Wrestling programs of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association have small numbers to draw from, compared to the public schools of the Virginia High School League, 95 high schools vs. 315 schools at last count and approximately one-tenth of the enrollment. Yet they punch above their weight, partly because of a history of excellent, dedicated coaches, including Hall-of-Famers Paul Anthony (Liberty Christian), David Hooper (St. Stephens/St. Agnes), Dick Glover (Woodberry Forest), and Terry Waters (Fishburne Military Academy). 

Joining this eminent group is Steve Castle from Episcopal High School in Alexandria. 

Coach Castle had a splendid wrestling adventure at a high-quality private college, Washington-Lee in Lexington, Virginia. While earning an education credential to teach high school physics, he won several accolades on the mat, accumulating a 77-22-1 record with 25 falls. He was an NCAA Division III qualifier at 118 pounds in 1987 and also earned Academic All-American honors. During his four-year career, the Generals lauded him three awards in appreciation of his “performance, leadership, and sportsmanship.”  

He continued to provide both academic and athletic leadership as a coach for Episcopal Maroon, an achievement-oriented, highly selective school, and the earliest high school in Virginia (1839). His main contribution has been four decades of teaching physics, but he also lends administrative support, serving as ninth-grade dean of students, and mentoring new teachers.

His accomplishments as head wrestling coach are impressive. In a league with dominant teams like Benedictine and St. Christopher’s, Castle has more than held his own with 225 dual meet victories and nine top-six finishes at the VISAA state tournament. He has coached multiple state champions and national prep All-Americans as well as 32 state finalists and 34 conference champions. Castle also coached three wrestlers who went on to serve in the armed forces as a member of the 82nd Airborne, an F/A-18 pilot taking off and landing on carriers, and a Naval Academy graduate who became a Marine.

Like most successful men, he goes home to the loving stability of his family, wife, Susan and grown daughters Sarah Gray (25) and Kate (22).