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Leavenworth Pioneer Wrestling
2009-2010

2009-2010

SHAWN BUNCH WINS WORLD TRIALS!!

The article below is about 2001 Leavenworth graduate Shawn Bunch who qualified to represent Team USA at the World Championships this September! He won the U.S. World Qualifying tournament today - 5/31/09.

Bunch turns the tables on Zadick to make his first World Team Michael Carnes Special to TheMat.com COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- The third time was the charm for Shawn Bunch.

After losing to Mike Zadick in the finals of the 2008 Olympic Trials and the 2009 U.S. Nationals, Bunch finally got over the hump against the former University of Iowa standout to earn a spot on the U.S. national team as the 60-kilogram representative in the freestyle division for the World Championship this September in Herning, Denmark.

It wasn't easy, though -- Bunch avoided a last-second takedown attempt by Zadick to win the first match (3-0, 1-3, 2-1), then broke a scoreless tie in the final seconds of the second match with a defensive pushout that forced Zadick out of bounds, giving Bunch a 3-0, 0-2, 1-0 victory.

After losing to Zadick in two previous major tournament finals with a spot on the national team on the line, Bunch said those bad memories entered into his mind.

"I know what I did before (against Zadick), but I came here inspired by that," he said. "There was a lot of tension built up and a lot of bad dreams after not making the Olympic team, but I know what I can do and I just knew it would come together. I knew it was my time be champ."

Bunch, ranked second, came through the challenge tournament with wins over Daniel Dennis, Nick Gallick and Matt Valenti to earn a shot at top-ranked Zadick for a spot on the U.S. national team. Overcoming two previous defeats to the three-time University of Iowa All-American had the Leavenworth, Kan., native and two-time All-American from Edinboro feeling great about himself.

"It's great to have an opportunity to go after that gold medal with all the sacrifices I've made in my life," he said. "I knew I had to battle through the whole tournament just to get to (Zadick) and had stay focused. I'm really excited (about qualifying) and I'm going to be ready."

2008-2009 SEASON REVIEW

The 2008-09 season finished off with a 6^th place showing at the Sunflower League Tournament, 3^rd place at the Regional Tournament, and 25^th at the state tournament. The Pioneers began the year with a young and inexperienced group led by returning state qualifiers Tony Blaski, Mike Beachem, and Justin Colver. However as the year went on the team improved incredibly and ended the year with 9 state qualifiers! The Pioneers had two regional champions: Juniors Josh Bush at 215 pounds and Josh Wilson at heavyweight. Much of the team’s improvement is credited to the senior captains this year: Justin Colver, Mike Beachem, and John Judy. Although the team will have a tough task in replacing seniors like Blaski, Judy, and Colver; the coaching staff is excited at the experience coming back to next year’s squad.

Currently in this off season, Josh Bush, Will Price, and Corbin Southerland qualified for the Kid’s Club state tournament with Josh Bush taking 5^th. Leavenworth also had four All-Americans recently at the Brute-Adidas National tournament: Tony Blaski (4^th), John Judy (6^th), Josh Bush (8^th), and Justin Colver (4^th). Colver also earned first team status on the KWCA All-Academic team this year with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.97! This year the Pioneers had a girl complete the season for the first time in our 50 year history, way to go Anissa Litif! Anissa also placed 3^rd at the Girl’s Kansas State Tournament held in March.

The 2009-2010 season is shaping up to be a truly exciting year for the Pioneer wrestling family. We have a jam packed summer of events including summer weights, a summer wrestling league in June, the Freestyle state championships, and summer camp in July! The Pioneer team will return 6 state qualifiers and 8 total varsity starters from last year’s squad: Brian Lee (SQ), Javon Haines (SQ), Mike Beachem (SQ), Will Price (SQ), Charles Davis, Byron Hadfield, Josh Bush (SQ), and Josh Wilson (SQ). The upcoming summer preparation will prepare us for the challenges of the winning the Sunflower League, Regionals, and a quest for the gold at the state tournament.

