Coach: Lucas Tenure

Coaching Experience: Entering 14th year as Head Coach at Olentangy High School (division 1 - 2013-25) Seven years at Lakota East High School, Cincinnati as assistant coach (division 1 - 2006-12) Coached basketball and baseball; Five years as assistant coach at Hilliard Darby & Hilliard Middle School Coached basketball and baseball.

Number of years at current school: 14

Record at current school: 221-119 

Program Accomplishments: 2025 Division 1 State Championship, 9 OCC League Championships, 7 District Championships, 2 Regional Championships (2006, 2025), 1 State Runner-Up (2006), OHSBCA Field of the Year 2009, 2018

During Coach Lucas Tenure: 4 League Championships - 16, 17, 18, 22, 3 District Championships - 16, 18, 25,  Regional Championship - 2025, State Championship - 2025, State Championship as assistant coach 2011 (Lakota East)

Coaching honors: 4 OCC-League Coach of the Year (16, 17, 18, 22), 2 Central District Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year (17, 22), PBR-Ohio (Prep Baseball Report) 2025 Coach of the Year, All-Metro Columbus Dispatch 2025 Coach of the Year, National High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 4 Coach of the Year (2025).

Season Highlights

Coming off a 10-15 record in 2024, we finished 24-7-1 and won the last 16 out of 17 games of the season to win the 2025 Division 1 State Championship. We started our season in Myrtle Beach, SC. with an opening day win vs. Anthony Wayne and lost in extra innings to Medina. We finished 2nd in the OCC Cardinal behind Olentangy Berlin. Finished the season with non-league wins vs. Upper Arlington, Olentangy Orange, and tied Olentangy Liberty heading into tournament play.

2025 Tournament Recap

We scored 34 runs and only gave up 5 runs total in six games. .525 ERA with a .700 WHIP, 43 SO’s / 13 BB’s.  Hit .297 as a team with an OPS of .777 and a .961 fielding percentage.

10-0 vs. Reynoldsburg. 5-1 vs. Hilliard Davidson (District Championship), 10-0 vs. Olentangy Berlin (Regional Semifinals), 4-2 vs. Grove City (Regional Final), 3-1 vs. Lakota West (Final Four), and 2-1 vs. Springboro (State Championship).

We were led by our program captains, seniors Cameron Birch & Carter Hire, junior Luke Chilicki, and sophomore Rocco Bucci. We had eleven players in the class of 2025, and a junior (Kaden Gebhardt) graduating early to attend Clemson University to play football. Sophomore, Rocco Bucci (Virginia Tech commit), led the way throughout the tournament hitting .647, .350 ERA / .700 WHIP, going 3-0 on the mound. Senior Cameron Birch (Marietta commit) was another stand out performer on the mound going 3-0 with a .933 ERA. Other players that played a huge role in winning the championship were Senior Carter Hire (Ohio Northern commit), Senior Dominic Pirrone, Senior Cooper Tracy (Adrian College commit), Junior Kaden Gebhardt (Clemson University for Football), and Junior Luke Chilicki.

We have a great coaching staff with a combination of veterans who have been with us for over ten years, new faces, and some alums that have come back to help out. We wouldn’t be where we are without the coaches in our program. Congratulations to Mike Walker, Todd Baker, Austin Sizemore, Taylor Neville, Eric Wells, Cole Robinson, and Griffin Murphy. 

We have talented players, but a huge reason for our success over the years has been our chemistry & bond we build throughout each and every year. Everyone was connected during this tournament run, and everyone knew their role from the starters, non-starters, coaching staff, support staff, administration, diamond club boosters, parents, and community members. We were truly “ONE” during this run to the Championship.

Special thanks to my best friend and wife, Bre, for always being there and being the best mother to our son Grayson. Winning this championship on Father’s Day with him to experience it with me is a memory I will never forget.

