The program's foundation

            Houston High School founded its wrestling program in 1990.  Over the past decade and a half, led by two different coaches and fueled by many different wrestlers, the program has developed a standard of excellence that remains to this day.  Bill Perry, then a football coach, started Houston High School’s wrestling program. Shortly thereafter, Todd Roaten became Houston’s first state medalist in 1992 with a sixth place finish in the heavyweight class. After that season the program was turned over to Coach Carl Pfeiffer who began to make great strides in Houston wrestling. Coach Pfeiffer also started the Houston Middle School program which was essential for the development of a good high school program.

Building a winning tradition

Jay LaCroix became the first Houston wrestler to win a regional championship at 135 pounds in 1994. The Black Horse Tournament was started in 1995 by Coach Pfeiffer who brought the tournament to Houston from Bishop Byrne High School when they discontinued their wrestling program. The Black Horse has grown into a very fine tournament which represents approximately 20-25 teams from three to four different states. In the tournament’s first season at Houston, Chip Gaither won the 160 pound weight class. After accruing a record of 109-59 at Houston, Coach Pfeiffer turned the reins of the Houston High School wrestling program over to Coach Walt Holmes in 1997. Meanwhile Coach Pfeiffer remained active in Houston wrestling by becoming the Houston Middle School coach. In the 1997-1998 season, Houston had ten regional finalists and won the regional tournament by a record-setting 103 points. Under Coach Holmes’ guidance, Houston wrestling has grown, winning the regional tournament in 1998, 2000, and 2001 and the 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 dual meet regionals. The year, 2001, was especially successful when Houston placed 4th in the state in dual meet competition and 10th in the individual state tournament. In 2005, Houston placed 10th in the individual state tournament and had its first state champion, Luke Borneman at 160 pounds. Again in 2006 Houston wrestling produced another state champion, Brandon Wright, at 152 pounds. Brandon repeated as state champion in 2007at 160 pounds while the team won the Regional X championship.

Houston wrestling today

Houston’s wrestling program has produced 17 state placers, 6 state finalists, 2 state champions, 1 repeat state champion, and 2 high school All-Americans. Today Houston wrestling remains strong with Coach Holmes in charge of the high school program while Coach Scott Nailen oversees the middle school and youth program.