Oklahoma high school wrestling lost a coaching legend last week, but Leonard “Shorty” Shelton had an even bigger impact off the mat in the small town of Perry.
Shelton led powerhouse Perry High School to 10 state championships and coached 41 individual gold medalists during a brief – though stunningly successful – 11-year stint as head coach (1970-79, 1995).
Before recapping his amazing career as a coach, I must first talk about the man that had such a positive impact on my life and so many just like me. While the records and awards are so very impressive, that was not the focus of the Celebration of Life for John Leonard “Shorty” Shelton that took place last Friday at the Perry High School Auditorium.
Shorty was remembered and stories were shared about a man that made a huge difference in the lives of so many people. His success in molding and shaping uncertain boys into confident young men was something that went far beyond the wrestling mat. Many shared about his influence and maybe Jim Hillis from the class of 1979, summed it up best when he commented, “If not for this man and his guidance, I would not have become the man that I am today. He is always with me.”
Even though he wasn’t tall in stature (which I assume is how he got his nickname), he was a man that everyone looked up to. Shorty was a man of integrity that everyone respected, admired and loved. In a conversation years ago, 2X state champion Rick Vasek commented about Shorty “I would run through a brick wall for that guy.”
Shorty, Coach Shelton, Mr. Shelton, whatever name the wrestlers and students used, he was simply the best! He cared deeply for his wrestlers and all his students, and we returned that affection. Quick with a smile and ready to share, as his daughter Leslie Fleming called them, “his corny jokes”, he would break out in a contagious laughter that filled the room.
“He was a coach that seldom, if ever, yelled at his wrestlers. He didn’t have to. He had our respect and as 3X state champion,” Jeff Robinett said. “You wanted to win because you didn’t want to disappoint him.”
Not sure what it was, his positive outlook, his personality, his interest in his students or a number of other things, but whatever it was, he had the IT factor that made everyone want to be around him.
Shorty was a very humble man who always gave credit for his success to his hard-working wrestlers and to his assistant coach Fred Waltermire and junior high coach, Terry Leonard. The best coaching duo ever was the team of Shorty and Fred. Add in junior high coach Terry Leonard and you have the greatest coaching staff a school could have.
During conditioning, Shorty and Fred were always pushing the wrestlers to work harder and a phrase heard quite often was “state champions do one more.” What a simple, but effective workout slogan and something that carried into our adult lives. If you want to be the best, you have to be willing to do the extra work.
Not only was Shorty liked by all his students, but opposing coaches, officials and pretty much anyone associated with wrestling respected Shorty. He was a class-act that did things right and was a great ambassador for the sport of wrestling.
Following the news of his passing, social media was filled with condolences and words of praise for Shorty. Just a few examples include Hall of Fame official Kenny Ritchie commenting “Shorty was an amazing coach but an even better man.” Hall of Fame coach Steve Dunlap posted “Great coach, greater man!” UCO head coach Todd Steidley stated “One of the best men I ever knew.” Amateur Wrestling News Editor Ron Good shared “A Perry Legend. Lived an awesome life,” and Duncan AD Bobby Cook posted “The best high school coach I’ve ever met.”
Shelton’s entire wrestling career from high school wrestler to coach to mentor was all spent in Perry.
Shelton went to country schools through the 8th grade, and didn’t start wrestling until he entered Perry High School in his freshman year. In 1955, coached by Hall of Fame coach John Divine, Shelton won a state title at 115 lbs., leading Perry to the state championship.
With all schools competing in one class, Perry placed 2nd to Ponca City at the Regional Tournament but the Maroons pushed five into the state finals, crowing four champions to win the state title. Shelton and Herb Karcher reversed regional finals losses to win their state titles, with Jim Litterell and Leon Hughes also winning titles and Vernon Skalenda adding a 2nd place finish as Perry won the title over 2nd place Blackwell.
