THE KEVIN MCCLEARY BIO

  ▪ West York Wrestling's Kevin McCleary... graduated in 1973, and in my opinion, is the BEST wrestler out of the West York Wrestling stable NOT to win a PIAA State title.  There are names - John Bowser, Neil Bupp, Jeff Meckley, Mike Stambaugh and others who had the potential for the title... but, Kevin McCleary had all of the tools to capture a state trophy.  Kevin had speed, strength and a vast array of moves to go along with his tenacity and love for the sport.  Kevin McCleary is one of TWO West York Wrestlers to go undefeated in their varsity High School dual meet careers... the other Bulldog being Dr. Glenn Amsbaugh.  Kevin was also undefeated in three years of Junior High dual meet competition!  Kevin McCleary is one of five West York Wrestlers to win three YCIAA Sectional Wrestling Titles, and is an Easton Holiday Tournament Champion and Outstanding Wrestler Award recipient in '72.  Kevin was a captain of the '73 (13-1) West York Mat Team and a great student.  Kevin's West York Wrestling Teams were 40-2 during his three year campaign with one YCIAA title in 1971-72.


  Kevin McCleary... went on to F&M College, where he captured a 3rd place medal at the 1974 NCAA Division III National Championships @ Wilkes College... and, NCAA All-American status @ 150lbs.  Kevin was a freshman at F&M when he placed 3rd at the '74 NCAA DIII's!

  Kevin is currently Head Junior High Wrestling Coach at Dover, PA... and, a former Team Pennsylvania Greco-Roman Head Coach.  Kevin is also on the Icebreakers Wrestling Club coaching staff.  Kevin is married to the lovely Jane Hoover McCleary and they have a son, Shawn McCleary (an excellent wrestler and baseball player!) and a daughter, Kari McCleary.
Kevin was also on John Fritz's 2010 Keystone Wrestling Camp Staff at York College, in July.
Kevin is the son of Paul C. and Pat McCleary - and has a West York High School/Ursinus College Wrestling alumnus younger brother - K.C. McCleary.


  K.C. McCleary, Kevin's brother... graduated from West York in 1981 and earned a 3rd place finish at the 1980 YCIAA Sectionals.  K.C. graduated from Ursinus College in 1986 with a B.A. in English and received his Masters degree in Public Administration from Penn State University in 1993.  K.C. wrestled and lettered at Ursinus College under former West Chester State College wrestler and current Ursinus head coach Bill Racich, and was a 3-time Metro Conference place-winner (158lbs., 167lbs., 177lbs.).  K.C. McCleary is married to Martina, and they have three children - Lauren, Lydia and Michael.  K.C. is an Asst. Administrator at the York/Adams Tax Bureau.

  I asked my friend and ex-teammate @ West York, Kevin McCleary... to complete an interview for the West York Wrestling Alumni website.

Don Lehman
Don Lehman
Webmaster, Archivist & Owner of westyorkwrestlingalumni.com

1983 West York Wrestling Dual Meet vs. Central York

1983 - (L-R) WY Coaches John T. Toggas with son "Moc", John Sprenkle, Brian Kuntz
and standing in back is assistant coach, Kevin McCleary.   WY Coaching Page

