Gus Garcia
 

Coach Gus Garcia has logged many years of influence upon Kansas wrestling at all levels; from helping establish the Kansas Kids Wrestling Federation, to coaching 23 years at the high school and middle school levels, to competing collegiately at Kansas State University.

Early in Coach Garcia’s competitive career it was apparent that he would make an impact. While at Douglass High School, Coach Garcia earned 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place finishes for the Bulldogs at the Kansas State High School Tournament, and a 3rd place finish in the mile run at the Kansas State High School Track Meet. Coach Garcia furthered his athletic career by competing for the All Marine Wrestling Team from 1956 to 1959, followed by three years as a letterman and a 3rd Place Big Eight Medalist for Kansas State University from 1959 to 1964.

Even though Coach Garcia competed well as a wrestler, his biggest impact on the sport is through coaching. For 23 years Coach Garcia has been molding young athletes into tough competitors. He has coached 86 individual state medalists including 21 state champions, 27 state runners-up, 16 third place medalists, and 19 fourth place medalists. He began his coaching career in the powerful wrestling region of Northwest Kansas at Atwood High School in 1964. The Buffaloes had 12 top ten team finishes during Coach Garcia’s Atwood tenure highlighted by the 1972-73 State Team Championship. In 1981 Coach Garcia continued his career at Augusta High School where the Orioles earned 7 top ten team finishes. While at Augusta, Coach Garcia had the deep satisfaction of coaching his sons Gus and Gabe to 6 Kansas State High School medals, including Gus’ 1988 State Championship.

Perhaps Coach Garcia’s impact on wrestling is most notable at the kids wrestling level. Coach Garcia was instrumental in establishing the Kansas Kids Wrestling Federation, chaired the Kansas Kids Wrestling District IV (1965-1981), and officiated at the Kids State Tournament. His influence on youngsters came early to those who participated in these programs and continued through high school and other wrestling opportunities like the Kansas Freestyle Team he accompanied to Iran in 1974. Coach Garcia continues to impact wrestlers and the sport of wrestling serving as the Maize Middle School coach. Under his guidance since 1998, the young Eagles have won two Pioneer League championships.