History of Wrestling

at Leavenworth High School

The Wrestling program is presently into its 49th 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 seven 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.