THE KEVIN MCCLEARY INTERVIEW by Don Lehman
DL - Kevin, first... I appreciate you taking to the time for this interview.  I know you are currently coaching the Dover, PA Junior High Eagles Wrestling Team, in addition to being a member of the staff of Icebreakers Wrestling Club.  What are your goals for the upcoming years... any aspirations of becoming a head wrestling coach at the senior high level, again?
KM - *
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DL - Kevin, at what age when did you first lace up the wrestling shoes... and what influence did your father Paul C. McCleary have on you - as you entered this very tough and great sport of wrestling?
KM - *
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DL - You accomplished an unbelievable feat in both Junior High and Senior High Dual Meet competition while wrestling for West York.  In the three years of Junior High Dual Meet competition and the three years of Senior High competition - you went undefeated!  Your only blemish was a tie with York High's Mario Shockley during your senior year!  Take us back to that match with Shockley and what feelings did you experience during and after the tie?
KM - *
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DL - I can remember going to your house in our Junior High days with some other West York Wrestling team members - and seeing the mats in various rooms!  Then, we would stay overnight and your mom (Pat) made us a great breakfast, and, had the BEST orange juice.  It appeared that you had great family support, as I always saw your dad and mom, as well as your grandparents, at ALL matches.  How important was that family support for you during your career?
KM - *
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DL - What important teachings and techniques do you emphasize to today's young wrestlers... and, is there an age "too early" to start this great sport?
KM - *
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DL - Our Junior High Wrestling Coach was the late Whedon Myers, assisted by Herbert Yost.  After you are out of school, you come to realize that Coach Myers was a great coach and man... with a good sense of humor.  I clearly remember the "pick-pick-pick...chop-chop-chop" banter from the coaching corner.  What are some of your memories of Coach Whedon Myers and what did he mean to you during your early career?
KM - *
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DL - At West York High School, you were undefeated in dual meet competition (one of only two WY Wrestlers), won three YCIAA Sectional Championships, an Easton Holiday title and Outstanding Wrestler Award... and, your West York teams were 40-2 in the three years you lettered.  But, I'm pretty sure I can say you didn't accomplish your goals and the end was bitter.  Do you still think about that last match with Mark Stauffer (4-1 loss) of Lower Dauphin HS at the District III '73 Tourney that ended up being your last high school match?
KM - *
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DL - I still maintain to anyone I speak to, including Coach JT Toggas, that you were the best West York Wrestler to not win a PIAA State title!  You had quick... powerful moves, speed and surprising strength to go along with your vast repertoire of moves.  What did you do in the off-season to prepare for the regular season and who were the workout partners that come to mind when you think about the practice days in that hot back-gym practice room?
KM - *
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DL - During our three years of varsity competition (from the '70-'71 season to the '72-'73 season) West York Wrestling's team dual meet record was 40-2.  The only two team losses during those three seasons were at the hands of Coach Bill Bence's (along with asst. coach Albert Owens) tough Dallastown Wildcats.  But, we did beat the Wildcats in the '71-'72 season to claim the YCIAA title.  You secured a fall in that match over Dave Debus in 2:54 to help secure the win.  What are a couple of memories from that '71-'72 season and particularly that November 18, 1971 match with Dallastown High School?
KM - *
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DL - We had a couple of excellent coaches ourselves when we got to the West York Senior High level.  What memories comes to mind when you think of National Hall of Fame Coach John T. Toggas and First Assistant Coach Robert Bowers... when recollecting that time of your life?
KM - *
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DL - You have seen a lot of West York Wrestling... as you have coached at West York High School, coached against West York High School/West York Junior High and worked out with some of the best during your years on the mat.  What names come to mind when you think of some tough, talented wrestlers from your many years with West York?
KM - *
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DL - Your brother, K.C. McCleary wrestled for West York and Ursinus College.  Did you spend a lot of time with K.C. working out on the home mats with your father, Paul?
KM - *
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DL - You went on to wrestle for F&M College.  I can still remember a couple buses bringing West York fans to the campus of East Stroudsburg State College in the Pocono's - on November 14, 1973, to watch a dual meet between F&M and East Stroudsburg State.  You were weighed in at (158lbs.) - and your ESSC opponent was none other than West York '69 graduate and PIAA State Champ - Bill Luckenbaugh!  Also seated on the East Stroudsburg Wrestling Team per the other side of the mat from you included your ex-teammates, Keith Lichty, Mike Stambaugh and Don Lehman.  What a night!  East Stroudsburg State came out on top 24-18 on that Tuesday night, with Lichty and Lehman dropping close decisions, but Stambaugh and Luckenbaugh posting wins... Lucky's win was a 4:55 fall over K. McCleary!  What was it like to wrestle the West York and East Stroudsburg legend, Bill Luckenbaugh?
KM - *
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DL - Kevin, you placed 3rd at the 1974 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships @ Wilkes College to gain All-American status as a freshman. What are some of your stand-out memories from that '74 NCAA DIII tourney... and your time spent at F&M?
KM - *
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DL - What type of wrestling is your favorite... Folkstyle, Freestyle or Greco-Roman and why?
KM - *
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DL - Kevin, if you had to pick a signature move from your wrestling days at West York and F&M... what was the move or series of moves?  Do you still coach the move or moves these days?
KM - *
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DL - While watching a past West York Junior High vs. Dover Junior High dual meet - I couldn't help but notice that your team looks very disciplined and sharp on the sidelines.  Is discipline important to you when coaching, and what are some other important life teachings that you stress?
KM - *
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DL - Kevin, your son Shawn McCleary was an excellent wrestler and baseball player for Dover High School, and I know that he went on to play baseball at the University of Virginia.  What is Shawn up to these days?
KM - *
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DL - Kevin, I want to thank you for sharing some good memories with me and the westyorkwrestlingalumni.com website readers.
KM - *
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∙ You can e-mail Kevin McCleary HERE! & Don Lehman HERE!

