St. Vincent-St. Mary High School announced Wednesday it has hired Justin “Harry” Lester as its wrestling coach.
Lester, a former Akron resident, is a four-time state champion from 1998-2001 while attending Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. Lester currently resides in Colorado Springs, where he is training with the U.S. Army WCAP (World Class Athlete Program) for the Olympics. He has 10 years of experience competing with Team USA, 2005-2010 and 2011-2016.
“It has always been my passion to give back to wrestling,” Lester said in a prepared statement. “I feel it is my responsibility to give every bit of knowledge of the sport back to any athlete who wants to learn.”
Lester is a two-time World bronze medalist (2006, 2007), a 2012 Olympian, an eight-time U.S. World Team member, a six-time U.S. Open champion, a 2007 Pan American Games champion, a 2005 World University Games bronze medalist and a 1999 Cadet World champion.
“The entire St. Vincent-St. Mary High School community is excited about Harry Lester joining its family,” St. V-M Athletic Director Willie McGee said in a prepared statement. “He will not only be a great coach for Irish wrestlers but will also take the sport of wrestling to a new level for young athletes in our area.”
Lester will replace interim coach Mark Skonieczny, who took over St. V-M’s wrestling program in January after Anthony Gary was dismissed as coach for an unspecified reason. Gary remains employed at the school as a strength and conditioning coordinator.
McGee said Lester has provided personal training for NCAA All-Americans and champions, and has coached at several youth clubs over the years. McGee, a 2003 St. V-M graduate, said Lester will be returning to Akron for a news conference on April 15.
Michael Beaven can be reached at 330-996-3829 or mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.