Oster named Lockport wrestling coach

The four Oster brothers have made their mark on Lockport wrestling, each finishing his career among the all-time winners at the school.

Now the oldest Oster, Josh, gets the opportunity to direct the Porters, for whom he has been an assistant coach for the past eight years.

He replaces head coach Joe Williams, who recently retired following a successful run that featured plenty of highlights from the Osters.

Jameson Oster, a member of Lockport’s Class of 2011, leaves with a school-record 153 wins. His older brothers Jake (135), Chris (124) and Josh (112) rank among the program’s top eight.

Josh, the school’s leader in career victories when he graduated in 2002, is a special education instructor at the Central campus.

“This is definitely an exciting opportunity,” Josh Oster said. “It’s kind of a bittersweet thing since everyone wants to put their mark on something.

“I knew that this might be coming for a while and this was sort of the plan for a few years. Now the time is here. It should be a fun experience.

“Joe’s done a lot of good things for Lockport and he’ll still do some volunteer things, and I have a feeling we might see him do more at some point.”

Oster, once an aspiring engineer, decided to get into education and has worked on his master’s degree from Lewis University while coaching.

He also coaches in the offseason, working with Lockport kids as well as freestyle and cadet dual teams at the state and national levels.

During the past six years, he worked with Williams at the varsity level and was on hand for some of the Porters’ most exciting moments.

There have been 12 medals won by six Porters in the last four years, including titles from Brad Johnson (2011) and Jameson Oster (2009).

In 2010, Lockport won its first regional title.

Yet, Josh Oster believes the team’s greatest accomplishments have been in the classroom.

“It’s not just wins and losses,” he said. “What I learned from Joe is the importance of developing character and holding kids to a high standard.

“Every year we had some goals, such as having no code of conduct violations and winning the highest GPA for a winter sports teams. They go together with being successful on the mat, and in order to do those things you have to be disciplined and work hard and commit yourself.”

Veteran assistant coaches George Brecheisen and Matt Bartley, will remain with the Porters’ coaching staff. Jake Oster, a 2004 state champ and four-time All-American and NCAA champion at Elmhurst College, also will help.

With two-time placewinners Shaun’Qae McMurtry and Johnson returning, the Porters look to continue the success they had under Williams.

“I’ve known Joe since 1998, and that’s a big chunk of my life, and my brothers have known him for an even bigger part of their lives,” Josh Oster said. “He got kids who were going to work hard and would apply themselves to being better people. After that was in place, the rest of the success followed.

“We’ve got great leaders for next year with two state finalists who are both fantastic kids. And I’m glad I have so many good coaches helping me out.”

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