In the finals, Shelton faced Blackwell’s Larry Noel, an opponent Shelton had never beaten, including losing to him in the regional finals, but used a reversal with 19 seconds left to pull off the upset and win the state title. Not only did his state title help Perry win the state championship, but it also earned him a full scholarship to wrestle at OU.
Shelton was a 2X national qualifier for OU and earned All-American honors with a 4th place finish in 1957. His All-American finish helped OU win the NCAA national championship that year and he was one of five wrestlers from Perry that were on that national championship team. Yes, five of the ten members of OU’s national championship team came from Perry! Danny Hodge won his third national title and was named OW for the 2nd time, Rex Edgar along with Shelton’s life-long friend Gordon “Goose” Roesler both placed 3rd, Shelton placed 4th, and Don Studebaker was a national qualifier.
Following graduation from OU, tragedy struck the Shelton family when Leonard’s best friend and beloved father passed away. Shelton took over the family farm and became a successful farmer and rancher, something he would continue to do the rest of his life. In the late 1960s, in addition to farming and ranching, he helped out with the junior and high school wrestling in Perry.
When Rex Edgar resigned in 1969, it was Leonard Shelton who was hired to head the Perry Wrestling program. Under Shelton, Perry earned a runner-up finish at the 1970 State Tournament. It was nothing but gold after that, as the Maroons won nine straight titles before Shelton stepped down following the 1979 State Tournament. Perry would go on to extend the state title streak to 11 titles in a row under Terry Leonard.
In Shelton’s first year, Perry placed 2nd to a stout Hobart team. Terry Henry captured a state title at 115 lbs., to become the first individual state champion coached by Shorty. Steve Randall followed, winning the 130 lb. title and was also named the OW of the tournament. The entire team qualified for state, with Mark Tovar placing 2nd, Todd Edmundson and Don Bourland placing 3rd and Jim Nelson, Dan Wilkerson, Rick Vasek, and Steve Lloyd adding 4th place finishes.
Perry won their first state title under Shorty in 1971 and it was a run-away! Perry scored 104 points to 2nd place Sulphur with 43. Competing in 12 weight classes, the Maroons pushed NINE wrestlers into the state finals and had 10 state placers to easily win the title. Steve Boothe, Dan Wilkerson, Steve Randall, and Dan Jackson won state titles, with Dewayne Baumgart, Bill Hughes, Todd Edmundson, Steve Lloyd and Don Bourland placing 2nd and Mark Tovar earning a 3rd place finish.
In 1972, Perry won the state title with four state champions and ten placers to once again more than double the points of 2nd place Hobart. State champions were Bill Busby, Bruce Randall, Steve Boothe, and Rick Vasek. Earning runner-up finishes were Earl Seat, and Bill Hughes, with Dan Beasley placing 3rd and Mark Tovar and Duane Groom in 4th.
When discussing the greatest team in Perry Wrestling history, most start with the 1973 team. They were undefeated in duals, including wins over Class 3A state champions Blackwell, and Class 4A state runner-up Norman (Norman was a heavy favorite to win it all and the dual win was huge!).
The 1973 team dominated the State Tournament, crowning SEVEN state champions with three other state placers out of out of the 12 weights. In 1999, the Daily Oklahoman named the ten most dominant teams in Oklahoma sports history. The 1956 OU football team was number one and the 1973 Perry Wrestling team was number five on the list.
State champions were Frank Atkinson, Bill Busby, Mark Tovar, Bruce Randall, Dan Beasley, Bill Hughes and Rick Vasek, who was named OW of the tournament. Steve Boothe placed 3rd and George Vester and Duane Groom finished 4th.
With the class of 1973 gone, most thought 1974 was a rebuilding year. In the “rebuilding year”, with only one returning starter, Shorty led Perry to their 4th straight state title, crowing SIX state champions, with three other state placers. The Maroons scored 96.5 points, with Skiatook, a distant 2nd, scoring 37.5 points. Bill Busby won this 3rd state title and was named OW. Other state champions were Jeff Robinett, Jay Hollingsworth, Ronnie Caine, Greg Davison and Terry Dexter. Randy Snyder was a state runner-up, with Brian Busby placing 3rd and Wade Brorsen placing 4th.
