HISTORY OF THE
GEARY INVITATIONAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT

In the 63 past years of the Geary Invitational Wresting Tournament, there are many traditions that have remained constant. The small yet distinctive Geary medal has never changed. Visiting schools are still housed in local homes. The "best" wrestling schools in Oklahoma (and other states) are annually invited. Geary's entire population turns out and extends courtesy and generosity that is unparalleled.

In the management of the tournament, tradition has also continued. No advancement points or seeding is allowed, but challenge matches for second places are still permitted in the Geary Tournament.

Even the best can be improved upon and it in 1978 had been. The biggest change ever occurred when the Geary Tournament was no longer crowded into the high school gymnasium. It was moved two blocks west into the Bison Field house. The field house was renamed Stegall-Long Field House in 2000 in honor of Bob Stegall and Alan Long.

"Tradition" is a big word in Geary, just as "Geary" is a big word in the world of wrestling. The Geary Tournament is the oldest in Oklahoma as well as the entire nation. Because of this tournament, Geary has become known throughout Oklahoma and the country.

1944-1949

For many years Geary had hosted District and Regional Tournaments for the State. Coach Bob Stegall, however, decided to start a High School Invitational Wrestling Tournament in 1944 and the rest is history.

For the first five years of the tournament, Blackwell placed first year after year, while Perry placed second. NCAA Champ Jim Gregerson, of OSU, won Geary in 1945 and 1946 wrestling for Blackwell. In 1949, Tulsa Central stopped the Blackwell championship streak. National Wrestling Hall of Famer, Hugh Perry, from Tulsa Central was champion at 112 pounds. Another interesting wrestler, Danny Hodge, took fourth place that year. Perry broke into the championship in 1950. Classen, of Oklahoma City, was second, one point behind Perry.

Blackwell, with five champions in ten weights, was king in 1951. Two-time champion Hodge, and eventual three-time champion, Bill Pricer, kept Perry within seven points in second place.

Perry was champion again in 1952 and its neighboring rival Blackwell was second, twenty-one points behind Perry. NCAA Champion, Gordon Roelser of OU, was heavyweight champion for Perry that year.

Although all team scores for 1953 are not known, it is known that Blackwell's, Harmon’s Leslie, and Perry's Bill Pricer graduated as three-time Geary champions that year. Perry was team champs with Putnam City second.

Scores for 1954 shown Perry as champions with Classen as second, Blackwell as third, and Geary as fourth. NCAA champion Gordon Roesler, of OU, was heavyweight champion for Perry that year.

1950-1959

Perry, Stillwater, Edmond, and Classen each had two champions is 1955. Stan Abel NCAA champion and for Oklahoma University coach, finished second at 122 pounds.

Returning to the champion’s throne for the last time was Blackwell in 1956. Stillwater with three champions was second in 1956. Blackwell with four champions could manage only a second, two points behind 1957 champion Perry. Two champions, Tom Chesbro, Stillwater, and Ronnie Clinton, Blackwell, went on to be major college wrestling coaches at OSU and EIU, respectively. This was the only year Glenwood Groom of Perry failed to win a championship. Groom finished fourth at 122 pounds, while he was in his sophomore year. NCAA champion Ted Ellis, of OSU, was heavyweight champion for Blackwell while NCAA Champion, Duane Miller of OU finished second.

In 1958, Perry was the tournament’s only champion for the seventh and last time. Two NCAA champions at OSU were champions at Geary that year, Bob Johnson of Amarillo and Jack Brisco of Blackwell. Two-time Olympian and one-time NCAA champion, Wayne Baughman of OU, could only manage a third place finish while wrestling for the John Marshall Bears at Geary.

A new name entered the championship ring in 1959 and once there, Edmond remained for three straight years. Not a newcomer to Geary, however, Edmond had entered the fifteen tournaments prior to 1959 and finished second once, third three times, and fourth three times. There were two NCAA champions that were Geary champions in 1959, Mickey Martin of OU and Tulsa Central and Jack Brisco. Glenwood Groom of Perry was a tree-time champion by the time he graduated.

1960-1969

In 1960, Edmond boasted five champions in the first six weights. This was the first year since the tournament's beginning that more than ten individual champions were placed. Rule change dictated twelve weights and therefore, twelve champions. Brisco graduated as three-time Geary champion. Geary, the host school had its highest finish team-wise when the Bison took second.

