5A Coach of the Year - 2008

Mike Pewthers
Liberal

Coach Pewthers' Liberal Redskins wrestling team showed major improvements throughout the season.  LHS was 19-4 in duals, placed third or better at 7 of the 8  tournaments, finished 2nd at the Regional Tournament, and earned a 3rd place trophy at the 5A State Wrestling Tournament.

Coach Pewthers began as an assistant Jr. High coach in Perry, Oklahoma in 1986, then served as Head Jr, High/Middle School coach at West Middle School in Liberal, moved to an Assistant High School coach at LHS from 1993-2002, and in 2003 Pewthers became the Head Wrestling Coach at LHS.  For his career he is 80-71 in duals; his teams have won three league championships and earned seven tournament championships.  He has coached six Academic All State wrestlers, 44 state qualifiers, developed 13 state placers, and one 2-time undefeated state champion.  Coach has also been named League Coach of the Year two times.

Coach Pewthers is a Biology and Anatomy & Physiology teacher at Liberal High School.  In 1986 he graduated from Oklahoma State University where he wrestled for four years.  He has served 17 years as a trustee at Fellowship Baptist Church in Liberal, Kansas.