For more than three decades, Ross Ickes has been a cornerstone of Massachusetts high school wrestling. He is a mentor and leader who has built one of the state’s most respected programs at Wakefield Memorial High School. Since taking over as head wrestling coach in 1995, Ross has combined technical excellence with an unwavering commitment to the growth of his student-athletes, helping them become not only better wrestlers but better people.

Ross began his coaching career at Winchester High School as an assistant coach under Larry Tremblay during the 1994–1995 season, helping guide the team to the 1995 Division 2 State Championship. The following year, he accepted the head coaching position at Wakefield, beginning what would become a remarkable 30-year run defined by consistency, character, and championship-caliber performance.

Under Ross’s leadership, Wakefield wrestling has flourished into a powerhouse program with a career dual meet record of 465–207–10. His teams have earned Division 2 and Division 3 North Championships in 2000, 2012, 2019, 2022 and 2025 with multiple runner-up finishes along the way. These accomplishments reflect his meticulous approach to coaching and his ability to inspire athletes to perform at their highest level.

Over the years, Ross’s excellence has been recognized across the state. His honors include Division 2 North Coach of the Year (2000), Division 3 North Coach of the Year (2012, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2025), MIAA Coach of the Year (2016), and Boston Globe Division 3 Coach of the Year (2024). In 2020, his lifelong dedication to the sport and his athletes was honored with induction into the Massachusetts Interscholastic Coaches Association (MICA) Hall of Fame; this was a fitting recognition for a career defined by excellence, sportsmanship, and service.

At the heart of Ross’s success is a coaching philosophy rooted in developing the whole athlete. He believes that wrestling is not just about competition but it’s about building character, resilience, and confidence. His practices focus on technique and conditioning, but also on mental preparation, discipline, and teamwork. Off the mat, he mentors athletes academically and personally, ensuring they succeed in every area of their lives. Ross often reminds his wrestlers that wins and losses fade, but integrity and hard work endure.

Beyond the accolades, what defines Ross most is his unwavering commitment to his athletes and community. He has built strong relationships with students, parents, alumni, and fellow coaches, fostering a family like environment that extends well beyond the gym. Many of his former wrestlers have gone on to coach and mentor others, carrying forward the values they learned under his guidance.

Ross’s leadership extends beyond the mat as well. He manages the administrative demands of the program with the same professionalism and attention to detail that he brings to coaching. He collaborates closely with athletic trainers and school staff to prioritize wrestler safety and continually adapts his strategies to new rules and styles, and remains a lifelong student of the sport he loves.

A proud graduate of Northeastern University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1996, Ross brings the same sense of fairness, structure, and dedication to coaching that he learned through his studies and life experiences.

Ross’s achievements, however, would not have been possible without the unwavering love and support of his family. His wife Andrea has been his foundation throughout his career—sharing in every season, every challenge, and every celebration. Their twin sons (Nathan and Luke) and daughter (Emma) have each become integral parts of the Wakefield wrestling family. All three wrestled for Wakefield at some point, carrying forward the passion their father instilled in them. His sons, Luke and Nathan, return from college to help coach whenever their schedules allow, continuing the family legacy from the corner of the mat. Nathan currently wrestles at the collegiate level, further extending the Ickes influence in the sport. His daughter, Emma, plays an equally vital role, volunteering her time to help run tournaments, scoring tables, and social media, ensuring the program stays connected and organized. Together, their shared dedication embodies what makes Wakefield wrestling such a tight-knit and successful community.

For more than 33 years, Ross Ickes has dedicated his life to shaping champions—on the mat and in life. His legacy at Wakefield Memorial High School and in the Massachusetts wrestling community stands as a testament to his belief in hard work, perseverance, and character. Through every season, every challenge, and every athlete he’s coached, Ross has shown that the true measure of success lies not only in victories, but in the lasting impact one person can have on others.