In 1961, Edmond again took the championship but a young John Marshall team was gaining strength. NCAA champion, Jerry Stanley of OU, placed third for Putnam City. Jack Pinkley of Edmond won his third straight Geary title and became the next in line to attempt to be Geary's first four-time champion. Pinkley was only a junior.

Geary champion in 1962 was John Marshall, which had four individual champions. The Geary Tournament is known to have some of its greatest match’s occurring before the finals. This held true in "62". Without seeding, Russ McAdams of John Marshall drew Pinkley, in quest of number four in the semifinals. McAdams defeated Pinkley to deny Pinkley and the Geary Tournament its first four-timer.

The championship in 1963 and 1964 officially belongs to John Marshall. They had six champions in 1963 and four champions in 1964. One of the champions for the Bears both years went on to win the highest award in the country and four years later the highest in the world. That wrestler and Olympic Gold medal winner is Wayne Wells who is now a prominent Attorney in OKC.

In its nineteenth year in Geary, Del City finally reigned as champion in 1965. Del City only crowned two champions, but it had four second place finishers and edged Edmond into second place by eight points.

In 1966, the tightest team race in the history of the Geary Tournament occurred. Norman won with 40 points, followed by Hobart with 36, John Marshall with 35, and U.S. Grant with 33. The year produced a definite power change in Oklahoma wrestling. David Graves was the last Geary champion from Blackwell, which had won a total of seven Geary team championships. Ron Girod became the first Geary champion from Midwest City which had won thirteen Geary team championships.

U.S. Grant easily won the tournament in 1967 with a 25-point margin over second place Norman. Two senior champions that year became three-time champions: Tom Abercrombie of Norman and 135 pound Eddie Griffin of U.S. Grant. Griffin eventually became the coach at what is presently the University of Central Oklahoma.

In 1968, U.S. Grant easily repeated as team champs with four individual champions. Gary Breece, later a NCAA Champion at OU, was a Geary Champion for Edmond as was his older brother, Jim.

Tragedy struck the 1968 Geary Tournament before the first whistle blew. The Ponca City team, traveling in a caravan did not make it to the tournament in intact. George Walker, a Geary Champion in 1945 and Ponca City resident, was driving the lead car with several Ponca City wrestlers aboard. Eleven and one-half miles east of Geary, a fully loaded wheat truck missed the first car, but hit the following car on a rain slick curve. The car, driven by Ponca City coach, Ted Pierce, was also loaded with wrestlers. Pierce, who had wrestled for Blackwell at the Geary tournament in high school, died of his injuries from the crash. One of his wrestlers, Mike Davis, was totally disabled. Walker, who was refereeing brought the remainder of the team to Geary. The Ponca City team wrestled for the memory of their coach, but to no avail, their team failed to place a single wrestler. The fight was lost, but certainly their efforts made them "Geary Champions" in every possible way.

John Marshall returned to the top in 1969 with four champions and a twenty-three point victory over U.S. Grant. A sad farewell was bid to Blackwell, perennial champion in the early days, after they failed to score a single team point. It also ended the winning streak of Gerald and Larry Winnard of U.S. Grant. Gerald won in 1966 and 1967 while Larry, his brother continued the four-year "Winnard Win" streak by receiving titles in 1968 and 1969.

1970-1979

In 1970, for the second consecutive year, the Bears of John Marshall were the winners, but the Bombers of Midwest City were closing the gap. Only six points separated the two teams. John Marshall and four champions and Midwest City had three.

1972 proved to be the "year of the Bombers", for in 1972 team champions emerged as well as five Geary individual champions. Three-time champion, Robin Ameen graduated as a champion for Midwest City. John Marshall slipped to fourth place while Norman climbed to second only two points behind Midwest City.

Norman won the title in 1973 and it’s last in 1974 with Midwest City placing second both years. Keith Green won his third title for Norman in 1973. A tremendous group of sophomores wrestled in 1974 with at least five Geary champions.

