN TRAINING
TRIVIA ANSWER:
Rob Renes, 1995  HOLLAND, MI In an effort to keep everyone informed (athletes, parents, administrators, and alumni) we are launching our web based newsletter. Here are the happenings for everything West Ottawa Wrestling related!  In an effort to keep our athletes training in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent quarantines, West Ottawa Wrestling has teamed up with Myrmidon Training Systems to offer up remote wrestling training. Each week we will be adding new assignments in all seven categories of training, as well as special "quarantine technique" from their YouTube channel. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Coach Lancaster or Myrmidon Wrestling. CLICK HERE TO BEGIN TRAINING  PANTHERSTYLE VIRTUAL BANQUET RESULTS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to host our traditional banquet this spring. Each year, this is an event that our student-athletes, coaches, and Pantherstyle Family members look forward to gathering and celebrating the accomplishments of these men and women. Below is the results of our first annual virtual banquet held on our website and social media this week. These men and women deserve a tremendous amount of recognition and deserve to be celebrated. This year, we also included the middle school and Panther Elite programs as well. This is the first time we have hosted all K-12 athletes under one banner. Full Results HERE Record Almanac HERE TRIVIA! What was the largest West Ottawa margin of victory in a dual meet? (Answer at the bottom!) QUOTE "...This team and wrestling itself have been a great part of my life, but all of you will have bad days, but don’t let those bad days control and work past them...." - Logan Hornshaw, Class of 2020  We are excited to announce several opportunities available to all West Ottawa athletes. First, Summer conditioning will begin in June at the High School. Full nformation from WOPS and the MHSAA are attached in this email. But essentially:
Schedule Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday Group 1- Football Players Only
 Shadow Wrestling Clinics
TRIVIA ANSWER:
78-0 vs. Ottawa Hills on Jan. 11, 2017 West Ottawa Wrestling Virtual Banquet
5/12/2020
 HOLLAND, MI Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to host our traditional banquet this spring. Each year, this is an event that our student-athletes, coaches, and Pantherstyle Family members look forward to gathering and celebrating the accomplishments of these men and women. Below is the schedule for when we will be releasing award information on our website as well as across all of our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter). We need the Pantherstyle Family to help us out and Like, Share, Comment, and Retweet these posts! These men and women deserve a tremendous amount of recognition and deserve to be celebrated. This year, we also will be including the middle school and Panther Elite programs as well. This is the first time we have hosted all K-12 athletes under one banner. Events kick off May 18, 2020: Meeting ID: 810 576 5922 Password: 2rcrZr  HIGH SCHOOL '19-'20 Trends vs. '18-'19 Season
SPECIAL AWARDS Off-Season Champ- Mathew Hakken Sportsmanship- Mathew Hakken Panther Award- Logan Hornshaw Invictus Award- Ito Huerta MIP- Omar Salas MVP (Girls)- Maritza Rodriguez MVP- Owen Foster COACH KRUNCH AWARD -Beth Nichols VARSITY AWARD WINNERS FRESHMAN
VARSITY TEAM CAPTAINS
ALL-AREA TEAM FIRST TEAM
TEAM RESULTS
HS TEAM STATS
HS CATEGORY LEADERS WINS
 MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL AWARDS
 PANTHER ELITE SPECIAL AWARDS Most Outstanding Wrestler
OPEN LETTERS "I have to be honest that this team was one of the best teams that I have been a part of, I see potential in everyone on this team to be great, They all have great work ethic. For the freshman and sophomores on the team, you are the future of this team, you all have the potential of going to state or doing whatever your goals in wrestling are, but don’t skip out on the work, don’t make excuses, and don’t ever be scared of the person in front of you on that mat. For the juniors, the soon to be seniors, you guys will be the new leaders of this team, lead by example and show the team how we work. This team and wrestling itself have been a great part of my life, but all of you will have bad days, but don’t let those bad days control and work past them. Thank you to all of the team members and coaching staff for the 7 years that have been great because of this team." -Logan Hornshaw, Class of 2020 "As everyone knows, this past season was my first with the program. I was excited to begin the season and to be a part of the West Ottawa wrestling program. I started with high expectations, not only for the wrestlers but the coaching staff as well and those expectations were highly met. I couldn't have been more proud to be a part of this competitive organization. In the years I’ve been around this sport, I’m always amazed by the young men and women that are willing to step out of their comfort zone and be a part of such a physically and mentally demanding sport. There was a lot of amazing wrestling that happened this season and I believe it will only continue to grow. I am proud of each and every one of you and can't wait to see you all on the mat again next fall." -Coach John Razoog "Hope everyone is safe and healthy and wish nothing but the best for you and your families during this time. I thought this season was a complete success and so thankful we were able to finish out our season while others weren’t so fortunate due to the covid pandemic. There were a lot of positives on this years season and I was so thankful to coach you all. I thought we started off extremely strong at Hesperia going 2-0. We Killed it at the Gobles tournament again. We defeated EK to finally end our losing streak in conference dual play in the OK Red. We should of and almost beat a rank team at Chip Hills. This years team made history by winning the most duals in a season in West Ottawa team history and lastly for another straight year we achieved academic all state. You all have a lot to be proud of, you gave it your all this season. We had a young team with many underclassmen in the starting lineup and they all proved they belonged and earned their spot. Each and everyone of you played a vital role on this years success and us coaches can’t thank you enough. I can’t wait for day we are all back on the mat again. Hopefully by then we will have fully recovered and rested and ready to roll. Though this season was a success, let’s make it our goal for next year, have it be a much more successful one. Until then be safe and healthy. Love you all!" -Coach Mathias Sarli First off, let me say I hate post-season awards. Its is impossible to truly give special recognition to everyone this season. Nothing tangible can quantify your hard work, integrity, commitment, or sacrifice this season. If you made it through all of the trial and tribulations you have my sincerest gratitude. None of this happens without you. NONE of it. Without you, we would not have broke the records. Without you, we would not have won the tournaments. Without you, we would not have been Academic All-State. Without you, we would not have had all the fun and grown as people. Uncertain times we live in, but not to a Pantherstyle wrestler. We thrive on chaos. Because we know opportunity eventually makes itself know. And we will always been ready to capitalize. I love you all! -Coach Ryan Lancaster |
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