Varsity Wrestling
Program Overview
Philosophy
The Lake Highland Preparatory School wrestling program is consistently one of the strongest in the state of Florida, year after year. The coaching staff takes pride in getting every piece of talent out of each and every individual wrestler. Whether a seasoned wrestler vying for an individual State Championship or a newcomer who has never competed, we welcome you to the program.
Success
The Lake Highland Preparatory School wrestling program is nationally ranked, recognized as one of the strongest development programs in the nation, and competes on a national schedule. We have achieved the highest levels of success at both the individual and team levels in our program. Highlander wrestlers are seven-time Florida State Champions and regularly named on National Top 10 lists.
Recent accolades include:
- 2011 - Finished 3rd in the State
- 2012 - Won 1st State Title
- 2013 - Won 2nd State Title
- 2014 - Placed 2nd at State Tournament
- 2015 - Won 3rd State Title and recognized on the “Fab 50” national ranking list
- 2016 - Won 4th State Title and finished in the Top 10 in all major National polls
- 2017 - Won 5th State Title and finished 4th in all major National polls
- 2018 - Won Inaugural Dual State Championship, won 6th State Title and was ranked #7 in the Nation. Set National record for most points scored in a State Tournament (333).
- 2019 - Won 2nd Dual State Championship, 7th State Title and finished 4th in all major National polls.
- 2020 - Won 3rd Dual State Championship and 8th State Title
Facilities
Weng Family Gymnasium
A 1,100-seat multi-purpose facility, the Weng Family Gymnasium is home to the Highlander boys and girls Volleyball teams, boys and girls Basketball teams, and Wrestling teams. The Weng Family Gymnasium also features boys and girls locker rooms, a 3,750-square-foot Strength & Conditioning weight room, the Gina Martin Training Room, Athletic Administration offices, and Physical Education offices. In 2019, two new scoreboards and one new video board were added to provide an exciting player and spectator experience.
Highlander Strength & Conditioning Facility
Located inside Weng Family Gymnasium, our 3,700-square-foot Strength & Conditioning Facility at Lake Highland is second to none. Equipped with seven platforms for Olympic-style lifts, three squat rack platforms, free weights, assisted lift machines, a total body jungle, and a designated area for cardio machines.
Schedule & Scores
Coaching Staff
-
Mike Palazzo
Varsity Head Coach -
Brandon Scott
Varsity Assistant Coach -
Joe Bakewell
Varsity Assistant Coach -
Thomas Scott
Strength & Conditioning CoachThomas "Coach T" Scott has been the strength and conditioning coach at LHP for over 15 years. Previously, he was the head strength and conditioning coach at Rutgers University, where he trained 21 Olympic sports teams. He has trained athletes from high school to professional athletes from all over the world. Coach T has also been a professional strength coach for Washington Freedom, New York Power, Orlando Pride, and The Chicago Redstars.