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Starcher takes over THS wrestling program

By Justin Nutter - | Jun 23, 2014

Justin Nutter

Former Tonganoxie High wrestling standout Ross Starcher has taken the reins of the Chieftain program after spending the last six years as an assistant coach.

Since first stepping on the mat as a freshman in 2001, Ross Starcher has made a lasting impact on the Tonganoxie High wrestling program in the circle, as well as on the sideline. Now, the former Chieftain standout will have a chance to make his mark as the head coach.

Starcher, a 2005 THS grad, has been handed the reins of the program he’s now called home for more than a decade. He officially took over for 12-year coach Jeremy Goebel last month when his hiring was approved by the Tonganoxie school board.

“It’s huge to me,” Starcher said. “I wouldn’t say I was working to be a head coach for six years because I thought Goebel would be here forever, but now that the opportunity came up, I’m definitely excited about it.”

A four-time state qualifier and the 2005 state runner-up at 171 pounds, Starcher is second all-time in Chieftain wrestling history with 141 career victories. All but 32 of those came under Goebel, who arrived at THS when Starcher was a sophomore. His state finals appearance his senior season stood as the only appearance in program history until incoming senior Asher Huseman accomplished that same feat in March.

Starcher left Tonganoxie after graduation and received an associate’s degree at Pittsburg State University, but returned as an assistant coach under Goebel in 2008-09 and has been with the program ever since.

“Coach Starcher has a great perspective of Tonganoxie wrestling,” THS athletics director Brandon Parker said. “He was very successful when he wrestled here. He knows the people here and the people who have been affiliated with wrestling here, so it’s all very familiar. He can provide a road map for students on how to be successful.”

Starcher has helped the Chieftains reach new heights in recent years. They won their first Kaw Valley League title in 21 years in 2012, then repeated as league champs the following season. One week later, they raised the bar even higher, winning their first-ever regional championship in their home gymnasium.

The program has reached unprecedented success at the state tournament as well, earning back-to-back 10th-place finishes each of the last two seasons.

“We’re on the right path with top-10 finishes the last two years, so we’re doing something right,” Starcher said.

While he said he’ll make some technique changes, Starcher plans to use many of the same philosophies Goebel has instilled in the program during the last 12 years.

THS graduates six seniors from last year’s team — three of them state qualifiers — but the cupboard will hardly be bare in Starcher’s first season at the helm. Incoming seniors Huseman and Dalton Tavis have both made multiple trips to state, and fellow senior Garrett Martin made his first trip this past winter.

Additionally, the Chieftains will feature a large freshman class full of wrestlers who saw plenty of success in the middle school ranks. Among the incoming freshmen is Justin Hand, who broke the TMS wins record in 2013, going a perfect 21-0.

“We have a lot of young talent, but I’ve got to get them prepared to perform,” Ross Starcher said. “The season matters, but it doesn’t. The last tournament is the one that everyone is watching.”