4A Co-Assistant Coach of the Year - 2002

RAY HIGLEY
Colby High School

Colby High School’s Ray Higley is honored as the 4A Assistant Coach of the Year. Higley helped lead Colby to yet another exciting season, as the squad placed third at the Colby Tournament, 5th at Liberal, 4th in the NWKL league, 6th at Beloit, 1st at St. Francis, 5th at regionals, and 4th at the state tournament. The squad put together an 8-2 dual record on the year under the leadership of Higley and head coach Mitch Biems.

Higley served as an assistant coach at Atwood for ten years, before joining the Colby wrestling team’s staff four years ago. Since Higley has joined the Colby staff, the team has placed third, first, and fourth the past three years.

As a competitor, Higley placed fourth at state for Atwood High School in 1974 at 105 lbs. and was a state qualifier in 1974 and 1976. He wrestled for one year at the University of Northern Colorado. He graduated from Fort Hays State University.

Higley, who currently teaches eighth grade American History, coached a U.S. team representing Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska in the summer of 2002 at the Down Under Games in Australia also.