New coaches in wrestling

It will seem like old times again with Carson High wrestling as a familiar face has returned to help direct the program.

Tim McCarthy, who was the longtime coach of the program before leaving after the 2001-2002 season, will be the co-head coach with Jim Franz, a Carson High teacher, who is staying in the program after serving as an assistant coach. Dave Lowe will continue to serve as an assistant coach in the program and Guy Rocha will continue to help out on a limited basis as well.

Meanwhile another familiar face to those at Carson High, Shari Andreasen, has taken over as the Dayton High girls basketball coach. Andreasen, the daughter of longtime Carson coach and athletic director Tom Andreasen, was a standout athlete herself in the mid-90s at Carson. Andreasen went on to become assistant coach at the school.

Franz and McCarthy, who works at Galena High, worked together in the Carson wrestling program before McCarthy left. They take over a solid program that goes into the season as the defending Northern 4A champion. Carson's zone title last season was its first in 15 years.

"We're going to split the head coaching responsibilities," McCarthy said. "Jim will do more of the administrative work and I'll do more of the teaching, technique." Franz said jokingly, "If we win zone this year, I'm the head coach."

Actually, McCarthy and Franz deserve much of the credit for developing the team that won zone last year. McCarthy still works with the Carson Bulldog youth wrestling program, which played a key role in developing last year's zone champion.

"I'll be going from this practice to the 'Dog Pound,'" said McCarthy, referring to the Carson Bulldogs' practice.

McCarthy and Franz were also quick to credit the coach they're replacing, Dean Schmanski, for last year's success. "Dean did a heckuva job," Schmanski said. "He took it to the next level," Franz said.

While McCarthy and Franz see themselves as interim coaches for this year, they wouldn't rule out the possibility of returning after this season.

"Jim and I were hoping they can find someone for next year," McCarthy said. "We may change our minds if they have us back."

Carson had its share of success under McCarthy, including a 25-1 mark in dual matches over his last two years. The Senators' first event this season, the Capital Classic, promises to be a challenge as two California powers are scheduled to compete - Laguna Creek of the Sacramento area, and Lemoore, one of the powers in the tough Central Section. McCarthy said Lemoore should bring a few wrestlers that qualified for the California State Championships last year.