Westlake High School Wrestling Coach Steps Down

WESTLAKE, OH - Westlake High School's head wrestling coach, Joe Heiland, is stepping down after three years with the team. Heiland said in a statement that he wants to spend more time with his growing family, which just welcomed its third boy last week.

“Family will always come first for me”, said Heiland in the statement. “I am excited to watch the program grow from the sidelines. I just feel that at this time in my life, I need to embrace and build on my achievements in education and coaching, while pursuing the right balance between my family, teaching and my passion for wrestling. I want my athletes to continue to improve and make the right choices in their lives and to always outwork their opponents.”

The 2016-2017 season was one of the wrestling team's best under Heiland. The team finished in the top three in every tournament that it entered and won three tournaments outright. Heiland has coached 12 district qualifiers during his three year tenure, including five this past season. He also had six wrestlers score 30 or more wins this year.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Heiland's run came this past season when senior 170-pounder Moe Zayed finished 4th in the Westlake section before making it all the way to the district final, finishing second, and qualifying for state competition. Zayed eventually lost in the opening round of state competition to the eventual state champion.

The school district says the middle school team and elementary program have also grown during Heiland's tenure.

Heiland will continue to serve as a physical education teacher in the Westlake Schools. The district says the search for his replacement will begin immediately.

Photo from Westlake Schools