Lahna inducted into coaches hall of fame

Ridgewood High School baseball coach Chad Lahna was inducted into the Eastern District Baseball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame.

As a baseball player for the Generals, Lahna showed how much of a competitor he is as he led the 1998 team to the regional finals, winning both sectional games, both district games, and the regional semifinal game as well. He was also a great hitter, earning 1999 2nd Team All-Ohio honors and becoming Ridgewood High School’s first ever Mizuno Series selection and participant.

Lahna continued his athletic career at Walsh University, where he had 113 career RBIs, sixth-most in program history, was named AMC North Player of the Year his senior year and was an All-AMC First Team selection after hitting .339 with nine home runs, 58 RBIs, 58 runs scored, 10 doubles, three triples, all while recording a 1.02 ERA on the mound. He also was honored for his academics by being named an AMC Scholar Athlete and was selected as the Walsh Male Athlete of the Year. In 2017, he was inducted into the Walsh University Athletic Hall of Fame.

His coaching resume is second to none. In addition to his career at Ridgewood, Lahna has served as an assistant baseball coach at Tri-Valley, been an integral part of coaching and restructuring the Coshocton Cherokees and helped run Ridgewood Recreation and Pony programs. He’s been a longtime Ridgewood assistant football coach and a critical component of the football team’s success. On the diamond in his 10 full seasons (11 with the Covid canceled season) as head coach of the baseball Generals, Lahna’s teams have compiled a 179-108 record, won an Inter-Valley Conference championship, six sectional championships, five district championships, and one regional championship. Lahna led the 2019 Generals all the way to the state championship game.

Lahna’s drive for excellence shows in the classroom as well. He was Ridgewood’s 2023 Coras Teacher of the Year. His Algebra and eighth grade math students, just like his players, are always well prepared because of his attention to detail, communication, hard work, dedication, his caring personality, and big heart. He gets the most out of his students and players because of his belief in them, the relationships he develops with them, and his ability to get them to act the right way so that they can compete at the highest level.

Chad is the son of Kenny and Jean Lahna. He is married to Corie, and they have two daughters Addie and Rigley.

Category: High School, Sports