By JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

Norton native Nathan Broeckelman has established a winning attitude and tough work ethic as the new wrestling coach at Great Bend High School. As a high school wrestler, Broeckelman won two state titles for the Norton Bluejays. He will be assisted by Mike Schridde and Jeremey Foster.
The Panthers will be paced by three-time state qualifier Cody Liles (132), who placed sixth at state last year. Other returning state qualifiers include Andrew Reed (182); Christian Rivas (160); and Keaton Sander (138).
“Having state qualifiers shows the other wrestlers where they need to get to,” Broeckelman said. “They’ll be our team leaders who will wrestle at a high level. They’ve gained good experience. We’ve got several wrestlers with a lot of experience and everyone else are pretty green wrestlers.”
Broeckelman is stressing solid wrestling fundamentals. He believes coaching and solid wrestling ability work well together.
“We’re focused on using proper technique and doing everything the right way,” Broeckelman said. “We want a coachable attitude and wrestlers who want to get better and not accept defeat. We train everyone the right way to wrestle. If you’re sloppy with your technique, you won’t have as good a chance of winning against really good wrestlers.”
Broeckelman comes to Great Bend from Greeley County High School in Tribune where he was the head wrestling and football coach since 2012.
Before that, Broeckelman was the assistant wrestling coach at Manhattan High School from 2007 to 2012 while attending Kansas State University. As an assistant, he helped lead the Indians to consecutive 6A wrestling championships in 2011 and 2012.
ROSTER
Seniors—Jose Batres, 182; Keegan Bowman, 170; Cody Liles, 132, 31-14, 6th at State, three-time SQ; Andrew Reed, 170, 5-10, SQ; Christian Rivas, 160, 32-13, SQ; Ben Witte, 152
Juniors—Trey Hurd, 170; Hector Olivas, 195; Noah Presson 285; Keaton Sander, 138, 31-10, SQ; Koby Schroeder, 285; Braulio Vargas, 160; Alek Vasquez, 132; Eric Vazquez, 120, 11-10
Sophomores—Hunter Britt, 145; Valentin Delgadillo, 285; Tyler Epp, 138; Quan Garcia, 138; Tristan Heine, 285; Michael Higby, 152; Aron Reyes, 160; Blake Ridgel, 170; Braxton Schooler, 132; Tre Stevenson, 285; Diego Vasquez, 285; Kaleb Vasquez, 132
Freshmen—Skylar Burkes, 106; Jorge Enriquez, 170; Natalie Garza, 106; Jacob Hanrahan, 138; Christopher Kay, 160; Pablo Martinez, 182; Jacob Meeks, 145; Jonas Meeks, 126; Kaden Schroeder, 220; Jeffrey Spragis, 145; Jace Whetham, 152.
SCHEDULE
12-5—Valley Center, Wichita Carroll, Emporia at Valley Center
12-12—at Douglass Tournament
12-17—Dodge City Dual
12-18—at Hoisington Cardinal Classic
1-8-9—at Derby Tournament
1-16—at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Dual Tournament
1-23—at Paola Tournament
1-29-30—at Garden City Tournament
2-4—at Liberal Quad
2-6—at Goddard Dual Tournament
2-11—at Hays Dual
2-20—at Class 5A Regional
2-26-27—at Class 5A State

ROSTER
Seniors—Jose Batres, 182; Keegan Bowman, 170; Cody Liles, 132, 31-14, 6th at State, three-time SQ; Andrew Reed, 170, 5-10, SQ; Christian Rivas, 160, 32-13, SQ; Ben Witte, 152
Juniors—Trey Hurd, 170; Hector Olivas, 195; Noah Presson 285; Keaton Sander, 138, 31-10, SQ; Koby Schroeder, 285; Braulio Vargas, 160; Alek Vasquez, 132; Eric Vazquez, 120, 11-10
Sophomores—Hunter Britt, 145; Valentin Delgadillo, 285; Tyler Epp, 138; Quan Garcia, 138; Tristan Heine, 285; Michael Higby, 152; Aron Reyes, 160; Blake Ridgel, 170; Braxton Schooler, 132; Tre Stevenson, 285; Diego Vasquez, 285; Kaleb Vasquez, 132
Freshmen—Skylar Burkes, 106; Jorge Enriquez, 170; Natalie Garza, 106; Jacob Hanrahan, 138; Christopher Kay, 160; Pablo Martinez, 182; Jacob Meeks, 145; Jonas Meeks, 126; Kaden Schroeder, 220; Jeffrey Spragis, 145; Jace Whetham, 152.

SCHEDULE
12-5—Valley Center, Wichita Carroll, Emporia at Valley Center
12-12—at Douglass Tournament
12-17—Dodge City Dual
12-18—at Hoisington Cardinal Classic
1-8-9—at Derby Tournament
1-16—at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Dual Tournament
1-23—at Paola Tournament
1-29-30—at Garden City Tournament
2-4—at Liberal Quad
2-6—at Goddard Dual Tournament
2-11—at Hays Dual
2-20—at Class 5A Regional
2-26-27—at Class 5A State