News

Press Release by Lakota East SID Dan Hilen:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dennis Beck is Stepping Down as Head Coach of Lakota East and West Swimming

Liberty Township, OH — March 21, 2025 — After 28 years of dedicated leadership as the head coach of the Lakota East and West swimming programs, Dennis Beck has announced his decision to retire. Since the inception of both programs, Beck has been instrumental in building a legacy of excellence in swimming and character development among the student-athletes at Lakota Schools.

“Coaching this team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Coach Beck. “I have enjoyed watching the athletes grow as swimmers and individuals. We have built an environment where team spirit, camaraderie, and fast swimming have all become part of our culture.”

Throughout Coach Beck’s tenure, he has achieved remarkable success, including:

·       28 consecutive years with a state qualifier at Lakota East or West

·       Coaching five state champions

·       Earning Greater Miami Conference (GMC) Coach of the Year honors in 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025

·       Being named Southwest District Women’s Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2022, and Men’s Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2024

·       Serving on the OHSSCA executive board and receiving the Larry Lyons Service Award (2013-14)

·       Receiving the OHSAA Sports Ethics and Integrity Award in 2017

In addition to coaching, Beck has been an integral part of the Lakota school district, beginning his teaching career at Lakota Freshman School in 1995, before moving to Lakota Ridge in 1997, and later transitioning to East Freshman School a decade ago.

“Dennis has left an indelible mark on the Lakota swimming program and the student-athletes he has mentored,” said East Athletic Director Jill Meiring. “Coach Beck’s leadership, dedication, and passion for the sport have created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”

The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with the Lakota Athletic Department committed to finding a leader who will continue to build upon the strong foundation established by Coach Beck.

Sycamore senior swimming supserstar, Addie Robillard, turned heads at the OHSAA State Swimming Championships in Canton, Ohio by winning two state titles. Addie won the 200 yard Individual Medley in a time of 2:00.7 and followed that feat up with yet another state title in the 100 yard Breastroke with a time of 1:00.82.  The GMC Girls "Swimming Athlete of the Year" helped power the Sycamore Aviators into a 7th place team positon is the state championship team totals with a score of 95 points.

Addie Robillard - Sycamore Aviators  Two-time OHSAA State Champion

(Photo compliments of Jeremy McDaniel Photography)

DICK'S Sporting Goods appreciates the outstanding efforts of GMC boys' basketball programs this past season. In a highly competitive conference filled with exceptional talent, the Greater Miami Conference head coaches have selected Lakota East's Trey Perry as the conference's "Player of the Year" and GMC champion Princeton Vikings Head Coach Bryan Wyant as the league's "Coach of the Year."

Trey Perry, Lakota East Thunderhawks' senior sharpshooting point guard, led the conference in scoring by a wide margin, averaging 22.4 points per game. Coupled with 4.2 assists per game—tying him for first in the league—Perry was undeniably an offensive force on the hardwood. Shooting an impressive 50.9% from the field, 34.7% from three-point range, and 77% from the free-throw line, he was the centerpiece of the Thunderhawks' success. In addition to being selected by the head coaches as the 2024-25 "Player of the Year," Perry has earned First-Team All-Conference honors for three consecutive years.

Trey Perry - Lakota East Thunderhawks  GMC "Player of the Year"

(Photo compliments East SID Dan Hilen)

In appreciation of his leadership in guiding his Princeton Vikings to an outright GMC title with an outstanding 14-2 league record, Head Coach Bryan Wyant was selected by his fellow head coaches as the GMC "Coach of the Year" for 2024-25. In one of the most exciting conference stretch runs in years, the title battle came down to the last night of the regular season, where Coach Wyant's Vikings held off a very determined Fairfield team to claim the outright league crown. Finishing 18-6 overall for the season, the Vikings rose from fifth place in the league in 2023-24 to first in 2024-25. Acknowledging hard work as well as program success, the GMC coaches selected Bryan Wyant as their GMC "Coach of the Year" for 2024-25.

Coach Bryan Wyant - Princeton Vikings   GMC "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Princeton Athletic Department)

DICK'S Sporting Goods is pleased to present the best of GMC Girls Basketball for 2024-25. In a vote of conference head coaches, Madision Parrish from Mason was selected as the "Player of the Year" and her coach Gideon Dudgeon was chosen by his peers as the GMC "Coach of the Year".

Madison Parrish, a senior guard for the Comets, has been selected as a first-team all-conference player for three consecutive years—every year of her varsity career. During her three-year tenure at point guard for the Comets, their conference record has been an incredible 46 wins against only two losses, and their overall record is equally impressive at 73-7. Acknowledging that basketball is a team sport, Madison's ability and leadership have played a significant role in the team's league dominance. Parrish ranked second in the conference in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game, while posting a 39% field goal percentage, 32.7% from three-point range, and 76.4% from the free-throw line.

Madison Parrish - Mason Comets - GMC "Player of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Dan Hilen Mason SID)

After taking over for Mason Girls Basketball's legendary coach, Rob Matula, first-year Comet head coach Gideon Dudgeon’s squad did not miss a beat. Not only did they win the GMC, but they also accomplished that feat in undefeated fashion with a 16-0 record. Coach Dudgeon's team then compiled a 24-2 season record on their way to yet another Southwest District Championship and an OHSAA "Elite Eight" Regional appearance. It is widely known that the greatest acknowledgment a coach can receive is the endorsement of their peers. In that light, Coach Dudgeon's peers reinforced their appreciation of his work with the Comets by selecting him as the GMC "Coach of the Year."

Head Coach Gideon Dudgeon - Mason Comets  GMC "Coach of the Year"

(Photo compliments of Mason SID Dan Hilen)

After an historic run to the OHSAA "Final Four", the Lakota West Firebirds were beaten by Reynoldsburg on a last second shot 64-63. This was the first time in Lakota West history that a boys basketball team had advanced to the OHSAA state semi-finals.