The Spearville native is in his first season as head coach of the Atchison High varsity team after two years as the junior varsity coach.

Last year, Atchison finished the season winless at 0-21 after losing to Hayden in the first round of substate.

This season, AHS is off to an 0-7 start.

Atchison lost three starters from last year’s squad, but AHS returns three starters in seniors Lacee Gassmann, Sarah Berger and Amy Housh. The team has a fourth senior in Maria Kelly.

Aside from that, Atchison is a pretty young squad. Sydney Beck is the team’s lone junior, as Atchison also has four sophomores and three freshmen on the squad. AHS is taking its lumps early on, but with so many underclassmen, Kasselman’s team should improve in the coming years.

Atchison opened the Tonganoxie Invitational on Tuesday against Tonganoxie. Although the Atchison boys played in the tournament two years ago, the girls team is making its first appearance.