During the first three days of July, THS coach Jeremy Goebel and nine THS wrestlers attended a camp at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Goebel competed in college for UNK.

Kevin Hamm, Steve Davis, Ryan Stockman, Derek Parrett, Jeremy Maus, Zach Kaighin, Wyatt Coffin, AJ Demaranville and Matt Brock attended the camp. Brock didn’t participate because of an injured lower back.

“He still went along, which was cool, I thought,” Goebel said.

At this year’s camp, Davis was named Legitimate Tough Guy at the camp. Last year, Brock earned that title.

Goebel said each coach at the camp nominates a wrestler for the honor.

“I credit that to his hard work this summer,” Goebel said of Davis’ selection.

Tonganoxie wrestlers marked their third year of attending the annual camp. Goebel said it was important his grapplers have as many matches in the offseason as possible.

“Some of those kids in Nebraska have about 60 matches in the summer,” Goebel said. “This is pretty much the only match time our kids get.

“The more matches we can get, the better off they’ll be come high school season.”

Goebel also praised Maus and Kaighin for attending. Both will be freshmen this fall.

“It gives them some exposure,” Goebel said. “It eases the transition into high school because they already know their teammates.”

Parrett, who will be a senior, won two key matches against 300-pound opponents. Parrett, who previously wrestled at 215, could move up to the heavyweight division next winter. Goebel said Parrett’s wins against heavier competitors should help him during the high school season.

“Derek Parrett did a good job,” Goebel said.

High school wrestlers will have another chance to wrestle this summer with the Chieftain Camp of Champs on Friday and Saturday in the THS multipurpose center south of Beatty Field.

“Hopefully, a lot of those kids who attended that camp will come to our home camp, too,” Goebel said.