Coach: Ryan Donley

Career coaching experience: Head Wrestling Coach 2006-2022 (16 years); Head Baseball Coach 2022-Present (4 years)

Number of years at current school: 21 years as a teacher/coach. 4 years as the head baseball coach

Record at current school: 87-28

Program Accomplishments: 2025 DII State Champions; 2018 DI State Runner-Up; 2 Regional Championships; 7 Regional Final Appearances;10 District Championships; 20 Northern Lakes League Championships

Coaching honors: 2023 DI NW District Coach of the Year; 2025 PBR DII State Coach of the Year

Season Highlights

The 2025 team had one goal in mind, and that was to win a State Championship. Many of our players were in the program when we suffered a Final Four loss (3-2; 9 innings) to Olentangy Orange in 2023. The feeling of falling short was a motivating factor for this group. The boys set a team motto of "Go The Distance" and that is what they did. "Go The Distance" meant more than just winning. It was symbolic for doing things the right way. Loving each other. Being a good teammate. Going the distance in all things that we can control. Each player and coach embraced and practiced this daily and it was probably our biggest success and highlight of the season. 

On the field, our team finished 25-4 and were Northern Lakes League Champions, District Champions, Regional Champions, and State Champions. We had six 1 run wins, including walkoff's in the Regional Semifinal, Regional Final, and State Semifinal. Offensively, we were led by NW District and NLL Player of the Year, Eli Donawa. The Ohio State University commit, Owen Graf, was our ace and gave us a chance to win every time he took the mound. There were several individual efforts that proved influential in our overall team success. There were no egos on the 2025 team and every player had a specific and significant role that they executed selflessly.

None of our success would've been possible without the support of our families, school staff & students, and the AW community as a whole. The love we felt during the season and especially during the tournament run was something we will never forget. BLUE PRIDE!

Coach: Adam Arcuri

Coaching Experience: 15 years as head coach (Licking Valley), 18 years total

 Number of years at current school: 15 years as head coach 

Record at current school: 208-139

Program Accomplishments: 2025 State Champions, 4 District Championships, 10 League Championships

Coaching honors: LCL Coach of the Year 2014, 2018, 2024, 2025

Season Highlights

The 2025 State Championship season was one to remember, as we achieved the school's first-ever team state championship in any boys' sport. With six seniors leading the way, our team entered the season with high expectations. We were particularly strong in pitching, thanks to two of our seniors: Evan Lichtenauer, who finished with a 10-0 record (Ohio University), and Evan Roberts, who had a 10-2-1 record (Mount Union). Together, they pitched a combined total of 1361⁄3 innings, allowing just 13 earned runs, striking out 181 batters, and issuing 33 walks or hit-by-pitches, all while maintaining a .150 batting average against. While our team's achievements were a collective effort, several individual records were also set during the 2025 season. Most notably, Evan Lichtenauer had a remarkable year, earning recognition as both the LCL and District Player of the Year, in addition to being selected as a First-Team All-Ohio recipient. Our program owes its success to the unwavering support of our families, administration, community, and coaching staff, not only this season but in all the seasons before. 

Special thanks go to our varsity assistants: Kyle Godsell, Bren Henderson, Rob Howell, Trevor Mye, and Roy Whisner, as well as JVA Head Coach Justin Holman and JVB Head Coach Jared Whittington, and last but certainly not least, my family (Stephanie, Jacoby, Maxton, Brooks, and Larkin).

Coach: Lucas Daugherty

Coaching Experience: Malone University- Assistant Pitching Coach 2016-2017, WaynedaleHS - Varsity Assistant 2017-2020, WaynedaleHS - Varsity Head Coach 2021-Current

Number of years at current school: 5

Record at current school: 130-33  Program Accomplishments: 13 District Championships, 5 Regional Championships, 3 State Championships (2022, 2023, 2025)

Coaching honors: WCAL Coach of the Year- 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, National Federation High School Coach of the Year- 2023

Season Highlights

The team completed an extraordinary and historic season, finishing undefeated with a 14-0 record in the highly competitive Wayne County Athletic League. From the first game of the season, this group demonstrated remarkable focus, discipline, and a relentless drive to improve each week. Every game showcased their commitment to teamwork and preparation, and their ability to rise to every challenge that stood in their way. The players bought into the program’s culture of excellence, representing their school and community with pride, sportsmanship, and determination.

The team carried that same energy and resilience into the postseason, where they faced some of the best programs in the state. In the state semifinal, they earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Coldwater. They entered the state championship game against Graham Local with focus and determination and delivered an unforgettable performance. With strong pitching and defense, we were able to claim the state title.

Coach: Chris Dages

Coaching Experience: 18 years at Hiland, 8 as head coach, 10 as JV coach

Number of years at current school: 18 Years

Record at current school: 179-30

Program Accomplishments: 4 state championships, 3 state runner-ups, 8 regional championships, 15 district championships, 33 sectional championships, 25 conference championships (I.V.C.)

