Three THS state qualifiers return to action for 2007-2008
The Tonganoxie High wrestling team had three members compete in the Class 4A state meet last season. They went a combined 1-6.
All of them — seniors Cameron Adcox and Wyatt Coffin, and junior Matt Brock — will return this season.
Coach Jeremy Goebel elevated the bar that measures THS wrestling success this season.
“As a coach, I want what they want,” Goebel said. “I know they want to bring home a medal from the state tournament. I think it’s an attainable goal.”
Tonganoxie has 10 seniors this season. They include Adcox, Coffin, Tabitha Carroll, Travis Adcox, Beau Waters, Matt Ditty, A.J. DeMaranville, Shane Banks, Wally Rachford and Eric Donnelly.
Goebel said the varsity roster will consist of 14 wrestlers, so there’s a good chance some seniors will wrestle on the junior varsity level.
Tonganoxie held a wrestle-off Tuesday night, which continued past The Mirror’s press time. The wrestle-off will determine the majority of the varsity roster.
Goebel said he’s seen instances in previous years in which freshmen were timid when it came to wrestling seniors. He said in this year’s wrestle-offs, that wasn’t the case.
“In the wrestle-offs, I just want to see kids having that fire in their eyes and giving it their all,” Goebel said. “I want them to understand that this will put them in position to wear that Tongie suit at meets.”
Aside from Brock, juniors to look out for will include Kevin Hamm and Steve Davis. Hamm qualified for state as a freshman, but missed qualifying as a sophomore.
Tonganoxie will wrestle in its first varsity meet Saturday at Mill Valley in the Kaw Valley League Dual Tournament.
“It’s kind of like getting through two-a-days in football,” Goebel said. “We’re tired of beating up on each other. We’re ready to get on the mat and take it to the next level.”