In 1975 Midwest City regained its former title and Norman slipped to second place, only two points behind Midwest City. Midwest City had only one champion, Paul Ameen. Tight team races were at their peak that year. When the challenge matches began late Saturday night, the race was still up for grabs. Norman lost its only challenge match of the evening at 108 pounds when Robert Simms of Edmond beat David Baker of Norman 2-0. Midwest City then lost at 130 pounds 3-2. That brought about one of the wildest and most exciting matches in the history of the tournament. Before the six minute match was over, referee Butch Jacobsen stopped the match seven times, three times to check the score and four times to move the crowd back. Allen Tate of Midwest City defeated Bill Blalock of Putnam City, 16-12. The team title however, was not won until Dean Wright of Midwest City won by default over Marc Yates, of John Marshall, at 157 pounds.

"Super Sophomores" of 1974 surfaces as "Super Seniors" in 1976. Midwest City was team champion and the Maroons of Perry were second. Both teams were well ahead of the pack. Those five sophomore champions of 1974 also won as seniors in 1976. Three were three-timers: Jeff Robinette of Perry, Ron Fullerton of Norman, and Paul Ameen of Midwest City. All three joined an elite group. The other two wrestled for Del City, NCAA champion, Lee Roy Smith, (now head wrestling coach at Arizona State) and three-time NAIA Champion David James of Central State.

Putnam City won its only championship in 1977 with three champions. It was followed by Midwest City, which trailed four and one-half points and three champions. Winning his only Geary title that year was four-time state champ, Cecil Beisel of Perry. The Geary Tournament is still looking for its first four-time champ.

Midwest City's four champions were only ten points better than the eight who placed from Putnam City in 1978. Although many brother acts competed at Geary none until this time were more prolific than the Ameen’s of Midwest City. When senior Bill Ameen won his crown in 1978, it brought the Ameen’s total to seven. Brothers, Robin and Paul were both "three-timers". This was the first tournament held in Geary's new gymnasium.

One of the Geary Tournament's traditions that are unpredictable and uncontrollable is the winter weather. The 1979 storm was one of the worst in Geary's history. Of the eighteen teams invited, only nine could make the slippery trip. Several teams arrived the night before the tournament's start. Weather that year, it seems, ended several streaks. Edmond failed to have a team wrestle for the first time in the thirty-five years. Putnam City, a thirty-four year competitor, also missed the tournament because of the weather. Bad luck hit two Putnam City wrestlers especially hard, because of the weather the "Dynamic Duo", Chaz Richards and Shelby Stone were kept from becoming three-time Geary champions. Moore became a team of champions, placing all twelve wrestlers, and Del City, with four champions finished second. Quantity was short in 1979 but certainly not quality. 1979 State Champions were Midwest City (4a), Perry (2a), and Geary (a). All three teams had wrestled in the 1979 Geary Invitational Tournament.

1980-1989

A team scoring record was set in 1980 by Midwest City. Five champions and six other places helped the Bombers score 177 points. Del City was second again, trailing by 65 points. Del City's Mark Games of Midwest City became the third Games brother to be a Geary champion. Mike's older brothers Everett and Charles had been champions for U.S. Grant.

The Bombers were king in 1981. Midwest City again placed eleven of twelve wrestlers and walked away with three champions. Edmond edged Altus for second by one-half point. Five one-time champions wrestled successfully for their second crown. They were Mitch Brinlee of Putnam City, Leon Hughes of Perry, Randy Fipps of Noble, and John Johnson and John Lavioltte of Midwest City. This was the first year the competition involved thirteen weights.

1982 saw Tulsa Union break into the championship narrowly edging out Midwest City by three points. John Smith of Del City became a two-time Geary champion as John Laviolette of Midwest City became two-time champ after winning his first in 1980.

Midwest City again regained the championship in 1983 with three champions. John Smith of Del City became a three-time champ as Keith Walton of Midwest City became a two-time champ.

Midwest City repeated as champs in 1984 led by two-time champ Todd Deaton. Also that year Glenn Simpkins of Putnam City and Corey Baze of Putnam City North joined the group of two-time Geary champions.

1985 saw Ponca City gain their first championship ever as they had returned to the Geary Tournament in 1982 for the first time since the tragic wreck in 1968 that claimed the life of Coach Ted Pierce. Ty Deaton of Midwest City became a two-time Geary champ as did Kendall Cross of Mustang and Baron Blakely of Tulsa Union.

Ponca City again repeated as champs in 1986 placing twelve of the thirteen wrestlers. Kendall Cross of Mustang joined the elite group of three-time Geary champions. Phillip Chandler of Midwest City and Johnny Nimmo and Doug Watson of Del City became two-time Geary champs.