WEST YORK VARSITY WRESTLING

∙ 1972 - West York's Kevin McCleary (left) controls his Susquehannock opponent 
at a home dual meet.  YCIAA Official * Bill Billet calls both wrestlers out of bounds!

Note: * William "Bill" Billet (York High '52) was one of York High's most accomplished wrestlers!  Billet lost just two matches during his final two years at York High.  Billet won the
'51 95lb. PA District III title as a junior and the '52 112lb. PA District III title as a senior.  Billet was a PIAA '51 SE Regional runner-up and a PIAA '52 SE Regional Champion!  He lost in  the 1952 PIAA State semi-finals.  Look at the - 1951 & 1952 SE Regional Wrestling Results - w/York High's Bill Billet.

WEST YORK VARSITY WRESTLING

1971-72 West York Varsity Wrestling (14-0)
Front Row (L-R) Steve Thomas, Paul Mulay, Skip Martin, Keith Lichty,
Kevin McCleary, Neil Bupp.
Back Row  (L-R) Coach JT Toggas, Jim Haas, Barry Albright, Scott Callahan,
Barry King, Mike Stambaugh, Don Lehman.
▪ 1971-72 YCIAA League Wrestling Champions (14-0).
▪ 1972 YCIAA Sectional Wrestling Team Champions.
▪ 1971 Easton Holiday Tourney Wrestling Team Champions.

WEST YORK VARSITY WRESTLING

1972-73 West York Varsity Wrestling (13-1)
▪ Front Row (L-R) Greg Henry, Steve Thomas, Scott Hursh, Skip Martin,
Keith Lichty, Jeff Meckley.
▪ Back Row (L-R) Alan Eisenhart, Steve Blevins, *Kevin McCleary, Barry King,
Michael Root, *Don Lehman.
*K. McCleary and D. Lehman were named West York Outstanding Wrestlers in 1973.


1972 Easton "Pat Reilly" Holiday Champions

∙ 1972 Easton Area Holiday Tourney Champions
Front (L-R)  Greg Shoemaker, Easton; Greg Duke, Manheim Township; Garth Springer, Manheim Township; Rich Rodriguez, Saucon Valley; Curt Stanley, Easton; Len Kaminski, Hanover Area.
Back (L-R)  Russ Snyder, Easton; Fred Landis, Manheim Township; Kevin McCleary, West York (ow); Wayne Horton, Beth. Freedom; Lee Guzzo, Easton; Don Lehman, West York (ow).

