MAT PREVIEW: North Callaway brings new coach to experienced roster

By Jeremy Jacob, Sports Editor
Posted 12/3/22

North Callaway wrestling is coming off its most successful season ever.

The Thunderbirds sent a record 11 wrestlers to the state meet in a season that also saw them win their first ever tournament …

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MAT PREVIEW: North Callaway brings new coach to experienced roster

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North Callaway wrestling is coming off its most successful season ever.

The Thunderbirds sent a record 11 wrestlers to the state meet in a season that also saw them win their first ever tournament team title at the Ray Stockdale Invitational in Knob Noster.

North Callaway’s returning nine state qualifiers will be led by first-year head coach Ronnie Kimbley, who is also the football team’s defensive coordinator and brings years of wrestling coaching experience to the program.

Kimbley said he took the job when the opportunity presented itself to be more involved in the student-athletes’ development following the departure of Jake Vitale, who took a position at his alma mater Mexico. In the almost decade North Callaway has offered wrestling, Kimbley has been an assistant since the beginning while also coaching in the school’s youth wrestling program. He considers himself a “student of the sport” since he hasn’t competed on the mat himself and brings an “intensity and passion for competing” that he hopes is “infectious” for the program.

“I only took the position after confirming my assistant coaches were on board, Jadon Henry and James Haubner,” Kimbley said. “Both of these guys are alumni and have great experience both on and off the mat. I have had the opportunity to learn from some outstanding wrestling coaches – Cory Henry, Clay Caswell, Nick Purler, Ross Rosenbaum and Jake Vitale.”

Leading the group of returners Kimbley will coach are juniors Lane Kimbley and Riley Humphrey, who each won a state medal for the 21st-place Thunderbirds. Kimbley finished third in the 126-pound weight class while Humphrey came away with sixth at 138 pounds.

Among the six upperclassmen who also wrestled at state for North Callaway last season are seniors Carson Safranski (152 pounds last year), Eli Henry (160), AJ Siegel (132) and Mathias Lobb (170) and juniors Cashton Holloway (113) and Tristan Young (106).

“We are probably the strongest in our leadership,” Kimbley said. “Our juniors and seniors have led this group for a few years, and they all add a different dynamic to the team. Work ethic, skill and technique, passion, and the mental side of wrestling are just a few traits that these young men have and are passing down to our underclassmen.”

Sophomore John Higgins leads the underclassmen group after qualifying for state at 120 pounds.

Girls wrestling even has a presence for North Callaway again this year following a year when no girl came out. Freshman Brooke Giboney expects to compete at the lower 100-pound weight classes, Kimbley said, and is learning quickly in her first year in wrestling.

“Brooke has been a great addition to our team,” Kimbley said. “She is hardworking and picks up moves fast. I am looking forward to seeing her on the mat and watching her grow.”

Kimbley said North Callaway has the idea to “level up” as wrestlers and as human beings. Even after wrestling careers are over, a Thunderbird should still have accountability, work ethic, compassion, discipline and respect in what Kimbley says is being a “better you for a better us.”

“All of our wrestlers enter the practice room with the mindset to leave better than I walked in,” Kimbley said. “This is everyone from beginner to state placer. Everyone has room to improve, and they all realize it. We have a room full of state qualifiers and medalists that were not satisfied with how they finished last year, and they are working very hard for a different outcome this season.”


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