In a one-on-one sport like wrestling, there are moments in matches where a competitor will “break” due to the overwhelming effort of his opponent.
Coatesville’s Nate Lucier . (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
In the East Super Regional finals, last month, Coatesville’s Nate Lucier had every excuse to fall into that trap and just give up.
A younger Lucier may have.
But down six against Bethlehem Catholic’s Matt Mayer, midway through the third period, Lucier had no intention of seeing his perfect season muddied.
“When he wrestled that kid from BECA, during a blood timeout he was so poised,” Coatesville coach Jeff Bowyer said. “He knew he put himself in a hole and he just said, ‘I’m gonna dig myself out.’ He was so composed. He would not have done that as a junior.”
Lucier outscored Mayer 10-2 down the stretch, including a takedown and a pair of near-fall points at the buzzer to win the bout.
“Last year I don’t think I would’ve bounced back like I did,” Lucier said. “This year I knew who I was and knew I belonged with those guys.”
It was a season to remember for Lucier (132 pounds), who, like his fellow Ches-Mont League mates, Sammy McMonagle of West Chester Henderson and Downingtown West’s Dom Findora, finished fourth at the PIAA Championships. But Lucier was the only area wrestler to win a sectional, regional and super regional title along the way, distinguishing himself as the Daily Local News’ 2021 Wrestler of the Year.
Coatesville’s Nate Lucier talks with coach Jeff Bowyer during his match against Bethlehem Catholic’s Matt Mayer. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
Lucier’s transformation from an overly energetic kindergartner with no attention span, as he explains it, to an unflappable senior will be part of the legacy as one of the most successful wrestlers in Coatesville history.
Lucier finished his career with a record of 115-27, was the second two-time regional champ in from Coatesville (Mike Boykin) and the third two-time state medalist (Boykin, Chase Stephens).
“He’s the strongest leader by example I’ve had, as an assistant or head coach here,” Bowyer said. “He’s always doing the right thing. He always wants to help every teammate and I’ve never seen that before. He cared about every kid.”
With the abbreviated season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lucier coasted to the postseason, where he was untested until his epic dual against Mayer.
In Hershey, Lucier reached the state semifinals, where he couldn’t get out from bottom in the third period against Hempfield’s eventual state champ, Briar Priest. Lucier pinned Mayer in sudden victory in the consolation semifinals, before dropping his final match against Bellefonte’s Jude Swisher.
“It was definitely important and memorable,” Lucier said. “Making the jump from sixth-place (as a junior) to fourth, I didn’t get the outcome I wanted, but I’m glad I got to spend the season with my teammates and the guys.”
Coatesville’s Nate Lucier squares off against Bethlehem Catholic’s Matt Mayer in the East Super Regional final. (Nate Heckenberger – For MediaNews Group)
The next phase for Lucier is Binghamton University. While many high school seniors move on to the next level, running on fumes or fighting off burnout, Lucier appears to be heading to the NCAA realm with momentum on his side.
“His best days are ahead of him,” Bowyer said. “And if he chooses to, he might be a better coach than he was a wrestler. He’s one of those kids who’s so passionate about everyone getting better and he’s one of the top five kids I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. His personality, his makeup, his focus, the respect he has for wrestling, those are the things you can’t teach.”
Bowyer recognized it is going to be hard to replace Lucier, but Coatesville’s loss is Binghamton’s gain.
“I’m definitely ready to get in the room and work with my college coaches,” Lucier said. “I’m ready to get better.”
