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Lakota East has a new wrestling coach.

Jim Lehman was approved by the school board to become the second head coach in the Thunderhawks 11th season.

"It feels good," Lehman said. "I've been running the program this whole year, so it is par for the course."

Lehman, 38, replaces Bob Latessa who began the East program. Latessa made his decision before the beginning of this past season and remained the head coach in name only. He turned the day to day activities and coaching over to Lehman, an assistant under Latessa for the past 10 years.

"My philosophy is dedication in everything you do in life," Lehman said. "The lessons learned in wrestling should carry into life. I want the kids to be successful on the mat, in the classroom and as people."

Lehman has been coaching wrestling for 16 seasons, the past 11 at East and also spent 3 years as a head coach at North Warren Regional HS in New Jersey.

"I'd like to do a couple of things we haven't done yet at East," Lehman said. "I want to win a GMC (Greater Miami Conference) title, win a district title. We have gotten some kids to districts and state. I want to get some of the things we haven't gotten to yet."

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