Coaching honors: 2025 OHSBCA DVI COY, EDBCA COY, I.V.C. COY

Season Highlights

2025 was a memorable year for the Hawks, accomplishing a feat only two other programs in the history of OHSAA baseball have been able to do, win three straight state championships. We came into the season having lost 4 starters from our 2024 team and facing a very tough regular season schedule. During the regular season, this team was tested against Waynedale, Lake Center Christian, Archbishop Hoban, St. Clairsville and Tri-Valley to name a few. Finishing with a record of 31-1 was no easy task with the field of quality opponents we faced in 2025.

This was a very balanced team, posting a team average of .356, lead by Seniors Danny Hostetler, Colin Coblentz and Junior Grady Monigold. Defensively, they had a team ERA of 0.97, led by Seniors Caden Coblentz and Kaden Kandel. I am extremely proud of all the guys in our program. They work extremely hard during the offseason to prepare and continually push each other to get the best out of everyone. 

I am extremely lucky to have a strong, passionate coaching staff that help to build our players into the best versions of themselves, both on and off the baseball field. I can't thank Richie Mast, Kevin Schrock, Jordan Yoder and Kendall Schlabach enough for the time and energy they pour into these young men. We are also blessed to have such a supportive community and families in our program. In 2025, we all worked together to get a turf infield installed which greatly enhanced our players' experience this year. I am excited for what the future holds for Hiland baseball.

Coach: Mike Wiss

Coaching Experience:  31 years (1995-Present) All as Head Coach at Minster. Coach of St. Marys American Legion Post 323 (summer ‘95-04, 5 state American Legion appearances) 4.

Number of years at current school: 31

Record at current school: 551-245

Program Accomplishments: 24 Sectional Championships, 6 Regional Championships  (‘03, ‘11, ‘12, ‘17, ‘19, ‘25) 10 District Championships, 4 State Championships (‘11, ‘12, ‘17. ‘25)     

Coaching honors: Named Prep Baseball Ohio Coach of the Year (Div. VII), MSA Sport + Cincinnati Reds Ohio Coach of the Year,  Inducted into the OHSBCA Coach’s Hall of Fame in 2018

Season Highlights

TEAM - Finished 26-6 winning the last 10 games of the year, District wins over Upper Scioto Valley (13-0) + Delphos St. Johns (1-0), Regional wins over New Riegel (9-8) + Montpelier (3-0), State wins over Russia (5-3) + Newark Catholic (8-0). The 2025 State Championship season was amazing.  But as we all know, there are a lot of contributing factors to all seasons.  Obviously, we had a very special group of young men.  Athletes that have gotten better at playing this crazy game - always having a goal in mind.  That goal really took shape after a tremendous summer in 2024 by winning the state ACME Championship in NW Ohio.  Playing over 30 games in a summer with your HS team is not normal in today’s day + age.  The ACME championship put an idea in everyone’s head about the upcoming spring season. 

The players really ‘bought in’ to doing the work and playing together as a TEAM as they had since they were young boys playing Little League.  Add to that, an outstanding group of assistant coaches.  Guys willing to put in the time (and often extra time) with a wide range of baseball knowledge.  They truly love the game and teaching it to our youth.  

And lastly, the community support of Minster fans is tremendous.  Great followings and great enthusiasm from the families + community help create a ‘bond’ that can never be broken.  As is often said about raising our youth today  –

“It Takes a Village”.  It truly does and we are blessed to be a part of such accompolishments.    

Our motto for each year is - "With Your Heart  --  TEAM".  We speak of what it meant to be a TEAM each and every day.  To the Wildcats, TEAM means  --  "Together Excellence, Apart Mediocrity".  The seniors accepted a very talented group of younger Wildcats, each allowing the coaching staff to teach and facilitate in the progression of improvement, to accomplish a dream.  We ask each player, manager + coach to “Give to Baseball What Baseball Deserves”.  This group sure did.  We speak of making “Memories + Relationships”.  Those are truly what we will all take with us. 

Thanks goes to all members of the 2025 edition of Wildcat Baseball in helping these young realize a dream.  Thanks to our families for supporting us, on both the good and not-so-good days and to all the others that have played at Minster prior.   You have each played a huge part in building Minster Baseball to what it is today.  It's a TEAM.