Home of
Adam Wheeler
2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist

Head Coach: Pat Hayhurst
phayhurst@avhsd.org
726-7649 ext. 209

Coach Hayhurst took over as the head coach at Lancaster mid-season in 2002 and took the program to its best season ever in the 2004-05 season when they finished second in the Golden League and went to the CIF Team tournament. He wrestled for 9 years while in school, continues to wrestle Freestyle and Greco-Roman as an adult and became a Veterans Class All-American in 2008. Coach Hayhurst was a high school referee for three years in Arizona and is now the head official for the Southern California Wrestling Association officiating both Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The 2009-10 season marks his 14th year of coaching wrestling. He has amassed a varsity career dual meet record of 145 wins and 94 losses. Coach Hayhurst also teaches Geology at Lancaster High School. He is a husband and a father to three kids.

Coach Carr, originally from Colorado, brings to the program many years of wrestling and coaching experience. Coach Carr brings to the program a mid-west style of wrestling he gained during high school and college. Prior to coming to Lancaster he helped coach at Quartz Hill while his son Jeremy was wrestling there. He helps mainly with the varsity and runs the conditioning part of the program.

Coach McDonald joined the staff in 2007 and is now the Junior Varsity Coach. He also coaches football and baseball at Lancaster High School. His expertise lies within the realm of strength and conditioning along with body mechanics. Coach McDonald brings with him a perspective from the other side of the valley as he graduated from Palmdale High School, earned a degree from AVC and now works for Edison Electric Company.

Coach Valdespino joined the staff in 2009 after coaching football at Lancaster on the Freshmen level. He is a former Lancaster high school wrestler and team member from 1995 through 1999. Coach Valdespino works with the Freebird Wrestling Club and is the Kids Coach in that program. Coach Valdespino is also married and soon to be father.

Coach Humphreys is a graduate of Antelope Valley High School and has coached in the area in football and wrestling for nearly 30 years. His specialties lie in the area of strength and conditioning. Now retired, Coach Humphreys is a motivational speaker on a volunteer basis. He talks to kids at all of the local high schools about tragedies which he has encountered throughout his life and encourages teens to "listen to their parents." He brings that motivational attitude to the Eagles' wrestling team. 

Coach Montanez, a graduate of Lancaster High School, 2008, joins the staff this year as a volunteer assistant. He works full-time at Highland High School as a para-educator working in the special education department. 

Mrs. Raczka joined the staff in 2006 as the team's academic coach. Her role in the program is to work with the students in all areas academic. She runs a tutoring program for wrestlers both during and after the season. She works as an Algebra teacher at Lancaster and at times even helps out at practice.