Midwest City regained the championship in 1987. T.J. Jaworsky of Edmond won his first title at Geary as a freshman and Lee Roy and John Smith's younger brother Pat won his first championship. Donnie Heckel of Edmond claimed his three-time champ status this year.

In 1988 weather claimed the title as the worst snow storm in the tournaments history forced cancellation. It may have also claimed Geary's first four-time champ as T.J. Jaworsky of Edmond who had won in 1987, repeated his wins in 1989 and 1990.

Edmond won the team title in 1989 after one of Midwest City's champions was ruled ineligible by the OSSAA. This year saw T.J. Jaworsky of Edmond, Pat Smith of Del City, and Mark Gerguson of Tulsa Union wins their second titles.

1990-1999

1990 saw Midwest City regain their championship status and remain there through 1991 and 1992. In 1990 T.J. Jaworsky of Edmond became a three-time champion and Trent London of Tuttle became a two-time champion. This year also saw Geary with their first individual champion since 1964 when Shane Kerr at 101 defeated Noble's Freddy Hall in the finals match.

In 1991, Scott Schlucter became a two-time champ after winning his first title in 1989 for Del City and then his second in 1991 wrestling for Edmond. Matt Orr and Dusty Mauldin of Midwest City became two-time champs in 1991. Brent Dequasie of Midwest City joined the elite three-time group in 1991.

1992 saw D.J. Choate of Midwest City and Miquel Spencer of Del City win their two-time championship and Paul Miller of Edmond joined the elite group of three-time champions.

In 1993, Del City captured the team title only for the second time in the history of the tournament. Shane Kerr of Geary became a two-time champ as did Mark Smith, the youngest of the Smith brothers. Of all the brother acts in the history of the tournament the Smith brothers are probably the most recognized. Lee Roy (Geary champ 1974, 1976) is head wrestling coach at Arizona State University; John (Geary champ 1981, 1982, 1983) is the head coach of Oklahoma State University where he coached Brother Pat (Geary champ 1987, 1989) who was a Four-Time NCAA Champion in 1994.

The 1994 tournament brought a total of 21 teams vying for the crown. A real team championship was captured by Midwest City as they failed to have a single champion but by placing 10 of the 13 wrestlers were able to out distance the field with 4 runners-up and take the gold over Broken Arrow who had two champions and Del City who also had two champions. Mark Smith of Del City became a three-time Geary champion as he defeated his opponent in the finals 19-7. Geary once again captured a coveted gold medal as Kevin Kurtz of Geary at 103 pounds defeated his opponent in the finals by a technical fall and also took the Outstanding Wrestler Award. Two of the seven Oklahoma 1994 Academic All-American Wrestlers competed in the Geary tournament and both of them were from Geary: Kevin Kurtz at 103 pounds and Josh Kiener at 152 pounds. Commanche captured their fist gold of the Geary Tournament as heavyweight Jason VanOven defeated his opponent in the finals 3-0.

Once again, in 1995, twenty-one teams were entered in the Geary Tournament vying for the coveted gold and first place team trophy. Midwest City reigned strong again with three champions and a total of nine placers as they outdistanced new-comer Choctaw by a score of 169 and one-half points to 124 and one-half points. Broken Arrow was third with 115 points. Jay Lowe of Mustang at 134 pounds became a two-time Geary champ as he edged out Kyle Guffey of Westmoore in the finals 4-3. Also Del City's Z. Williams at 185 pounds defeated Raymond Cato of Midwest City 13-9 to claim his two-time Geary champ status. In 1995 the Edmond team had entered the Geary Tournament a total of 50 times missing only in 1979 when only 9 teams were able to make it because of the horrible weather conditions. Weather again claimed one team entered as Ponca City could not make the trip to Geary due to snow-covered roads in the northern part of the State.

1996 brought nineteen extremely talented teams to the Geary Bison Field House all wanting to take the gold. A new-comer, Little Axe, was welcomed into the competition and managed to place one wrestler at 6th place, David Batten at 171 pounds. In their second appearance at Geary, Choctaw captured the team title by placing 13 of the 14 weights and outdistancing Midwest City by a score of 133 points to 122 and one-half points, followed by El Reno in third with 93 and one-half points.

