Tournaments feature tough teams, coaches who were wrestling champs

The next couple of weekends will feature some topnotch wrestling competition in the area. Two tournaments will draw notable athletes and ranked teams.

First, the Derby tournament will be Jan. 9 and 10. The top three teams in Class 6A, according to the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association, are Goddard, Wichita Heights and Derby. All three will compete in the Panthers’ invitational. Other squads slated for the tournament are three of the top four Class 5A teams: Emporia, Bishop Carroll and Valley Center.

After that powerhouse lineup, another stellar tournament will take place the following weekend (Jan. 16 and 17) at Newton. Heights, Derby and Carroll will have a repeat chance to face off. Additional opponents include Wichita Northwest and Maize, ranked No. 4 and 5, respectively, in Class 6A.

Also visiting Newton will be Class 5A standouts Liberal (ranked No. 5) and Salina South (No. 8). Clay Center, the top-ranked team in 4A, will provide another challenge.

CatchItKansas.com recently featured a local wrestling legend, Roy Oeser. He was a four-time state champion at Kapaun Mt. Carmel who now coaches at Maize. During his tenure, son Karl Oeser won a title for the Eagles. Roy isn’t the only former state champion who now leads his own program.

Kapaun coach Tim Dryden won a 6A title in 1984 as a 98-pounder at Wichita North. He won again at 105 pounds the following year.

Brett Means coaches Goddard, the defending state champion in 6A. He won a 3A championship in 1975, when he wrestled for the Lions at the 105-pound weight division.

Emporia coach Greg Buckbee earned the Spartans a 6A title in 1983, when he competed at 98 pounds. Emporia was the team champion that year.

Greg’s trip to state coincided with Clay Center coach Dennis Charbonneau’s appearance at state, albeit in different classifications. Dennis won 4A titles for the Tigers in 1981, 1982 and 1983 (all at 126 pounds). Clay Center won the team title in 1981. The Tigers are defending state champions this year.

Greg and Dennis have something else in common: The wrestling coaches association has named each man head coach of the year. Greg was 5A coach of the year in 2003, when he led Arkansas City’s team. Dennis was 4A coach of the year in 2001, 2005 and 2008.

I’ve probably missed other high school head coaches who were Kansas state champions, but it’s interesting how many area title holders have taken the helm of their own wrestling programs – some at their alma mater.