The news was message posted at the Labette wrestling Facebook page on Wednesday afternoon: "We have our first team meeting scheduled for tomorrow, August 13th at 3:00. The new coaching staff is excited to meet all of the young men and ready to begin preparing them to become successful student athletes. For those that haven't heard, this year the Cardinals will be coached by '99 Cardinal wrestling alumnus and longtime LCC employee, Ben McKenzie. Coach McKenzie will be assisted by Kansas native and NJCAA National Champion, Jeff Vesta as well as former Cardinal wrestling alumnus John Hambleton. We are excited about the upcoming year and look forward to continuing the success of Labette Wrestling. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Cardinal family and look forward to seeing you in the stands this upcoming season."
According to his coach's biography already posted at the Labette wrestling website, McKenzie graduated from Parsons High School in 1996, then stayed in town to attend Labette, where he wrestled for coach Jody Thompson. After earning his Associate in Arts degree in Athletic Training in 1999, McKenzie went on to wrestle at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. while completing his degree in Athletic Training, graduating in 2001. After spending one year in Hays, Kan., McKenzie had the opportunity to return to Labette, where he served as Head Athletic Trainer for the Cardinals from 2002 until 2014. In 2014-15, McKenzie started the Exercise Science program at Labette, and will continue to serve as a faculty member as well as head wrestling coach.
McKenzie replaces Ryan Phillips, who had headed up the Labette Community College wrestling program for the past two seasons. Phillips' first season as head coach was challenging; in 2013-14, the Cardinals compiled a 1-11 dual-meet record just two years after winning the team title at the 2012 NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Wrestling Championships. However, the following season, Phillips turned things around, sending eight wrestlers to the national championships, with four of them finishing as All-Americans, and the team just missing placing among the top ten in the overall standings. For his turnaround performance, in 2015 Phillips was named the NJCAA West Central District Coach of the Year.
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