12/21/2025
Stucker Stories written by Hall of Fame Coach Mike Henry
COULD IT HAPPEN AGAIN ?
As the 1988-89 season got underway, the list of accomplishments of Shawnee's wrestling program had grown to an impressive array of successes. Championships on the state and national levels by individuals and teams had propelled the Wolves into an elite standing from wrestling-rich Oklahoma. But there was one that they had yet to accomplish - winning back to back state titles.
The list of schools that had achieved that lofty pinnacle were few and far between. But as workouts got underway for the new season, everyone knew what was possible, they just did what their predecessors had always done. They didn't talk about it.
" We all knew what was possible so there was no need to discuss it, " recalled coach Mike Henry. " We also realized that talk can become a distraction so we all went about doing our jobs."
One thing was still being talked about just as it had for the previous decade. It was the continuing problem with the lack of an adequate practice facility and there was no reason to believe that it would be remedied anytime soon as in October 1988, the school board hired their latest superintendent, Jim Archer. The 51-year-old had previously been in charge of two small school systems - Vici in western Oklahoma and Madill located in the southern part of the state. Shawnee's new school chief was offbeat to say the least.
On Friday nights, he could be found at a Wolves football game although not in the bleachers of Jim Thorpe Stadium with the other spectators but instead, he preferred sitting in a lawn chair on the field behind the north end zone. He and Henry had yet to meet, but that encounter would have to wait because, in October, the defending state champion Wolves packed up their gear and headed to The Dungeon to begin preparing for another season.
With the heavy number of new faces in the lineup due to the Class of 1988's graduation departures, followers of the program were curious as to what they would see when SHS took to the mats. Of the 13 starters, only four had been regulars on the 1988 State Championship team. As always, Henry did not hesitate to experiment with various lineups during the year in order to seek the best combination for February's stretch run.
December was busy as Shawnee compiled a 6-1 dual meet record. Their lone loss was a 24-21 nailbiter to the Class 5A's top ranked Edmond Bulldogs. However, the highlight of the evening was Brian Janney's thrilling 9-7 win over Wade Rogers who went on a few years later to become a two-time NCAA qualifier for Seton Hall University.
Prior to the holiday break, the Wolves made their first-ever appearance at the Tulsa Union Tournament. It had just 9 teams but the challenging field of competitors included Ponca City ( #4 in 5A), Del City ( #3 in 5A), Union ( #6 in 5A), Coweta ( #7 in 4A), and Wagoner ( #8 in 3A). The Wolves finished third behind Ponca and Del City but, as had been their usual routine, the coaches used their December meet as a tune-up. Senior co-captains Richard Wilsie (168) and Darrien Gordon (178) opened their final campaigns with individual titles.
As December concluded, the Tulsa World's top teams of their Class 4A rankings had Tulsa Webster number one, followed by Shawnee with Bixby in third. But back in Pottawatomie County, everyone at the Mat Rat Cafe understood that the big prizes are always passed out in February. Until then, it was time to spend the holidays with their families as January's rugged portion of the schedule was just a few days away.
Below: Even Santa learned a thing or two in The Dungeon. Merry Christmas to all. See you next year.
