Cherry Hill East Names Daishi Goto Wrestling Coach
The former Cougars running back and NJCAA All-American takes over the program for the third coach in three years.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in People
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Cherry Hill High School East has named Daishi Goto its head wrestling coach, replacing Collin Wickramaratna, who went 13-16 in his lone season. Goto is the third person to hold the position in the last three years.
Why it matters
The Cherry Hill East wrestling program has had two winning seasons since 2019, and the frequent coaching turnover marks a period of instability for the team. Goto's return to his alma mater aims to provide continuity for the program.
Wickramaratna went 13-16 in his lone season with the Cougars, and the program has had two winning seasons since 2019. Goto, a 2013 graduate, is the third person to hold the head coaching job in three years.
The players
Daishi Goto
A former Cherry Hill East rushing standout and NJCAA All-American at Camden County College who competed at the 2024 ADCC World Championships and returned to his alma mater as head wrestling coach.
Collin Wickramaratna
The former Cherry Hill East wrestling coach whose 13-16 record in his lone season preceded Goto's appointment.
The details
Goto, a 2013 Cherry Hill East graduate who once held the school's single-season rushing record of 1,587 yards, was named head coach last month. He will make his coaching debut when the team opens the 2026-27 season on Dec. 12 with a quad-meet at Cinnaminson.
Timeline
2013: Goto graduates from Cherry Hill East.
2019: Last winning season for the Cherry Hill East wrestling program.
2024: Goto competes at the ADCC World Championships and medals at the ADCC US Open in Atlantic City.
Last month (October 2026): Goto is named Cherry Hill East head wrestling coach.
Dec. 12, 2026: Cherry Hill East opens its season with a quad-meet at Cinnaminson.
Season Trajectory
The program's two winning seasons since 2019 set a modest baseline for the new coach. Goto's hiring as the third coach in three years signals an effort to reverse a recent pattern of turnover and inconsistent results.
Families following the Cherry Hill East wrestling team will see a new head coach on the mat when the season opens on Dec. 12. The change means the program's direction for the coming season will be set by a coach who has previously competed at the national level.
The takeaway
Stable leadership often shapes a program's results, and this hiring offers a chance to build continuity for Cherry Hill East wrestling after several turnover years. Readers following local high school sports can track the team's early-season results beginning Dec. 12.
What happens next
Cherry Hill East opens the 2026-27 season with a quad-meet at Cinnaminson on Dec. 12, when Goto will make his coaching debut.
Further reading
Explore more Cherry Hill people profiles to see how local leaders and coaches are shaping the community.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Courier-Post.
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