Coach Ancil brings decades of experience as an athlete, competitor, and leader to the Lakewood Ranch wrestling program. A native of Kettering, Ohio, Pat was a standout wrestler at Fairmont East High School, becoming the school’s first state qualifier and earning team captain and MVP honors. Pat later attended Sinclair Community College and founded a YMCA wrestling program for underserved youth in Dayton. Pat enjoyed a rewarding 30+ year career in retail loss prevention leadership, as a Director for Federated Department Stores and American Retail Group Divisions. In 2005, Pat returned to competitive wrestling, winning multiple medals at the Veterans National Championships and earning a bronze medal at the 2012 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary as a member of the USA Veterans Wrestling Team.

Pat joined the Lakewood Ranch High School wrestling team as a volunteer coach in 2005, was promoted to Assistant coach in 2006 and became head coach in 2007, a position that he currently holds. Under Pat’s leadership, the Mustangs have compiled a 368-114 dual meet record, captured multiple district titles, produced 35 State qualifiers, 16 State Place winners, 3 State finalists and 7 wrestlers who went on to wrestle in college.

Off the mats, Pat has instilled the importance of excellence in the classroom by setting up mentoring programs for all wrestlers. Pat has guided the Mustangs to two State GPA titles, while the team has placed in the top team each year, for the last 12 years. Coach Ancil’s coaching philosophy is rooted in three core pillars: “Paying It Forward Tradition,” This is the cornerstone of his program- community involvement. “Academic Excellence” Grades come first! Wrestling is a sport, but grades follow you for life “Student-Led Leadership” Empowers the seniors to foster a culture of leadership with all the underclassmen passing on the life skills they have learned throughout their time as a Mustang!