Four wrestlers gained two-time champ status as Skylar Holman of Broken Arrow, Clint Henderson of Tuttle, Nate Flowers of Midwest City and Josh Cruzan of Choctaw won their finals match and took home a second gold from "Geary".

Skylar Holman of Broken Arrow and Chad Whitney of El Reno received the honor of being added to the "Three-Time Parade of Champions".

Six champions were added to the Two-Time Parade of Champions. Those taking home the honors were: Tanner Harris, Choctaw; Matt Bean, Mustang; Jeff Henning, Choctaw; Quentin Bell, Choctaw; Sean Wear, Choctaw; and Paul Coppinger of Del City.

Geary's best showing for 1996 was Charles Walker at 140 pounds who finished with a silver after losing to Champion Hamilton from Choctaw in the semi-finals and then fighting his way back through consolations to finally challenge for second and defeating that opponent by a score of 18-9. Walker also achieved the status of Academic All-American, making a total of three Academic All-Americans from Geary in three years. Matt Tolle at 103 pounds managed a fourth for Geary. Two former Geary wrestlers and Bison medal winners took home medals for the El Reno Indians. Kevin Kurtz at 135 pounds and Kraig Caldwell at 145 pounds each took a bronze for the Indians.

In 1997 seventeen teams made the trip to Geary to compete. As the tradition goes, there is a blind draw for position on the brackets and in the early going a rematch between the two 1996 finalists at 119 pounds met each other for a very exciting match at 125 pounds. Matt Holman of Choctaw defeated 1996 Geary Champion Clint Henderson of Tuttle and went on to become the 125 pound 1997 Geary Champion and also claimed the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award.

Two wrestlers became two-time Geary Champions. Chad Whitney of El Reno and David Marsh of Choctaw joined the elite group. Whitney had claimed his first title in 1996 for Mustang.

Choctaw once again won the tournament, with five champions and three runner-ups collecting 171 and one-half points for the Yellow Jackets. El Reno took second with 153 and one-half points with four champions and two runner-ups and 107 points.

The 54th Geary Invitational proved to be as exciting as ever with Choctaw trying to win the Championship title for the third time in succession with five in the finals. Broken Arrow had four in the finals. Choctaw placed all five of theirs with first place, only to be nudged out of the Championship spot by Broken Arrow with 141 points, who only had one first placer in the final round and by ten points. El Reno won the third place spot with 119 points.

Mustang's Matt Bean took home the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award while Jeff Henning of Tuttle took home the "Alan Long" Sportsmanship Award. Jason Powell of Choctaw and Paul Coppinger of Del City won the George Walker Gorradian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time.

In 1999 the weather kept its tradition with cold and icy conditions. Since only nine teams were able to make it, the coached voted to make the 55th Invitational a one day tournament. Never-the-less there was as much excitement as ever. Broken Arrow nudged Choctaw out for the second year in a row and won the championship trophy. Broken Arrow won with 158 and one-half points with three champion titles while Choctaw had 156 points with three champion titles also. Midwest City was third with two championship titles.

Midwest City's Aaron McConnell took home the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award. Matt Bean of Mustang took home the "Alan Long" Sportsmanship Award while Sean Wear of Choctaw won the George Walker Gorradian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time. Tanner Harris, Choctaw; Matt Bean, Mustang and Sean Wear, Choctaw were added to the "Three-Time Parade of Champions". The "Two-Time Parade of Champions" added Jason Powell of Choctaw to its list. J.J. Lewis and Tyrone Lewis were the sixth pair of brothers to win championship titles in the same year.

2000-2008

2000: The year 2000 welcomed the wrestlers with beautiful weather and the biggest and best tournament in many years. What a way to start the new millennium! Broken Arrow returned to defend their Championship Title for the third successive year. Eighteen teams in the state came to compete in the toughest competition of the year. Broken Arrow successfully defended their title and walked away with top honors, winning three championships at 103#, 135# and 275#. El Reno fought a hard battle to place second with Midwest City placing third.

Matt Grice of Harrah was named the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler for the year 2000, and the 2000 George Walker Gorrarian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time. The winner of the 2000 Alan Long Sportsmanship Award was Jimmy Lewis of El Reno. Mike Little of El Reno won his second Geary Invitational Tournament championship title.

On December 11, 2000 Mr. Bob Stegall, the founder of the Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament, was inducted in the national Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

2001: The year 2001 started out with an ice storm and snow, but the weather cleared off in time for the tournament. Twenty teams were in attendance.

