Ben Arneson competed as a high school youngster for Linganore High School, so coming full circle to not just coach his alma mater but push them into the upper echelon of the state’s hierarchy is extraordinary and a second consecutive 3A state dual meet championship has led to Arneson being named as one of Legacy Wrestling’s Coaches of the Year.
Arneson’s coaching journey began at Linganore as a Volunteer Coach from 1998 to 2006. For the 2006/2007 season Arneson moved to another school in Frederick County and took over the reigns at Urbana High School. His leadership led to a program that was consistently in the state rankings and captured two dual meet state titles under the guidance of the coaching wizard.
In 2016, Arneson made the move back to Linganore and slowly built them into their current powerhouse status. The 1994 graduate started wrestling as a freshman in high school, so his coaching exploits speak to hiswrestling acumen.
The squad that stepped on the mat at Parkville’s Knightmare Invitational in December was missing Peyton Pickett and numerous others were wrestling out of their ideal weight classes. The result was a third-place finish behind two teams they would end the year ranked above, No. 11 Rising Sun and No. 17 Calvert Hall. The Lancers ended the season as the No. 10 team in Legacy Wrestling’s Team Rankings.
A week later, Linganore traveled to West Virginia for the Jefferson Duals, where they went 6-2, placing third, with losses to the first and second place teams, Woodgrove (VA) 55-18 and Washington (WV), 46-36.
The Lancers beat Martinsburg (WV), 40-27, Skyline (VA), 54-24, Buckhannon Upshur (WV), 61-18, the host school 63-18, Millbrook (VA), 42-29, and Berkley Springs (WV), 45-33.
The Lancers lost their third scheduled tournament to snow. Their most noteworthy regular season dual was versus county rival, No. 9 Middletown, who defeated them in a match that was decided on the result of the final bout.
After winning the 3A West Region, Linganore set its sights on going back-to-back as champions at the state duals and they accomplished that goal with a big win over Bel Air, 58-15, in the semis, and winning a tight one with No. 21 South River, 34-31, in the championship match.
Seven Lancers reached the finals of the Frederick County Tournament, with three becoming champions, No. 9 Josh Arthur (106), No. 15 Pickett (157), and No. 1 Ethan Arneson (175). The silver medalists were No. 11 Brennan Considine (120), No. 18 Cash Wheat (126), Lincoln Zirk (132), and No. 14 Dylan Rohn (138).
Unfortunately, Linganore would play second fiddle to Middletown again as the Knights captured the team title. Fourth place finishes from Jayden Lassiter (113) and Camden Scarbrough (165) capped off Linganore’s placers. All but Arneson and Scarbrough return next year.
Arneson, Arthur, and Considine won region crowns with Rohn (2nd) and Pickett (3rd) also qualifying for the state tournament. Wheat and Zirk were fifth at their weights. All five that qualified for states went on to place with two being crowned as state champions, Arneson and Considine. Arthur and Pickett were third with Rohn landing in the fifth spot.
Arneson’s exploits earned him a nod as one of Legacy Wrestling’s Upper Weight Wrestlers of the Year. So, as far as Legacies go, it’s hard to beat the father and son duo that are amongst the season ending awardees. A father and son, Coach and Wrestler of the Year. It is something that is truly special. It is a historic legacy.
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