Richard Leffler

Mr. Leffler has a long history of coaching wrestling in the Toledo area, including 15 years at St. Francis de Sales High School. He holds Ohio’s longest dual meet victory streak when his teams went 120-0 from 1961 to 1972. He has been the head technique coach for Central Catholic’s wrestling team since 2007, helping the Irish to their highest team finishes in the state of Ohio in 30 years. The Fighting Irish finished fourth in Division II in 2009 and 2010. During Mr. Leffler’s tenure, the Irish have had 13 state qualifiers, eight state placers and three state finalists.

Mr. Leffler is a graduate of DeVilbiss High School in Toledo where he was the wrestling team captain. He also wrestled at the University of Toledo and was the Mid American Conference champion in 1952 and 1953. He earned a degree in physical therapy from the Ohio State University and was president of Paramedical Associates Inc. in Toledo.

From 2002 to 2006, Mr. Leffler coached Otsego High School’s varsity wrestling team. He is the president and founder of Toledo’s Foxfire Wrestling Club, which offers year-round opportunities for wrestlers in folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The National USA Governing Board has designated the facility as a USA wrestling regional training facility.

Mr. Leffler earned the first Ohio High School Coach of the Year recognition in 1971 and was inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978. He is a member of the University of Toledo Athletic Hall of Fame and the Greater Toledo Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In September, he will be inducted into the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Columbus.

Mr. Guerra earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Findlay and is completing a master’s degree in integrated science education. He was a two-time captain and four-time Division II All-American wrestler for the University of Findlay, a two-time Division II national champion, and a two-time University of Findlay Male Athlete of the Year. He was a co-clinician of the Mat Rats Wrestling Club in 2009 and 2010, and was a graduate assistant wrestling coach at the University of Findlay from 2008 to 2010. Mr. Guerra will also teach in the science department at Central Catholic.

“With Doc and Tony we will have a superb one-two punch to continue the wrestling traditions started by Mitch Naufel,” says Bill Axe, Central Catholic athletic director. “Doc’s approach to wrestling success transcends technical aspects and includes progressive learning. He also possesses a business acumen that is remarkable. Tony is a remarkable young man who will add to the attractiveness of Central Catholic in the classroom, in the wrestling room, and in the community."