For the fourth time in a row, Broken Arrow walked away with the Championship trophy with 159 points. Midwest City came in second with 148 1/2 points. El Reno went home with third place honors.

The winner of the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award was Karl Person of Lawton Mac. Luis Edmonds of Mustang received the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award and the George Walker Gorrarian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time was awarded to Chris Finn of Westmoore. Derrick Fleenor of El Reno, David West of Midwest City, Johny Hendricks of Edmond, and Brandon Tucker of Broken Arrow won their second Championship match at the Geary Tournament.

2002: In 2002 the weather held true to tradition. It was bitter cold but no snow.

We had a three generation wrestler in the tournament this year, Adam Kirk of Edmond Memorial. His father wrestled in the Geary Invitational Tournament and his grandfather, Jess Kirk of Perry, won the first in 1944 at 154# in the first Geary Invitational Tournament.

There were four wrestlers that claimed a three-time victory: 112# Brandon Tucker of Broken Arrow, 125# Derrick Fleenor of El Reno, 130# David West of Midwest City, and Johny Hendricks at 160# of Edmond Memorial. Two wrestlers won their second first place medals; 145# Kyle Shelton of Midwest City and HWT Chris Finn of Westmoore. Whit Gastineau lost his second chance for a gold medal to Johny Hendricks but placed second.

The winner of the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award was Johny Hendricks, Edmond Memorial. Jared Henning, Tuttle received the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award and the George Walker Gorrarian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time was awarded to Reggie Lee of Del City.

2003: Midwest City broke Broken Arrow’s record for the number of school champions. The 2003 Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament had its first ever 4-time champion. Brandon Tucker of Broken Arrow walked away with the honor. Chris Finn of Westmoore won this third championship title. Louis Edmonds of Mustang won his second championship. Shane Caruthers and Shawn Langley of Edmond Memorial, and Connor Sanders of Midwest City missed their chance for being a two-time champion by getting beat in the finals. Reggie Lee of Del City also lost early but fought back and laced second after challenging Nathan Fernandez of Lawton Mac.

El Reno walked away with the first place team trophy with 127 ½ points, Tuttle, the runner-up had 108 ½ points. Broken Arrow placed third with 105 ½ points.

The Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award was won by Brandon Tucker, of Broken Arrow. The Alan Long Sportsmanship Award was given to Brent Parkey of Madill. The George Walker Gorrarian Award was presented to Zach Rhodes of Norman North.

2004: Oh what beautiful weather we had for the 60^th Annual Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Jeff Sumner, Broken Arrow lost to Brain Shelton of El Reno, ruining his chances for a 2-time championship. Brandon Shelton, El Reno lost his chance for his second championship to Jeremy Compton, Norman North. Shawn Langley, Edmond, Ryan Henning, Tuttle and Reggie Lee were successful in winning their second championship.

El Reno walked away with their second first place team trophy with 179 points, breaking the record of most points ever scored in the Geary Invitational Tournament. In 1980, the Midwest City Bombers set the record by scoring 177 points. Broken Arrow walked away with the runner-up trophy with 121 ½ points. Choctaw earned third place with 103 ½ points.

Shane Vernon, Broken Arrow, won the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestling Award. Newly McSpadden, Vinita, was the winner of the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award. Michael Arthur, Locus Grove, had the most falls with the least amount of time and won the George Walker Gorrarian Award. A new award was added this year- the Harvey Base-Boyd Nelson winning coach award. Mitch Brown, assistant coach for El Reno, was the recipient of this award.

2005: Twenty-two teams participated in the 61^st Annual Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament in 2005, with Rio Rancho, New Mexico, coming for their first Geary Tournament. Rockwall, Texas also came back for their third year.

El Reno walked away with top honors for the third time in a row with 171 points. It was a nip-and-tuck between Rio Rancho, NM, and Broken Arrow for the second place.

Rio Rancho won second with 128 ½ points while Broken Arrow came in third with 128 points.

Joe Garcia at 130 pounds from Norman North was named the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler. Shane Vernon, Broken Arrow’s 157 pounds was named the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award winner. Dustin Finn of Westmoore walked away with the George Walker Gorrarian Award with the most falls during the tournament. Archie Randall and Mitch Brown were the winning coaches of the tournament and received the Harvey Base-Boyd Nelson Award.

