Outstanding L.B. Wrestling Coach Earns National Award

Paul Gillespie, a longtime Long Beach resident and wrestling coach at Wantagh High School, was named National High School Wrestling Coach of the Year.

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, D-Long Beach, and Senator Charles Fuschillo visited the high school to present Gillespie with a Legislative Resolution honoring him for his outstanding season on June 14.

“This year's team was a team that knew how to overcome adversity and win at each level,” Gillespie said. “The staff was a group of outstanding coaches, administrators, and parents who helped contribute to this great season.”

During the 2012-2013 season Gillespie coached the Wantagh team to Nassau County League 3A Dual Meet Champions, Nassau County Dual Meet and Tournament Champions, New York State Dual Meet Champions and New York State Tournament Champions, in addition to 40 consecutive match wins. Gillespie further coached five wrestlers in 2013 to All-State wrestling honors.

To be eligible for the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Coach of the Year award, recipients must first be selected as state and regional award winners.  They are then selected within their respective categories by a panel of NWCA scholastic representatives.

The Wantagh wrestling team was also ranked first in New York State Public High School Athletic Association Division I wrestling by New York State reporters during the 2012-2013 season.