By Dewey Terrill
JC Post
When the Junction City and Manhattan High School wrestling teams square off in their annual dual match Thursday night there will be a strong family connection. The head coach of the Blue Jays is Tyler Gonzalez while the head coach of the Indians in his father, Robert Gonzalez.
Tyler confirmed that this is the first time he and his dad, who has received Hall of Fame and National and State Coach of the Year recognition, have competed against one another. The Blue Jay coach said he's not normally an emotional person. "So for me it's probably been just more stoic trying to appreciate the opportunity and the moment. Tyler wrestled for his father when Robert Gonzalez was the head coach at Shawnee Heights High School near Topeka. Tyler is in his first year guiding the Blue Jay program.
Manhattan is ranked eighth in the latest Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association Class 6A rankings.
Tyler knows the Blue Jays will have a big crowd behind them, but noted that Manhattan has four ranked wrestlers. "We know who they are, and so we've got to find a way to minimize the damage that they can potentially do."
The evening will include recognition of former Junction City wrestling coaches, the Robert Laster, Lamont Godsey and the late R. Ben Bennett.
The junior varsity boys and girls varsity wrestling begins at 5 p.m. and the varsity boys wrestling at 6 p.m. in the Shenk Gym at JCHS.