Bill Lockington grew up on a farm near DeSoto, WI. As part of a strong wrestling program, he was conference champion in '65, '66 and '67. As a senior, he served as co-captain at DeSoto High School. Bill wrestled at UW-LaCrosse and was co-captain as a senior. In 1971, Bill began teaching at Greenwood, WI. With the help of John Binder and Reg Gobin, a wrestling program was started. After two losing seasons, the program enjoyed many successes, including Greenwood's first state champion, Dave Jasurda, in 1977. Bill was part-owner of Metro Sports and worked exclusively with that business for two years, before accepting a teaching/coaching position at Arcadia High School in 1979. Arcadia already had a rich wrestling tradition under their first coach Jim Crowley. During the next 18 years, the coaching staff and many selfless volunteers enjoyed a record of 163-29-3. Mike Shuda was an assistant coach many of those years. Others contributing to that success were varsity assistant Bob Siewert; outstanding junior high coach, Mike Sobotta; and Harland Stone (retired). Other big contributors were volunteers Scott Lambert (21 years), Gail Pronschinske (11 years), Robert Wojchik (6 years) and numerous other alumni. This combination of coaches and community has definitely been instrumental in helping athletes reach their goals. In addition to help from other coaches and volunteers, Bill has had the support of his family. Wife, Kathy, has taken an active roll in organizing the kids' program, tournaments, camps and lodging at the state meet. She richly deserved a plaque she received honoring her as the First Lady of Arcadia Wrestling. Son Jason has helped during college breaks and summer camps. More notably, Jason won three state titles in '90, '91 and'92 to join Greg Gibbons ('88, '89, '90) as Arcadia's second 3-time state champion. This combination of assistant coaches, volunteers and Bill have achieved: 199 dual meet victories at Greenwood (1971-76) & Arcadia (1980-92; 94-97); 11 conference titles; 12 regional titles; 1 Sectional title; 6 Sectional 2nd place finishes; 2 3-time state champions; 11 state champions; 37 state place winners; and 44 state qualifiers. During his coaching career, Bill was honored as Coach of the Year in 1977 by the TRG newspaper; District 3 Coach of the Year in '91 and '92'; and was All Coulee Region coach in 1995. In 1991 and 1992, Bill served as District 3 representative for the WWCA.