Father Ryan Wrestling 2025 Season Recap: A Legacy of Champions, A Future Rebuilding
In the high-stakes world of competitive high school wrestling, standards at Father Ryan High School have always been exceptionally high—and that’s no accident. Under the intense, focused leadership of Head Coach Patrick Simpson, the 2025 winter wrestling season was marked by remarkable individual success, team excellence, and a hunger for continued growth. While the team didn’t capture a state title this year—a metric Coach Simpson bluntly calls the benchmark—there’s no denying that Father Ryan’s wrestling program remains among the elite in the region and the nation.
“If you don’t win the state, it is a disappointing season,” Simpson stated candidly, reflecting the kind of drive and competitive spirit that has shaped the program’s identity for years. But even with that high bar, the 2025 campaign had plenty to celebrate—All-Americans, dominant performances, and a senior class that has left a legacy few could match.
Key Contributors: Elite Talent Across the Board
Coach Simpson wasted no time crediting not just his athletes but also his staff. “The coaching staff did a great job preparing this team,” he said. And the results speak for themselves.
Four wrestlers earned All-American honors this season—Tanner Tran, Brody Gobbell, Casen Roark, and Chancery Deane—a remarkable achievement that underscores the depth and quality of Father Ryan’s program. These athletes not only racked up wins, but did so on some of the biggest stages in high school wrestling.
Casey Roark stands out as a generational talent, winning his fourth consecutive state championship this year. In a sport where every match is a physical and mental grind, winning one title is impressive—four is a legacy.
Brody Gobbell, another star of this decorated senior class, claimed his second state title, while Chancery Deane matched that with two of his own. Ethan Lampert, rounding out the list of senior champions, took home one state title during his career, adding to the impressive list of accolades this group has collected.
Season Highlights: Dominance at the Drennan Invitational
While a state title eluded the team, there were still performances that reminded everyone of Father Ryan’s wrestling pedigree. Chief among them was their performance at the Johnny Drennan Invitational, a key midseason tournament that often sets the tone for the second half of the year.
According to Coach Simpson, it was there that the team wrestled its absolute best, finishing a full 50 points ahead of Union County, Kentucky’s eventual state champions. That level of dominance against elite competition is no fluke. It’s the product of relentless preparation, discipline, and belief.
That tournament performance not only sent a message across state lines but also gave the squad confidence and momentum heading into the postseason. Though the ultimate team goal remained out of reach, the Drennan Invitational was a moment that crystallized what this group was capable of at full strength.
Rising Roles and Continued Growth
Although many of the headlines were written by seniors, growth within the program extended beyond the veterans. Simpson highlighted how even amidst the star power, wrestlers like Casen Roark continued to grow—both as competitors and as leaders. Despite already being a three-time champion coming into the season, Roark didn’t plateau. Instead, he refined his skillset, continued to raise his level, and capped off his career with a fourth state title, joining the elite company of four-time state champs.
This kind of growth—pushing even the best to get better—is what Coach Simpson demands of his athletes.
Leadership from the Senior Class
In wrestling, leadership isn't about speeches—it's about showing up, day after day, when the grind hits hardest. This year’s senior class was one of the strongest Coach Simpson has ever had, both in talent and character.
“This is one of the best senior classes,” Simpson said, a powerful compliment given the caliber of athletes that have come through Father Ryan. These seniors weren't just individual stars—they were the emotional and competitive engine of the team.
Each brought something unique:
Brody Gobbell, with his second state title, was a technical master and a dependable force.
Casen Roark, already a legend in Tennessee wrestling, led by the sheer weight of his consistency and dominance.
Ethan Lampert added quiet toughness and produced a title of his own.
Chancery Deane, another dual state champ, showed up big in crucial moments.
Their legacy will be felt in the room for years. They’ve set a standard of excellence that younger athletes can now chase.
Looking Ahead: A Time to Rebuild and Refocus
With the departure of such a high-powered senior class, Father Ryan will enter a rebuilding phase—but that doesn’t mean expectations will dip. “We’re rebuilding with some great kids,” Simpson said optimistically. That mindset reflects confidence not just in the athletes returning, but in the program’s culture.
The off-season will be a time of development. “Getting better” is the clear focus, according to Simpson, whether that means refining technique, building strength, or stepping into new leadership roles. The returning wrestlers now have the opportunity to step out of the shadows and define the next era of Father Ryan Wrestling.
And for this program, "rebuilding" doesn’t mean starting from scratch—it means reloading with new talent and forging them into champions.
The Program and the Process
Success in wrestling isn’t measured solely by titles—it’s built in the day-to-day process, in the sweat and sacrifice most people never see. Father Ryan’s coaching staff, led by Coach Simpson, has cultivated a culture that breeds that level of commitment.
While this season didn’t end with a team state title, individual success was historic. The experience of wrestling alongside some of the best in the country will undoubtedly leave a mark on the younger athletes. They’ve seen greatness up close. Now it’s their turn to chase it.
For those looking to dive deeper into the team’s statistics, match history, and individual records, TrackWrestling remains the go-to platform for comprehensive data.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 wrestling season at Father Ryan High School was a journey of grit, excellence, and championship-caliber competition. The absence of a state title will motivate the program moving forward, but there’s no questioning the success, both individual and collective, that marked this campaign.
From four All-Americans to multiple state champions to the dominant showing at the Johnny Drennan Invitational, this team proved its place among the best in the nation.
And as the curtain falls on a historic senior class, the stage is set for the next generation to carry the torch, trained, inspired, and ready.
In a sport that reveals character with every match, the 2025 Father Ryan wrestling team showed what true champions are made of.
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