The 2016 Annual Baseball game served for a 30 year reunion for the 1986 State Champs

MHS - Baseball / March 19, 2016 By Kasey McDowell


They weren't the 1927 Yankees, the 1985 Royals, or the 1976 Reds, but for Mulvane, the 1986 High School Baseball team defines the gold standard for what every team has been striving for the past 30 years. After starting the 1986 season off with 3 straight losses, the Wildcats and Coach Katzenmeier figured out a formula that would take them on a 22 game wining streak, including the one and only state championship for Mulvane since baseball was introduced as a high school sport in 1982.  The roster included Dan LeClair, Mike Snow, Mike Shook, Curtis Hicks, Wes Moore, Mike Stump, Jarrod Young, Brian Cusick, Jeff Burris, Kris Withrow, Jeff Belden, Kyle Steadman, Shay Cornejo, Jerrod Sorensen, Morgan LeClair, Reese Brown, and Rob Whitmer. 

Coach Katz was only in his second season as the skipper and already built up a 39-9 record, two league titles, two regional championships, and a state title after the conclusion of the 1986 season.  After an 0-3 start, the Cats rallied around ace pitcher Morgan LeClair to win the first game of the year against Nickerson. It was smooth sailing from then on for Katz and the Wildcats as they amassed an impressive 22 wins and outscored their opponents 185-60. The Cats blanked every opponent in the state tournament 10-0, 9-0, and 8-0 against Augusta, Baxter Springs, and Rossville respectively.

The Wildcats top hitters of the year in terms of Batting Average were Danny LeClair (.519), Mike Snow (.437), Mike Shook (.393), Curtis Hicks (.385), and Wes Moore (.380). The bullpen was deep and talented for the Wildcats with Morgan LeClair (5-0-8), Curtis Hicks (6-0-3), Brian Cusick (6-1-1), and Jerrod Sorensen (4-1-0). Of course there were many All League selections with Mike Stump (1B), Wes Moore (2B), Mike Snow (OF), Curtis Hicks (Util), Danny LeClair (DH), and Morgan LeClair (P) all getting 1st Team nods. Jeff Belden (C), Mike Shook (OF), Brian Cusick (P), and Curtis Hicks (P) getting 2nd Team All League nods. Coach Katz was selected for CTL Coach of the Year.    

Current Head Baseball Coach Daniel Myears wanted to honor the 1986 team this year at the annual Alumni scrimmage.  Some younger alumni players joined the 86 squad to scrimmage the 2016 varsity baseball team at Floyd Carver Field. The scrimmage was followed by a luncheon at the high school commons where Coach Myears and Coach Nelson (who was the bat boy for the team during the 1986 season) gave speeches about the memories of the team and how they strive for their team and themselves to emulate what the 1986 squad was able to accomplish.

The memories, camaraderie, and of course the State Title of the 1986 team will forever be engrained in the hearts and minds of the high school and the town of Mulvane. It was a great experience to catch up and hear the stories from Coach Katz and the players. Thank you for all who was able to make it.

1986 Baseball Alumni Page

Alumni Baseball Game Photo Gallery



Article Sponsored By

Article Sponsored By


Latest Wildcats Sports News
Track Kicks Off Season at Home Meet
MHS - Track & Field / March 24, 2024
Cats go 2-2 In Early Tournament
MHS - Softball / March 24, 2024
Soccer Girls Split in Opening Week
MHS - Women's Soccer / March 23, 2024
Baseball Opens Season With a Split
MHS - Baseball / March 15, 2024
9 Wrestlers Earn All-League Honors
MHS - Wrestling / March 12, 2024