The new head wrestling coach at Junction City High School met Friday with some of the athletes and parents involved with the Blue Jay wrestling program. For Tyler Gonzales it was an opportunity to introduce himself following his recent hire to fill the head wrestling coaching position at the senior high.

“It’s just great for people to put a name to a face, meet the new guy. start to hear some of the theories or ways I’m going to go about things and what I’d like to build as the culture moving forward.” Gonzales said the session well, not perhaps with the desired numbers, but we got some information out late to people ( on the meet and greet ) and he’ll return to the high school in about two weeks.

Gonzales says with someone new change is necessary at times, including some of the competition schedule and going to a couple of different tournaments, or reducing multiple duals and only have one or two that are important. He says expectations will include wrestlers in a weights class or if they’re not, going to after-school weights. If they’re not playing multiple sports what is the athlete doing to become a better wrestler? He also emphasized the importance for them to pass their classes and get their grades.

Gonzales succeeds Bob Laster in the head coaching job. Laster is retiring after 32 years in that job.