A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Luke Triveline

Luke Triveline has spent nearly two decades shaping young athletes at Lake Central High School, but his influence goes far beyond wins and losses. As the Boys Wrestling coach, he focuses on building character, resilience, and teamwork—preparing students not just for competition but for life.

A Lake Central alumnus, Triveline grew up in Schererville and was immersed in wrestling. His father was a Division I wrestler and a longtime high school coach. Those early experiences inspired Triveline to follow in his footsteps. After earning a degree in exercise science at Purdue University, he returned to his alma mater to help the wrestling team, eventually becoming head coach. Alongside high school duties, he owns Fitness Evolution in St. John, a strength and conditioning facility he’s run for 16 years.

“I want them to be successful on the mat, but what we really try to prepare them for is life outside of sports,” Triveline said. “It’s about being mentally tough, a hard worker, a good listener, and a teammate. Sports are going to end one day, and they’re going to go into the workforce, college, or start a family. Whatever success on the mat comes is really a bonus.”

Triveline emphasizes effort over outcome, teaching athletes to give their all while maintaining balance. He believes the lessons wrestlers learn—discipline, focus, resilience—apply far beyond the gym or mat.

“You have to make it hard enough so they can succeed but not so hard that they quit,” he said. “Wrestling is physically demanding. It’s a hard mix sometimes, but it’s about knowing that, win or lose, you gave it your all.”

Triveline’s philosophy is on full display with Christopher Gallardo, a student in applied skills classes who wanted to join the wrestling program. Gallardo had watched practices for months while playing on the All-Stars basketball team, a team for students in applied skills classes. Last November, Gallardo’s mother reached out to Triveline to ask if there was a way for her son to participate.

“I believe any kid should have the opportunity to play sports,” Triveline said. “We’ll do everything we can to help him, and there’s been no issues.”

Gallardo now attends practice once a week, working closely with teammates who mentor him along the way. For his first exhibition match,  he competed against a teammate who has spent extra time training with him—a testament to the supportive culture Triveline fosters.

“The kids are all extremely nice and more than happy to pull him aside, work with him, and make sure he’s learning,” he said.

Triveline’s influence extends beyond wrestling. He leads by example in his personal life, staying active through jiu-jitsu, boxing, and weight training while coaching his 6 and 7 year old daughters’ soccer team. He tells his daughters the same thing he tells his wrestlers:

“I don’t care if you win or lose. Go out there, be the hardest worker in practice and listen, and I’m not going to have a problem,” he said.

For Triveline, it’s not just about championship wins—he wants to see the progress and personal growth of each athlete. He watches students build confidence and commit to hard work that will serve them far beyond high school.

“The most rewarding part is seeing kids come along, believing in themselves, and putting in the effort,” he said. “Champions and state placers are great, but often the kid nobody knows about who listens and works hard is the one who leaves the biggest impact.”

He also emphasizes perspective and mental strength, reminding his athletes to focus on effort rather than outcome.

“Whatever you’re in, be all in. Focus on what you can control, work as hard as you can, and the wins will eventually come,” Triveline said. “You don’t want to leave with regret saying, ‘I wish I would have done a little bit more.’ Every year, I’m not going to have 14 state champs. It’s not possible. I try to make them the best version of themselves instead of comparing them to another kid. We focus on being strong from the neck up—that’s what we’re really building.”