J.R. Hagar, Broken Arrow; Brian Shelton, El Reno; Brice Wasserman, El Reno; Shane Vernon, Broken Arrow; Dustin Finn, Westmoore and Brandon Shelton, El Reno all won their second Geary Tournament.

2006: Twenty-one teams attended the 62^nd Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Brian Shelton of El Reno became the 29^th 3-time Geary champion. He was also voted the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament. Brian also won the George Walker Gorrarian Award for the most falls in the least amount of time. Sean Kyle of Edmond Memorial became a two-time Geary champion and was awarded the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award. Matt Bryan of Broken Arrow also became a two-time Geary champion. Jody Marple of Midwest City received the Winning Coach Award.

Midwest City walked away with the first place trophy with 152.5 points. El Reno won the second place trophy with 138.5 points. Third place went to the Westmoore with 85 points. Tulsa Union came in fourth and Broken Arrow fifth.

Van Shea Ivens’s with the Oklahoma High School Sports Express was in the Geary filming and interviewing various people at the tournament. The tournament was aired on UPN Channel 43 on January 15, 2006.

2007: Mother Nature cooperated with us again this year, sending us some pretty weather for the 63^rd Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament.

Twenty-two teams attended the 63^rd Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament making it one of the outstanding wrestling tournaments in the Nation.

Tyler Untrauer of Midwest City and Jamal Parks, and Seth Vernon joined the ranks of being named two time champions. Matt Bryan joined ranks of being a 3-time champion. Chris Hacker of El Reno was the winner of the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler Award. Chris Mc Neil of Lawton was awarded the Allan Long Sportsmanship Award. The winner of the Jr. Walker Gorrian Award with the most falls in the least amount of time was Justin Glenn of Enid.

Tulsa Union walked away with the first place trophy with 109.50 points. Catoosa won the second place trophy with 87.50 points, and Midwest City came in third with 81.00 points. Noble came in 4^th and El Reno was 5^th.

Van Shea Iven’s with the Oklahoma High School Sports Express was here again this year filming and interviewing various people. The Tournament was aired on Channel 43 on January 28, 2007.

2008: The 64^th Annual Geary Invitational Wrestling Tournament was a roaring success. The weather couldn’t have been better for an early January event. A total of 22 teams were in attendance including one of the top ranked teams from Colorado, Broomfield. It was a pleasure to host each and every school present.

The tournament drew 5 of the top 10 teams in 5A, the top 5 teams in 4A, and #2 and #3 in class 3A as well as aforementioned Broomfield, CO (#1 in 4A). Major interclass contests were the feature this year, such as, Gomez (Noble) vs. Mogg (El Reno), Gunter (MWC) vs. Rowell (Duncan), Partain (BA) vs. Willis (Lawton Mac), and Bryan (BA) vs. Dauphin (El Reno).

Broken Arrow rallied to win the crown this year dethroning the Tulsa Union Redskins and taking home the first place trophy. In addition, Coach Shawn Jones of BA received the Outstanding Coach Award. Broken Arrow’s 115.0 points proved too much to overcome for second place Catoosa at 104.5 points. Rounding out the field were Union (95.5), MWC (87.0), Del City (80.0), Norman North (75.0), El Reno (72.0), Broomfield (67.0), Norman (55.5), & Lawton Macarthur (48.0).

Geary fans and wrestling fans in general were thrilled to acknowledge for only the second time in tournament history a four time winner, Matt Bryan of Broken Arrow. This feat was previously accomplished by Broken Arrow alum, Brandon Tucker. Congratulations Matt for a truly enormous accomplishment. Casey Rowell (119 lbs) of Duncan also added his name to a short list of repeat winners of the Geary Invitational. Joey Sheridan of Tulsa Union received the Jr. Walker Gorrarian Award for most falls in the least amount of time, and of course Matt Bryan was awarded the Bob Stegall Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.

The Bison had a good showing in this year’s event. A major sub plot to the tournament was Geary’s own Michael Davis who finished second in the tournament (171 lbs) and received the Alan Long Sportsmanship Award. Mr. Long was able to attend the opening session of championship Saturday. Also, Geary’s Sophomore Cory Williamson placed 3^rd (130 lbs).

The Tournament highlights aired on the Oklahoma High School Express on January 20^th, 2008 thanks to Van Shea Iven’s efforts.