The sport of wrestling in Great Bend has a long and proud tradition. Countless athletes and their families have enjoyed the personal growth and close family atmosphere associated with Great Bend wrestling.

First year Great Bend High School head coach Nathan Broeckelman met a few more “family” members at the 2015 summer wrestling camp. Coach Broeckelman lead two sessions for kids ranging from first to 12th grade.

“I wanted to host a wrestling camp for the kids wrestling club here in Great Bend and to start reaching out to the next generation of wrestlers,” said Broeckelman. “Having a successful high school program starts with the kids club, and I wanted the kids to know I will be there throughout their growth in the sport.”

The three day camp focused on fundamentals and provided an opportunity for athletes, coaches and parents to meet the new coach.

Coach Broeckelman comes to Great Bend from Norton Community High School where he place first, second and third at the state tournament. This will be his ninth year as a coach. Broeckelman served five years as an assistant coach at Manhattan High School earning 6A Assistant Coach of the Year in 2012.  

Coach Broeckelman then coached three years at Greeley County where he revived the wrestling program that had been dormant since 1991. He serves as a Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association board member and was selected to attend the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholastic Leadership Academy last fall.

Other Great Bend wrestling staff are assisting with the camp and, like the kids, welcomed the new coach and look forward to another successful season. “Today’s camp was successful and the kids had a lot of fun,” said middle school head coach Norbert Muth. “We have strong student leadership and the transition is going to be an easy one.”