Kissimmee —Twenty-five years ago, Lake Gibson head wrestling coach Danny Walker would have loved to just win one state title. Now, a generation-and-half later, he can now marvel over the fact that the program just won an 11th overall state title after beating Somerset 38-15 in the 2026 Dual Wrestling State Championships Saturday at Osceola High School.
It’s the seventh dual state title in school history for Lake Gibson (23-1) after beating Charlotte in the semifinals on Saturday in the morning before taking on Somerset in the finals. For a school that prides itself on being workmanlike nearly all the time, it was time to enjoy the championship moment as Lake Gibson competitors rallied around each other, passing the championship trophy around before hugging the Lake Gibson contingent who made the journey from Lakeland to Kissimmee.
“I am excited. People say, ‘Does it ever get old?’ No, each one means something different. Each one brings a different type of excitement. Leading up to this one … a couple weeks we’ve been sick. We’ve had three kids who had some very serious knee injuries that were able to rehab and come back and wrestle. (We) were close to 100% this weekend. … and then top to bottom, (it) was a collective effort that every kid did. (They) went out there and just battled for their team. … Our guys just went up there and battled, and they didn’t get pinned (and) they didn’t get blown out. … That’s what makes the difference in the dual,” Walker said after the match…