Bio

Darick Lapaglia is beginning his first season leading the Avila women’s wrestling program in 2026-27.

Lapaglia has been in a fixture in the area’s wrestling scene. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Lapaglia was a two-time NCAA DII All-American, a three-time USA Freestyle All-American and a USA Folkstyle National Champion.

In addition to his exploits on the mat, Lapaglia came to Avila after a strong eight-year stint as an assistant coach at Fort Osage High School.

While coaching at Fort Osage, Lapaglia coached 11 individual Missouri state champions and five top-10 team finishes.

Additionally, Lapaglia coached Avila’s 2025-26 national runner-up, Haley Ward, at Fort Osage, where Ward became the program’s first four-time state champion while under Lapaglia’s tutelage.