bartlesville grapplers set to launch new coaching era
By Mike Tupa
Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville High begins a new wrestling era on Tuesday (Dec. 3) when new head coach Bryan Vashus scrambles his crew into action in a home dual meet at the Phillips Fieldhouse.
Although there will be some holes at a few weight classes, the Bruins will take that giant stride from preseason to the opening match.
One of the veterans is A.J. Kerr (138 pounds). Kerr turned in a strong performance (5-1) at last month’s Tulsa Union Open.
At 120 pounds, junior James Coleman “has been wrestling well,” Vashus said.
Vashus also is anxious to see the progress of senior Avery Hitchings at heavyweight. Hitchings excelled for the playoff-qualifying football team.
Senior Jeremy Wilson is penciled in at 144 pounds.
“I’m anxious to see how he’ll do,” Vashus said.
Kim Gray is a first-year wrestler that has MMA experience, he added.
Camden Dainty is tabbed to represent the team at 215 pounds and freshman Joshua Vashus is being groomed to contribute.
“We’re short in numbers,” said coach Vashus, due to multiple reasons including injuries.
“We’ve got some promising freshmen up and coming,” and have 50 athletes participating in the junior high ranks, the coach added.
Vashus is working from the grassroots up to build up the program, starting with his contact with local youth wrestling head coach Casey Evans.
Vashus works out with the sixth graders in the morning while assistant coach Cameron Kirk mentors the seventh-through-ninth graders.
Vashus also has established communication with Oklahoma Wesleyan University head coach Thomas Carr.
Vashus transferred to Bartlesville from Grand Valley High School in Colorado.
“It very much parallels what I did in Colorado,” he said. “There are a lot of good pieces in place here.”
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LIST OF CHAMPIONS
(Following is hopefully a complete list of Bartlesville/College/Sooner high schools’ boys wrestling state champions. Bartlesville opened its program in 1982. Prior to that the grapplers attended either Col-Hi or Sooner. Weight category is in parentheses.)
2018: Laif Jones (120)
2013: Michael Hamilton (152)
2012: Tim Hamilton (145)
2011: Tim Hamilton (140)
2010: Tim Hamilton (130)
1996: Wes Barnhart (152)
1995: Clint Eads (215)
1974: Ben Bolt (115)
1973: Ed Shaw (148)
1971: Lyle Taylor (130)
1968: Chuck Hetrick (130)
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PAWHUSKA
(Following is hopefully a complete list of Pawhuska boys state wrestling champions.)
2017: Levi Youngwolfe (126)
2012: Cameron Kirk (145)
2010: Cameron Kirk (135)
2010: Dax Perrier (160)
2006: Rick Reed (215)
2002: Colby Crawford (152)
2000: Colby Crawford (135)
1999: Bobby Harris (Hwt.)
1998: Bobby Harris (Hwt.)
1995: Chris Walker (119)
1994: Chris Walker (119)
1990: Mike Perrier (136)
1990: Justin Sellers (168)
1990: Beau Neher (178)
1989: Todd Smoot (115)
1988: Mark Stevens (115)
1987: Rick Holt (157)
1986: G.R. Carter (108)
1986: Rick Holt (148)
1975: Pat Pace (157)
1975: Shawn Wilson (123)
1974: Pat Pace (157)
1974: Shawn Wilson (123)
1973: Pat Pace (148)
1972: Roger Murnan (148)
1971: Les Carman (123)
1970: Les Carman (123)
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BARNSDALL
(Following is hopefully a complete list of Barnsdall boys state wrestling champions.)
2014: Caleb Hawes (195)
2013: Caleb Hawes (195)
2010: Kyle Jaquess (140)
2008: Matt Allen (130)
2005: Ross Walker (145)
2005: Adam Hibdon (171)
2004: Adam Hibdon (171)
1995: Dustin Hynes (160)
1994: Dustin Hynes (160)
Bartlesville's Tim Hamilton (2010-2012) and his brother Michael (2013) both won wrestling state championships for the Bruins.
Bartlesville's Wes Barnhart won a wrestling state championship for the Bruins in 1996.