The Liberty Bell 2015-16 wrestling squad: Back row, from left, Tyson Coleman, Brady Moriarty, Tanner White, Finlay Holston, Kaleb Martin, coach Gunnar Doggett; front row, from left, Alex Garcia-Lopez, Jacob McMillan, Meritt Fink, Ivan Johnson, Mason Johnson.
By Don Nelson
Gunnar Doggett, the new Liberty Bell High School wrestling coach, didn’t need many introductions when he started the team’s workouts a couple of weeks ago.
Doggett isn’t that far removed from the Mountain Lions’ wrestling program himself. He’s a 2012 Liberty Bell graduate — and a two-time state champion.
“It’s like going to practice again — I’m just in charge,” Doggett said this week. “I know the kids and their families, so I could just jump right into wrestling.”
Doggett, who replaces Paul Schmekel, has been a volunteer coach in the Liberty Bell youth wrestling program for eight years, and spent the 2013-2014 season as assistant coach under Schmekel. He has also participated in mixed martial arts competition.
When Schmekel told Doggett that he would not return as coach, Doggett applied for the position. “I was excited right away” about the new job, Doggett said.
The new coach works out with the team, getting involved in demonstrating what he’s teaching, Doggett said.
Most of this season’s team members have wrestled for several years, while a few have limited experience
Returning from last year’s team are seniors Jacob McMillan, who finished second at the 2015 state tournament at 152 pounds and third in 2014, and Meritt Fink, who won a state championship at the 2014 tournament at 138 pounds but was hampered by injuries and did not place last season. Also returning is senior Ivan Johnson, who was an alternate on the 2015 state tournament team.
Liberty Bell won the state 1B/2B championship in 2013 and 2014, and finished third in 2015.
Doggett said that “we are a heavy team,” with no one under 138 pounds — unusual for Mountain Lion squads. He said he hopes to get three or four wrestlers to the state finals.
Competition began this week with at the Okanogan Jamboree on Wednesday (Dec. 2). The Mountain Lions will be on the road Saturday (Dec. 5) for the Omak Tournament.
Doggett doesn’t have an assistant yet, but he said applications for the position are open.
