Graduate Ryan Green is recognized for his success in athletics as the 2014 DGO honoree. Green is the head wrestling coach at Catoctin High School and works as a journeyman steamfitter for Control Sources LLC in Baltimore. Green is also the founder and head wrestling coach of the Mason-Dixon Mat Hawgs.

Green played football and wrestled for Linganore all four years of high school and earned much recognition during his athletic career. He was a member of the 1996 State Championship football team and won a state title in wrestling in 1997, and an Eastern National Championship in 1994 and 1995.

As a coach at Catoctin, he has had three state runner up wrestlers, six state champion wrestlers, and one team county championship. In 2009, The Frederick News Post named him Coach of the Year.

Green says that all of these accomplishments have helped to teach him valuable lessons. “Those are moments that will always prove to me that not only do diligence, discipline and dedication pay off, but passion for a sport can have some truly indescribable rewards.”

Green says that the figure who had the biggest effect on him was his teacher and wrestling coach, Richard Gialanella. “I was lucky enough to form a relationship with him, not only as my mentor–and a father figure in many ways–but as one of my best friends.” Gialanella is now an assistant coach with Green at Catoctin High.

Green’s life goals, he said, have changed since his time at Linganore. “Maybe in high school I would have said that I want to be a millionaire or a professional athlete. But now, more than anything I want my children to be happy–which means providing them with a secure foundation of unconditional love and support..”

Green hopes to be able to leave a lasting impression on students. “Never underestimate yourself! If you hit a roadblock, you may have to take a detour, or even a completely different street–but you have a purpose… Don’t ever give up aspiring to be the best you that you can be.”