The teams of 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 combined to have 43 state qualifiers out of 48 spots, with 39 state placers, including 30 state finalists and 22 state champions.
In 1975, Shorty and the Maroons made it five in a row, with Cecil Beisel winning the first of his four state titles for Perry. Until the mid-1990s, it was believed that Beisel was Oklahoma’s first 4X state champion. In the 1990s, in a small world thing, it was discovered that Leonard Shelton from Ponca City (no relation to Shorty) was Oklahoma’s first 4X state champion, winning titles from 1937-1940.
In addition to Beisel, Jeff Robinett won a state title, with Jay Hollingsworth, Mark Kirk, and Eddie Moses earning runner-up finishes, Wade Brorsen placing 3rd, and Brian Busby and Terry Williams finishing 4th.
Just to show the dominance of Perry during the state title streak in the 70s, the 1975 title was the closest team race in the nine titles under Shorty, as Perry won by “only” 25 points that year.
The 1976 state championship team qualified all 12 wrestlers for State, crowning four state champions with two other placers to win by 33 points over 2nd place Catoosa. Jeff Robinett won his 3rd state title and was named OW, with Jay Hollingsworth, Brian Busby and Cecil Beisel also winning state titles. Mike Thompson placed 3rd and Jeff Groom added a 4th place finish.
In 1977, the streak reached seven in a row with Perry crowning two champions, with four other state placers to win state by 28 points over 2nd place Catoosa. Kyle Klinglesmith and Cecil Beisel won titles, with Darren Huff placing 2nd, Carlos Terronez placing 3rd, and Jeff Groom finishing 4th.
A powerful 1978 team crowned four state champions along with four other state placers to score 131 points and leave 2nd place Pauls Valley 47 points behind. Cecil Beisel won his 4th state title and was named OW. Other state champions were Darren Huff, Jeff Groom, and Ron Cook. Stuart Jeffery, Brad Thompson and Larry Beisel all finished 3rd with Jeff Womack placing 4th.
In 1979, Shorty’s final team of the 70s, made it nine titles in a row with a 28 point win over 2nd place Mustang. Darren Huff, Mike Guenther and Larry Beisel all won state titles, with Ron Cook placing 2nd, Leon Hughes, Jr. placing 3rd, and Stuart Jeffery placing 4th.
Nine state titles in a 10-year span and he wasn’t done yet!
Shorty stepped away from coaching after the 1979 season but remained as a teacher and also served as the Athletic Director. In 1994, Shelton’s good friend and assistant coach during the state title run in the 70s, Fred Waltermire led Perry to their 25th state championship and retired from coaching. With Scott Chenoweth serving as an assistant coach while still completing teaching requirements, Shelton returned to lead Perry to the 1995 state title.
The 1995 State Tournament was a battle a tight battle between Perry and Tuttle with Hinton not far behind. Perry only qualified five for state, but pushed four into the state finals, crowning two champions to win the title by eight points over Tuttle. Waymon May and Ryan Hartley won titles, with Shawn Warden and Daniel Allen placing 2nd.
Shorty retired following the 1995 state championship season but continued to support the Perry Wrestling program for many years. He was an invaluable resource ready to provide sage advice or a listening ear.
Listed below are just a few of the awards received by Shelton during his illustrious career.
- Inducted into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – 2001
- Inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame – 1995
- Runner-up for National Coach of the Year in 1979
- National District 5 Coach of the Year in 1972 and 1979
- Class 2A Coach of the Year – 8 times
- Selected as All-State Coach in 1977
The final numbers for Shorty as a coach are mind-boggling. He coached 11 years, winning 10 state titles and one runner-up finish. In those 11 years, he coached 113 state qualifiers, including 86 state placers and 41 individual state champions. More importantly he was a role model that had an ever-lasting positive influence on a legion of wrestlers and students. A Life Very Well Lived.
