By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Rebuilding a program is no small task. Former Great Bend High School wrestling coach Nathan Broeckelman took over the Barton Community College program earlier this year. Ahead of the upcoming season, Broeckelman and his wrestlers will host an Hour A Thon fundraiser from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7.
"Basically, what we'll be doing is making some phone calls and reaching out to some of our friends and family that our joining the Cougar wrestling team this year," Broeckelman said, "in hopes to raise some funds and money to rebrand the program as well as cover travel expenses, hotels, meals, and everything you can realistically think of when it comes to making a long trip for some wrestling tournaments."
The Cougar squad featured just four wrestlers two years ago and six grapplers last year. Broeckelman has already bumped the roster to 21 athletes and managers ahead of his first season with the program.
"We've got a lot more mouths to feed, obviously, than they've had in the last couple of years, as well as entry fees, hotel room expenses," he said. "We're just trying to get kids excited about wrestling at Barton County at the collegiate level again."
Broeckelman also hopes to be able to use funds for new singlets as part of a rebranding process with the program. A link for credit/debit card donations will be posted during Thursday's Hour A Thon. Anyone with questions about the fundraiser can call or text Broeckelman before or during the event at (785) 871-7981.