Upcoming Events

Car Wash Dates - June 20, 2009 @ 10:00 AM and July 18, 2009 @ 10:00 AM

Summer Camp Dates - July 6 - 10, 2009

Leavenworth Pioneer Wrestling History

The Wrestling program is presently into its 51^st season, which started back in 1957-58 under the leadership of George Bistline. The intention at that time was to give the Football players an alternative in conditioning during the off-season. Fifteen young men signed up with the practices held at Ables. The team gave demonstrations during halftime of Basketball games and participated in one match, which they lost 10-39 to Highland Park.

The following season (58-59), the program became a major sport under the guidance of Coach Bistline and Vaughn Kimbrough. The team had eight matches and ended the season at 2-6 with both victories over St. Joseph Lafayette.

The following are highlights of Pioneer Wrestling's proud history, which started from modest beginnings.

1. 1959-60 -- Team has 30 participants and goes 4-4 on the season.

2. 1960-61 -- Pioneers have their first state placer, Art Johnson, who takes third at heavyweight. Former assistant Elwin McRoy was a state qualifier from this team.

3. 1962-63 -- Records it's first undefeated dual season at 8-0 then in 1963-64 the Pioneers win their first tournament at Highland Park.

4. 1966-67 -- Record their highest finish in the Centennial League by taking second with four champions: Dave Albright, Steve Albright, Al Galbreath, and Don Howard who also became Leavenworth's second state placer with a third at 103 lbs.

5. 1967-68 -- Pioneers win their first Centennial League Championship along with a District title.

6. 1968-69 -- Bob VanHorn becomes the Pioneers first state champion, goes undefeated, and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the prestigious North Kansas City Tournament.

7. 1971-72 -- A banner year for the Pioneers with tournament victories at North Kansas City, District, and winning the state championship by ½ a point over rival Emporia High School.

8. 1974-75 -- Record their first ten-win season by going 10-0.

9. 1973-1977 -- Pioneers put together a string of 34 dual victories without a lost.

10. 1977-78 -- Pioneers end Emporia's national dual record for victories in a row by defeating them 26-16. Emporia had not lost a dual since 1965

11. 1980-83 -- Four straight top three finishes at state.

12. 1981-82 -- Become part of the Sunflower League and win a league tournament. In the last 21 years in the league, the Pioneers have been a major factor with a top three finish or better in fourteen of those tournaments.

13. 1999 & 2001 -- Earn their 8th and 9th Regional Titles.

14. 2000-01 -- Shawn Bunch becomes the first 4-time placer in school history with two titles and twice taking second. Also first KWCA Wrestler of the Year from Leavenworth.

15. 2003-04 – Won both Sunflower League and Regionals – last time we won both in same year was 1984-85 and it was the first league title since 1985.

16. Since the introduction of the Metro Classic Dual between Kansas and Missouri the Pioneers have had eight chosen to compete. Pioneer wrestlers are 4-3 in this dual.

17. 2005-06 -- Aaron Ely wins the Rocky Mountain Nationals for the second time and earns Outstanding Wrestler honors. Also earns Outstanding Wrestler honors at four season tournaments

18. 2006-07 – Aaron Ely becomes the second 4 time state placer in school history with two titles.

Aaron also earns NWCA Kansas Wrestler of the Year honors.
19. 2007-08 – 50^th anniversary celebration for Leavenworth High School Pioneer Wrestling. Phil Witt becomes the 10^th Pioneer wrestler to be chosen to compete in the Metro Classic Dual. Phil Witt becomes a two time state finalist and the fourth Pioneer to qualify for state all four years.

20. 1984 – 2008 – Head Coach David Schmidt retires after leading the Pioneers for 24 years, nearly half of the wrestling program’s existence. Coach Schmidt’s team’s earned numerous League and Regional titles, as well as Dave himself earning Kansas Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1999.

21. 2008-2009 – Celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of hosting the Leavenworth Challenger. The tournament was started by then head coach David Schmidt in 1988.