PEMBERVILLE – Drew Lashaway has been hired as Eastwood’s new wrestling head coach for the 2023-24 school year, taking over for Joe Wyant.
“He is a proud alumnus of Eastwood High School and is excited to be back at his alma mater to take over our wrestling program,” Eastwood outgoing athletic director Jeff Hill said in a statement.
“Drew will be another great addition to our coaching family and is well aware of our culture and is excited to work with our athletes and all of our coaches in the coming days, months and years.
“We are excited for Drew to be part of the Eagle coaching family and look forward to the energy and excitement he brings to our program and our athletic department. He will definitely add to our already strong and proud culture of Eastwood.”
Taking over at his alma mater, Lashaway’s career has come full circle.
“This community is where my family chose to call home again after being out of the area for 13 years since my graduation in 2004,” Lashaway said.’
“My wife Sherri and I built our forever home on the farm in Eastwood district and have three future Eagles, one being my son in kindergarten at Eastwood elementary.
“I am vested in this community and hold the values and morals that I was taught and learned in this district dear to my heart.”
“I am very grateful to be back involved with Eastwood Local Schools, not only where I have deep roots, but to be back with family.
“I’m truly excited and humbled to be joining our school community and look forward to building a strong wrestling program that embodies integrity, resilience, and a passion for the sport. Their commitment to excellence, coupled with their ability to inspire and motivate, makes my heart thrive with joy.”
At Eastwood, Lashaway won a state championship his senior year and was a three-time state qualifier, three-time league champion, and two-time team captain.
NCAA qualifier
After graduating from Eastwood, Lashaway received a college scholarship to Kent State University and earned a starting spot all four years starting for the Golden Flashes, winning a 2009 Mid-American Conference championship.
During that time, Kent State won a conference team title and Lashaway was named team captain.
During the 2008 and 2009 seasons Lashaway qualified and competed twice for the Division I NCAA wrestling championships.
As a post undergraduate at Kent, Lashaway was hired at the university as a graduate assistant coach working towards my master’s degree.
He served as assistant coach for two years while finishing my master’s degree and was then hired back as the assistant wrestling coach in 2016 season.
“Throughout that time, I mentored and trained multiple All-Americans and a national champion as well,” Lashaway said.
Lashaway coached 13 years as a volunteer assistant (2009-11) at Kent State and two years as an assistant (2015-16) with the Golden Flashes.
He was an assistant coach at Massillon Perry High School from 2011-15, where he was named National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014.
In 2011-12, Perry was the Division I state tournament team runner-up and Federal League champions. They had four individual state champions and were nationally ranked at 11th in the country.
In 2012-13, Perry repeated as state tournament runner-up and state team dual tournament runner-up, won the Federal League championship, and had two individual state champions, seven individual state placers and were ranked 12th nationally.
In 2013-14, Perry won the Division I state championship, defeating perennial power Lakewood St. Edward, and also won the state dual tournament championship. Perry had three individual state champions, seven state finalists, 10 state placers, and were ranked sixth nationally.
Back to Northwest Ohio
Lashaway spent six years as an assistant coach at Clay under another Eastwood alum, Ralph Cubberly, when he was coach there. Lashaway was voted the state’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021.
Under Cubberly, Lashaway was part of five league championships and had multiple state qualifiers and placers. Lashaway remains a teacher at Oregon City Schools.
As a youth volunteer coach at Eastwood, he saw the Eagles win a league championship in 2023 and finish as runner-up in 2022. Lashaway was also an Ohio National Freestyle assistant coach two years.
Lashaway says he looks forward to the responsibility facing him at his alma mater.
“As the head wrestling coach, I am committed to upholding the values and standards set by Eastwood Local Schools,” Lashaway stated in a letter released to media.
“I will work diligently to promote a positive team culture, instill a strong work ethic, and foster an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity.
“Additionally, I will prioritize the physical and mental well-being of the student-athletes, ensuring they have access to proper training facilities, appropriate coaching techniques, and comprehensive support systems.”
Lashaway says he hopes to build on what Wyant left him.
“I am eager to collaborate with the coaching staff, faculty, and administration to enhance the wrestling program and contribute to the overall success of Eastwood Local Schools,” Lashaway said.
“Together, we can create an environment that inspires student-athletes to achieve their full potential and make significant strides in their wrestling and academic careers.”
