Benedictine College Athletic Director Charlie Gartenmayer announced that the interim title will be removed from wrestling coach Thomas Williams and Coach Williams will take over the reigns of the wrestling program full time.
“Thomas was thrust into a difficult situation and has done an outstanding job of leading the program through this transition period,” said Gartenmayer. “His leadership of the program as the interim coach has proven to us that he has the necessary skills to lead the program as the head coach into the future.”
Coach Williams moved into the role of interim head coach shortly after the programs first tournament of the season after joining the Benedictine staff as a graduate assistant in the fall.
“I feel very lucky and blessed to be given this amazing opportunity,” Coach Williams said. “I would like to thank Charlie Gartenmayer and President Steven Minnis for granting me with this position. I have received so much support from the school and alumni since I became the interim coach.
“A lot of this year has been surreal. I only moved to Kansas in August to begin working as a grad assistant and my college career only ended in March of 2012.”
Coach Williams was a four-year starter at NCAA Div. I American University at the 125-pound weight class. During his career at American he was a two-time EIWA place winner and was also a two-time NCWA Academic All-America selection.
He is a native of San Dimas, Calif., where he was a three-time state placer and a state champion.
He gradated from American with two Bachelor degrees, one in International Service and the other in Business.
With the interim title removed, Coach Williams can now focus not just on the remainder of the current season but the future of the program.
“I believe that with the interim title removed it will make it far easier for me to recruit even more student athletes,” Coach Williams said. “Now the athletes I have been recruiting will know that there is stability and they know who will be coaching them next year for sure.
“I also look forward to searching for a great graduate assistant. I am excited to begin this search and have another person with me that can help guide our Benedictine College wrestling team towards success in the classroom and in competition.”
The inaugural season for the wrestling program is hitting the home stretch with just a few competitions remaining before Benedictine enters its first postseason opportunity.
With a road dual on Friday against NAIA member Bethany (Kan.) College and one final open tournament on Sunday in Marshall, Mo., at Missouri Valley College, the Ravens will then turn their attention to a postseason run.
The Ravens will compete in a NAIA Regional Tournament at Baker University in Baldwin City on Feb. 16.
— BC Sports Information —