Former Lapeer West wrestling coach, John Virnich, named to Wrestling Hall of Fame

Former Lapeer West High School wrestling coach John Virnich, who led teams that won back-to-back State Division II championships in 2000 and 2001, was inducted into the Michigan Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on May 17th at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.

During his ten year coaching career at Lapeer West, Mr. Virnich coached ten individual state champions, 34 state place winners and 68 state qualifiers. In 2001, Lapeer West High School was ranked 20th in the U.S. and Coach Virnich was named the National Wrestling Coaches’ Association, Coach of the Year for Region 4.

Virnich’s teams also won three regional titles and nine district titles during his tenure.

He was also named Coach of the Year for the State of Michigan in 2001.

Virnich, who is retired from coaching and lives in Port Huron, began and ended his coaching career at Algonac High School, heading there in 2003 after leaving Lapeer West. Before coming to Michigan in 1991, Coach Virnich coached in Illinois and achieved success there as well.

John Virnich never had a losing season as a coach.

“I was blessed to have the opportunity to coach kids,” said Mr. Virnich. “I have good feelings about my time in Lapeer.