mEET THE COACHES
Ben Smith
HEAD COACH
Coach Smith attended Francis Howell High School and graduated in 1998. Coach Smith played football and wrestled in high school. He earned honors as an All-District and All-Conference football player and was a State Champion in wrestling in 1998. He attended Mizzou and graduated in 2003. He taught and coached in the Francis Howell School District and in Columbia Public Schools at Hickman and Battle High School. Coach Smith has been serving as a counselor and the Head Wrestling Coach at Lindbergh since 2015. Ben is married to Maribell Smith and a new baby names Emerson Francesca!
Ben mCNEELY
HEAD COACH
Ben McNeely is a P.E. teacher at the high school entering his 6th year as a teacher. This is his 7th year coaching wrestling this upcoming year. Ben wrestled in the RL little league program for 5 years and wrestled 2 years in high school where he qualified for state his senior year at 215 (220). Ben is very passionate about the sport and really enjoys how wrestling develops character and brings out the best (or worst) in athletes.
jOSH HANSEL
ASSISTANT COACH
Josh Hansel attend Lindbergh High School and graduated in 1997. He continued his wrestling career at Lindenwood University where he graduated with a BA in History in 2003. This will be Coach Hansel's 22nd year of coaching with 16 years at LHS. Josh has also coached softball at LHS for the past 18 years. When he's not teaching and coaching, Josh enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie and daughters Natalie(16) and Rachel (12).
Dylan Jones
ASSISTANT COACH
Dylan wrestled for 9 years of Little League Wrestling and was a 4 year Varsity Starter for Lindbergh High School. He was a captain of the wrestling team as a junior and senior and was a state qualifier in 2013. Dylan graduated from high school in 2016 and has been an assistant coach on the wrestling staff ever since. Dylan is a junior at Missouri Baptist University pursuing a degree in Education.
Melissa CRAIN
ASSISTANT COACH
Melissa Dudley is in her 4th year of teaching at Truman middle school. She has coached cross country at the middle school all four years, started a middle school track team which is in its 3rd year, and coached track and field at the high school for one year. In years past she has coached track and field at Timberland high school in Wentzville and soccer at Vetta. This is her first year coaching girls wrestling but is very excited to have this opportunity. Melissa is ready to see the students she once had as little middle schoolers at Truman transform into successful high school athletes on the wrestling mat. In her free time, Melissa doesn't tend to sit still-you can find her at the gym, hiking with her dogs and fiance, running, or playing anything that allows her to be outside!