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Mother Nature keeps wrestlers away from competition

By Eric Sorrentino - | Dec 19, 2007

The Tonganoxie High wrestling team’s biggest opponent this week has been Mother Nature herself.

THS had its tournament on Saturday at Pleasant Ridge postponed because of the snow that hit the area.

The Chieftains also had their dual against the Santa Fe Trail Chargers canceled on Thursday because of the weather.

The Santa Fe dual will be made up at 5 p.m. Thursday. Tonganoxie also will dual Shawnee Heights on Thursday at SFT.

The Pleasant Ridge tournament will be made up on Saturday. THS coach Jeremy Goebel said the format of the tournament would likely change to a dual tournament because only a few teams would be able to return for Saturday. The tournament is set for 9 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge High School.

“It’s been frustrating,” Goebel said of the cancellations. “The kids put in a lot of effort last week and didn’t get any results. Hopefully, that will leave them a little hungry this week.”

The THS practice schedule this week will be the same as it was last week. Goebel said the team practiced at full speed Monday and Tuesday. Today, the Chieftains will lift weights and conduct a walk-through to prepare for Thursday’s dual. THS will also take part in a walk-through Friday to prepare for Saturday’s tournament.

“As an athlete, you have that mind frame where you know competition’s coming,” Goebel said. “You’re ready for it and prepared mentally. It’s not going to affect us. We’re ready to go out and compete Thursday.”

The time off gave some THS wrestlers a chance to heal from injuries. Most notably, senior Wyatt Coffin suffered a back injury in the Eudora Tournament of Champions on Dec. 8. Goebel said the senior, who competes in the 153-pound weight class, took it slow in practice this week. He’s considered day-to-day and is questionable for Thursday’s dual.

“He has a high pain tolerance and wants to be in there,” Goebel said of Coffin, who is 9-3 on the season. “But as a coach, you don’t want him to be hurt and not be able to wrestle in the end. We’re going to wait until the competition to see how that goes.”