New era being with MHS wrestling
Ryan Noonan Sports Writer
A new era is set to begin for Manhattan High School on Saturday when the Manhattan wrestling team travels to Leavenworth for a wrestling invitational.
As is usually the case, a strong senior class graduated last year after leading the Indians to a runner-up finish at Class 6A state, and now a new group of young wrestlers are ready to step up to varsity.
But really, it was the retirement by Hall of Fame coach Lee Woodford that provides the most change for Manhattan. After decades of service and leadership in the Manhattan wrestling program, Woodford decided to retire from coaching. In his place, the Indians selected Robert Gonzales, a head coach for 19-years at Shawnee Heights.
Gonzales has made an immediate impact in Manhattan, and although he is not ready to declare a 6A state championship for the Indians, he has set some lofty goals for the Manhattan wrestling program.
"I really think that if the middle stays strong, and we avoid the injury bug, we can be in the top-6 or top-5 at state," Gonzales said. "With the good teams around the state, a top-five finish would be great."
While Manhattan was hit hard by graduation, it still returns six state qualifiers, including two who finished third in 6A state last season.
The middle of the lineup is particularly strong for Manhattan, with state qualifers in 119, 125, 130, 135 and 140 pound divisions.
Andrew Wagner returns at 130 pounds after finishing third at state last season, as did Brett Hoshaw at 140. Derek Eichman finished sixth at state and returns at 189 pounds. All three are seniors this year and are expected to provide not only points, but leadership for the Indians.
"We're in great shape with Brett, Wagner and Derek," said Gonzales. "Derek is just a great leader and Wagner is a little more reserved, but leads by action on the mat."
Along with those three, two more seniors should help carry the leadership banner, but with a different perspective. Both Devin Monroe and Bubba Schoenfield spent three years working their way up the ranks on the Manhattan wrestling team. Now, in their only year on varsity, Gonzales said both are coming through as a voice to the younger wrestlers.
And the seniors have plenty of leading to do. There are 75 wrestlers on the roster this year, and wrestlers from all classes are expected to see varsity time.
Sophomores Jacob Wagner and Steve Miller both qualified for state as freshmen last year and are expected to figure in as top competitors this year.
"We've got Jacob Wagner and Steve Miller, who are very talented sophomores; very fundamentally sound and very quick," Gonzales said. "With those two, plus the five seniors, that's seven kids I feel comfortable putting in the lineup for every meet."
Manhattan could also get a boost from one of the smallest varsity wrestlers in the state. Freshman Jeff Vesta will be giving up almost 20 pounds, but so far has earned the varsity spot in the 103 pound division.
"Jeff is only 85 pounds," said Gonzales. "We know he's undersized, but he's beaten everyone to earn that spot as our No. 1."
While a state championship is the overall goal, as well as one of the reasons Gonzales came to Manhattan, it is not the most important this year. The wrestlers are still readjusting to a new coach and the talent level in 6A is high this winter.
"This year we'll have to battle Goddard, Derby was very strong, Hutchinson has five strong kids back and Garden City, way out west, could be a dark horse," said the Manhattan coach. "But I'll say this, if we don't achieve our goal (of a top-5 finish) it won't be because someone out worked us. There may be better teams or better coaches, but no one will work harder than Manhattan."
