From San Juan state wrestling champion to Springville head wrestling coach
For Adam Lacy, wrestling has come full circle.
The former San Juan High School standout has been hired as the new head wrestling coach at Springville High School.
Lacy brings a wrestling background that began in southeastern Utah more than two decades ago.
He wrestled for San Juan High School during the late 1990s and early 2000s and established himself as one of the school’s top wrestlers of his era.
His high school career included three Utah state tournament medals. In 2000, Lacy placed fourth at 103 pounds at the Utah State tournament. Two years later, he again finished fourth, this time wrestling at 125 pounds.
His senior season produced one of the highlights of his high school career. Wrestling at 135 pounds for San Juan, Lacy won the 2003 2A Utah State Championship, giving him a Utah state title to go along with his two fourth-place finishes.
Lacy’s accomplishments extended beyond the wrestling mat. In 2003, he was named to the Deseret News Academic All-State team, representing San Juan in the 2A classification.
After graduating from San Juan, Lacy continued his education at Brigham Young University, eventually earning a master’s degree. He currently works for a public accounting firm in Provo and also owns his own CPA firm in Springville.
Now, Lacy returns to the sport that helped shape his youth—this time from the other side of the mat.
Coach Lacy commented, “[My wife] Heather and I both graduated from San Juan High School. We’ve lived in Springville for about 15 years, and we have four kids.
“I did help coach at Blanding Middle School and San Juan High School for a short time after returning from my mission. Most of my coaching over the years has been with my son Caden, who has wrestled since he was three.
“Caden is really the reason I’m coaching now. He was born with one arm, but he’s become a very competitive wrestler. As a sophomore last year, he came within one match of placing at the 5A state tournament.
“Watching him grow up in the sport has reminded me all over again what wrestling can do for a kid. I’ve watched it build his confidence, toughness, and belief in himself. I think the work I’ve done with Caden over the years is also part of what put me on Springville’s radar.
“That’s probably the part of this that means the most to me. Wrestling did a lot for me growing up, and now I’ve been able to see what it has done for my son. I’m excited for the opportunity to help build the wrestling culture in Springville and hopefully give a lot more kids the chance to experience that.”
For a wrestler who grew up competing for San Juan High School, earned three Utah state medals, and finished his high-school career as a Utah state champion, the next chapter promises to be a return to familiar territory. Only now he’ll be helping the next generation write their own stories.