Wrestling has always been in Lucas Kapusta’s blood, as his father was a standout on the mat. The younger Kapusta enjoyed a stellar career at the high school ranks at Hempfield Area, and he’s now one of the top grapplers at Lock Haven University. Kapusta is under the microscope in this edition of the Westmoreland Alum Q&A.

Kapusta began his Spartans career competing at 126 pounds as a freshman in 2019-20. That season, Kapusta went 25-16, including a third-place finish in the section. In the WPIAL Class AAA tournament, he won a pair of matches, but failed to place. Collectively, the Spartans went 22-4 overall, including 5-0 in Class AAA Section 1B. In the WPIAL team tournament, Hempfield Area defeated Chartiers Valley and Kiski Area, but fell to eventual-champion Waynesburg Central in the semifinals.

The next season, Kapusta compiled a record of 28-6. Competing at 138 pounds, he took first in the section, and placed fourth in the WPIAL Class AAA event. With a smaller team competition, the Spartans failed to qualify for the postseason in the Class AAA bracket.

In 2021-22, Kapusta achieved a record of 37-7. He repeated as a section champion, this time at 145. In the WPIAL Class AAA tournament, Kapusta reached the semifinals, and finished third. As a result, he advanced to the PIAA championships, where he placed fifth in his weight class. However, the Spartans did not make the team playoffs.

As a senior, Kapusta produced his finest season, going 38-5. Elevated to 152 pounds, he claimed a third-straight section crown. In the WPIAL Class AAA Championship, Kapusta advanced to the finals, but settled for silver. Back in the state bracket, Kapusta once again finished in fifth. Hempfield Area went 11-7 overall on the season, including 2-2 in Class AAA Section 4. In the team playoffs, the Spartans bested Trinity and Butler Area, but narrowly lost to eventual-champion Canon-McMillian in the semis. However, the Spartans won the consolation bracket match to finish in third.

Kapusta concluded his outstanding career at Hempfield Area with a mark of 128-34.

Following his graduation, Kapusta matriculated to Lock Haven University, joining the Bald Eagles at 149 pounds. He took a redshirt for the 2023-24 season, but compiled a record of 19-8 while competing unattached. That campaign, the Bald Eagles went 7-11 overall, including 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In the conference tournament, Lock Haven finished fourth.

Last season, Kapusta amassed a mark of 25-11, including 12-4 in duals. Competing at the MAC Championships, Kapusta went 2-3 to place sixth. Collectively, the Bald Eagles enjoyed a stellar season, going 14-5 on the campaign, including 7-0 in the MAC. Lock Haven then captured the MAC Championship for the third time in four years.

Thus far this season, Kapusta has achieved a record of 7-1, including 3-0 in duals. For his efforts, Kapusta is ranked No. 23 nationally. The Bald Eagles have gone 2-1 to this point, including winning their only conference matchup.

Lucas sat down to respond to questions about his individual and team goals for this season, his decision to attend Lock Haven, and what he’d do if he woke up tomorrow with $1 million.

Q: How have you evaluated your performance so far this season?

A: I think my performance this season has been pretty good, so far. I think I have been tested early on with little things such as tough riding, and head and hands defense in close matches. There is definitely a lot of room to improve moving forward.

Q: What was the value of taking a redshirt your first season?

A: I think taking a redshirt my first year helped me jump huge levels, because I had no pressure on me. It allowed me to just focus on getting better and competing in open tournaments as much as I could.

Q: How would you describe your style of wrestling?

A: I would describe my style of wrestling as a gritty style with a lot of hand fighting and pushing my opponents around the mat.

Q: What team and individual goals have you established for this campaign?

A: My individual goal is to win a Mid-American Conference title and become an NCAA Division I All-American at the national tournament. The team goal I have is that every Lock Haven Bald Eagle who wrestles at MACs also qualifies for the national tournament. I fully believe we have the team to do it.

Q: What impact has your dad had on your wrestling career?

A: My dad has had a huge impact on my wrestling career from the time I started to even now, when I only get to see him a few times a year. He has helped me in every aspect of my life and in wrestling, including physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Q: What led to your decision to attend Lock Haven?

A: A big reason I came to Lock Haven was because I used to come up to the program’s fall classic tournament all the time when I was younger, and one of my best friends, Ethan Lebin, and his dad would always come up with me and my dad. Ethan Lebin’s dad, who I call Bardo, attended Lock Haven back in his day and he would always make jokes that I would come here, and that I fit the atmosphere up here. I think that kind of always just stuck with me and played a role into why I am now here.

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?

A: I am a business/finance major and I don’t really know what I want to do yet exactly, but most likely an office job in the city.

Q: What has been your most challenging college course?

A: The hardest course I have taken at college was probably Micro or Macro Economics.

Q: What were the benefits of competing in the WPIAL, and in particular, Westmoreland County?

A: The benefits of wrestling in the WPIAL growing up has helped me prepare more than anything. The WPIAL schedule is a grind every weekend and I always had to be ready to scrap hard. That component is the same in college, where every weekend is a tough competition and I am always ready to go.

Q: What was your fondest high school memory?

A: The best memory of my high school career was winning my blood round match at states my junior year to place, and giving my head coach at the time, Vince DeAugustine, a big hug.

Q: Do you still follow Hempfield Area athletics or WPIAL wrestling?

A: Yes, I do still follow Hempfield Area wrestling because my dad is the head coach of the team and my younger brother is a senior on the team.

Q: What is one rule you'd change about college wrestling?

A: I love all the rules in college wrestling; I wouldn't change a thing.

Q: What is your favorite sports movie?

A: My favorite sports movie is probably Rudy

Q: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: If I could eat one meal for the rest of my life, I would have a filet from Capital Grille

Q: If you woke up tomorrow with $1 million, what is the first thing you'd do?

A: If I woke up with $1 million tomorrow, I would probably buy myself a nice truck, then invest the rest of the money to save up for a house whenever I graduate.