In the world of high school sports, changes in coaching staff can bring about a mix of excitement and apprehension. For Spearville High School, the hiring of Christopher Sohm as the new head coach signifies a fresh chapter filled with promise and potential. Sohm, a seasoned coach with a decade of experience, replaces Jerrod Stanford, who resigned following the 2009-10 school year. His hiring was officially approved by the USD 381 school board in May.
Sohm hails from a small town akin to Spearville, giving him a deep understanding and appreciation for the community and its unique dynamics. His coaching philosophy and approach have been shaped by his extensive experience at the 2A level. Being born and raised in a town about the same size as Spearville, Sohm has always taught and coached around the 2A level, feeling comfortable with that size of school. Competing against Spearville in the past in various types of competitions, he was always pleased to see the support they had from the community.
Spearville is not entirely unfamiliar territory for Sohm, who has previously coached at Satanta and most recently at Canton-Galva. His coaching career began as an assistant at La Crosse, providing him with a solid foundation and valuable insights into the world of high school sports. During his tenure at Canton-Galva, Sohm led the team to a 5-16 finish last season, showing marked improvement from the 3-18 record of the previous year. Canton-Galva played in the Heart of America Conference, a highly competitive league that includes Berean Academy, the 2010 Class 2A state champions. Sohm believes that this is one of the hardest 2A basketball leagues in the state, acknowledging the rigorous competition that helped hone his coaching skills.
One of the pivotal influences in Sohm's coaching career has been Roger Trimmell, with whom he worked at Canton-Galva. Trimmell, the former head boys basketball coach at McPherson College for over 25 years, imparted invaluable lessons to Sohm. During his time at Canton-Galva, Sohm learned a great deal about coaching, dealing with players, and life in general from Trimmell. Trimmell's influence on Sohm as a coach will be evident in the work he does with the new program at Spearville.
Spearville had initially appeared to offer Sohm the opportunity to work with a standout talent, the 6-foot-10 Willie Cauley. However, Cauley has decided to transfer to Olathe Northwest, a move that reshaped Sohm's initial plans. Like many in the community, Sohm was disappointed not to have the chance to coach Cauley, a young man with such a positive reputation.
Despite the loss of Cauley, as well as several other key players from the previous season, Sohm remains optimistic about the future. The team has lost its top six scorers, including standout guard Carson Konrade, creating an opportunity for other players to step up and shine. Sohm is hopeful that the kids who have been in the program the last few years will be able to continue and build off the success they have had recently at Spearville. This period is viewed as a chance for everyone to step up and prove themselves.
Sohm's coaching philosophy is centered on fostering a competitive environment where every player has an equal shot at earning time on the court. Without Cauley in the middle and the two guards, Konrade and Mitchell Ackerman, who will go play at Colby, Sohm believes everyone should have an equal shot at earning time on the floor. He hopes that as a result, the competition at practice will lead to good results on the floor.
In addition to his role as head basketball coach, Sohm will also serve as an assistant coach on the football team, bringing a decade of coaching experience to the gridiron. His background as a high school athlete at Otis-Bison High School, where he played quarterback in the fall and guard during basketball season, gives him a well-rounded perspective on student athletics. Sohm's playing career concluded after high school, leading him to Fort Hays State, where he furthered his education and began his journey in coaching. Alongside his coaching duties, Sohm is also a dedicated social studies teacher, committed to shaping young minds both on and off the field.
As Christopher Sohm steps into his new role at Spearville, the community can look forward to a period of rebuilding and growth. With his extensive experience, deep understanding of small-town sports, and a passion for developing young athletes, Sohm is poised to lead the Lancers to new heights. The journey ahead may be challenging, but under Sohm's guidance, Spearville's basketball and football programs are set to thrive and excel.
