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T.J. Goeglein hasn’t had to spend a lot of extra time on introductions.

Despite stepping in as the new head coach of the Liberty North High School wrestling program, Goeglein has already established relationships with a number of his athletes. He took care of that while working with the Liberty Junior High wrestling program the past three years.

“We’ve gotten off to a good start this summer,” Goeglein said. “We’ve put in summer training and had a good week of camp, but we have plenty of challenges in front of us.”

Goeglein has the challenge of his first high school head coaching position. His young wrestlers have an equally tough task.

Without the services of seniors, the Eagles will have to find a way to compete in a sport that often favors more physically mature athletes. But not only that, North will have to do it as a member of the Suburban Small Six Conference, a league that includes perennial state powerhouses Oak Park, Kearney and Platte County.

“We have some great competition in our conference,” Goeglein said. “If we can have success against our conference, we’re going to have success at state. To get better you have to wrestle the best competition, and this is one of the best leagues around. It’s only going to help us get better.”

One of the other things that will help the Eagles compete is improved strength and athleticism. Many of the wrestlers will be doing just that before the season rolls around while participating in fall sports, a large number with the football program.

“I’m a big proponent of multi-sport athletes,” Goeglein said. “I encourage the guys to try different sports. It helps conditioning and strength, and it prevents the kids from getting burnt out. But more than anything else, by just competing improves mental toughness.”

Goeglein knows a thing or two about that as a former Nebraska high school state champion in 1995. Now he’s carrying on what he learned at Lincoln East under the tutelage of Marty McCurdy, a veteran coach who has produced not only high-quality wrestlers but current high school coaches in the region.

“Coach was a huge positive influence on me and a lot of other guys considering there’s five of us former wrestlers who are head coaches now,” Goeglein said. “He made a difference in my life.

“… Now I’m ready for this great opportunity to start a new program, start building traditions of our own. We’re definitely heading in the right direction. I just can’t wait until we can get in our own wrestling room and experience the things that will bind us together as a team.”

Sports writer Chris Geinosky can be reached at 389-6654 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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