Matt Braaten Joins Coaching Staff

Matthew Braaten is entering his first year as Tiger’s freshman wrestling coach. In high school, Braaten was an All-Conference wrestler in 2000. He graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2008 with Bachelor’s in Physical Education. Currently, Braaten teaches Physical Education at Boone Elementary in the Center School District. He is also working on a Master’s degree at Webster University.

Head Coach Don Graham Begins 17th year

Don Graham enters his seventeenth year as a Lee’s Summit wrestling Coach. This marks his fifth year as head coach. Graham finished 3rd in state as a senior at Lee’s Summit High School, on a team that also collected a third place trophy in 1983. Coach Graham competed at the University of Missouri before a transfer to the University of Nebraska where he earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education in 1989. He has since earned his graduate degree from Central Missouri State University in Secondary School Administration. He is married to his wife Jennifer of fourteen years and they have two sons, Austin 8 and Thomas 4.

Rob Courier Enters 5th Year as Assistant

Robert Courier enters his fifth year as a LSHS wrestling coach. He has coached the Lee’s Summit Wrestling Club for eleven years- coaching Coach Sheets and Coach Hertzog as young wrestlers. Robert has been voted the Missouri USA Wrestling District Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2008. He was also Liberty Nationals Most Valuable Coach in 2005. Robert is currently the Coaches Coordinator for Missouri USA Wrestling and is on USA Wrestling’s National Coaches Council. He is married to his wife, Miki, of nineteen years and have two children, Ryan- 19 and Spencer-17.

Alumni Mark Hertzog Joins Coaching Staff

Mark Hertzog begins his inaugural year at his Alma Mater as the Tigers Junior Varsity Coach. The youngest of the Hertzog wrestling and football pipeline, Hertzog enjoyed great success while at Lee’s Summit High School. A three time state qualifier at 275lbs, Hertzog went on to 4th place finish as a junior. As a Senior after losing a close match in the semis to eventual undefeated champ Jeron Baston, Hertzog wrestled back to a 3rd place finish gaining valuable points for the Tigers overall 6th place finish. Both his junior and senior years he was the Tigers “Most Valuable Wrestler.” As a football player Coach Hertzog was equally impressive gaining 1st Team All State honors that ultimately led his selection to the Mo-Kan All Star game. Hertzog spent two years playing football at UCM. He is currently a junior at UCM majoring in Education.

Preseason Picks

Two Tiger wrestlers have caught the eye of MissouriWrestling.com ranking prognosticators. Senior Andrew Lattner is ranked 6th at 171# and Junior Spencer Courier is ranked 8th at 125# (both are returning state qualifiers). Anyone involved in this sport realizes that rankings are fleet and often not worth the paper they're written on. The Tigers' dedication and success during the off season, as evidenced by the record 7 Fargo Nationals quailifers, and the entire team's committment and work ethic this season will be proven out at state. Look for the rankers to have to shuffle their lists as the season unfolds and more Tigers make a name for themselves. Tom Brands, Iowa Hawkeye head coach, 3-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist, when asked about one of his young wrestlers chances against the #1 ranked wrestler in the nation, was famously quoted, "I've never seen two pieces of paper wrestle, so I guess we'll have to see what happens on the mat." His wrestler proceeded to destory that highly ranked opponent.

Alumni Jesse Sheets added to Coaching Staff

Jesse Sheets enters his first season as the Tigers varsity assistant. At Lee’s Summit High School, Sheets was chosen as the Most Valuable Wrestler his junior and senior years. As a senior he finished 2nd place in State at 171lbs for the Tigers. While competing at UCM Sheets was a two time NCAA qualifier. In 2006, Sheets became one of only four former Tigers wrestlers to gain All American status in college. Earning his degree in Industrial Technology at UCM in 2008, he is now teaching at Summit Lakes Middle School. Sheets is planning a May wedding with his fiancé, Amber Yoder. Yoder herself was an athlete at UCM, earning four letters for the Jenny’s volleyball team.

Fall Brawl Results

Congratulations to Josh Howard for his 6th place finish at the 2008 Fall Brawl held at the new Staley High School. brackets and results.

3rd Annual Wrestling Club Golf Tournament

On Sunday, October 19th, 2008, 24 of Lee's Summit wrestling's finest golfers descended on Shamrock Hills for the 3rd annual LSKWC wrestling golf outing. Participants included current high school coaches, Don Graham, Rob Courier and Jesse Sheets. Kids club coaches, Corey Hanson, Rick Drake and Tom Sennif. Current LSHS wrestlers Spencer Courier and Alex Swartz and former wrestlers Craig Bears and Brackon Lundy.

The weather was perfect. 2 time champ Craig Bears showed up wearing "the belt", determined to keep it. Team Sennif wrested control of the belt shooting an eye popping 8 under in the windy conditions. Prizes were awarded for closest to the pin, longest drive and longest putt. Winners included Jesse Sheets (longest drive) and Rick Drake (longest putt). A putting contest was held with the winner holing a 50' putt good for $50 cash!

Proceeds from the event in years past have gone to buy new team singlets. This years proceeds will be applied to buying new mats for the wrestling room and to help cover travel expenses for team trips. Many thanks to our sponsors, participants and to Shamrock Hills for making the event a wonderful experience. We are looking forward to next year and an even better turn out!

2008 Fargo Nationals Qualifiers

Top Row: Dylan Case, Justin Bruce, Andrew Lattner, Corey Lockwood
Bottom Row: Chris Lattner, Spencer Courier (All-American), Conner Williamson