▪ Look at... THE EASTON HOLIDAY WRESTLING CHAMPIONS PAGE
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CLICK TO SEE THE...
▪ 1972-73 West York High School Athletic Varsity Club (Kevin Mac - in front of photo!)
▪ 1983 West York Wrestling Staff Photo (Toggas, Sprenkle, Kuntz, McCleary)

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3/31/73 - Poland vs. USA-PA Freestyle Wrestling Team
   
Poland National 6.5 pts. USA-PA 5.5 pts.
March 31, 1973 (7:00pm) @ West York Area High School.
OLYMPIC FREESTYLE MATCH RULES
105lbs.  John Malles, USA dec. Zenon Witte, POL 5-4
114lbs.  Tomasz Krawczak, POL dec. Don Carr, USA 5-3
123lbs.  Stanislow Malkiewicz, POL pinned Rick Tonkin, USA 1:32
132lbs.  Marek Bujowski, POL dec. Keith Lichty, USA 3-0
143lbs.  Kevin McCleary, USA dec. Stefan Radon, POL 5-1
154lbs.  Bill Rawding, USA dec. Zbigniew Zurawski, POL 4-0
165lbs.  Keith Kreider, USA dec. Leszek Radon, POL 3-2
178lbs.  Bronislaw Pniewski, POL won by default vs. Wayne Horton, USA
191lbs.  John Weston, USA tied with Jerzy Kachniarz, POL 1-1
Hwt.       Don Lehman, USA dec. Krzysztof Dybinski, POL 4-0
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The USA-PA Freestyle Coaches:  Stan Zeamer & Dave Steiler.
∙ Host:  Raymond Troxell, Superintendent of West York Area Schools.
∙ Officials:  Thomas Tisone, Richard Charles, Richard Glossner & William "Bill" Billet.
∙ 3/31/73 USA-PA vs. POL Meet Announcers:  Whedon Myers & Ignacy Swiecicki.
∙ USA-PA vs. Poland National Meet Organizer - Paul C. McCleary.
West York Wrestlers:  K. Lichty, K. McCleary, D. Lehman.
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CLICK TO SEE THE...
∙ 1970-71 West York Varsity Wrestling Team Photo

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1981 Nebraska Wrestling Tourney Trip

1981 Nebraska Wrestling Tourney Trip
(L-R) Bill Webb, Kevin McCleary, Herb Webb, K.C. McCleary, John T. Toggas,
Kevin Hannigan, Paul C. McCleary, Brendt Gladfelter.

▪ SPORTS ARCHIVES
November 15, 1973
Former West Yorkers Pace East Stroudsburg Over F&M!
"West Yorker's Luckenbaugh - McCleary Grapple at 158lbs."
from: York Dispatch Sports - @ East Stroudsburg State College: 11/14/73 
Five former West York High School grapplers were in action in East Stroudsburg State College's 24-18 victory over Franklin & Marshall College Tuesday night.  Senior Bill Luckenbaugh gained his third pin in four matches this season and his 32nd in his college career over F&M freshman, Kevin McCleary at the 4:55 mark in the 158lb. class.  McCleary and Luckenbaugh are both West York products.  Luckenbaugh is now 40-4-1 (dual meets) at ESSC.  Sophomore Mike Stambaugh, a former West Yorker wrestler at 177lbs., upped his career record to 11-2 and remained undefeated with a 3-1 decision over F&M's Jeff Windstein for his fourth victory.  West York Bulldog grads who met defeat were freshman Keith Lichty, a 5-4 loss at 126lbs., and freshman ESSC heavyweight Don Lehman, who lost a 6-3 verdict to F&M's Jim Devenney in the last match of the night at Koehler's Fieldhouse.

WEST YORK JUNIOR HIGH WRESTLING '69 - '70

∙ 1969-70 West York Junior High Wrestling Photo
 (L-R) Barry Albright, *▪ Kevin McCleary, Keith Lichty, Rick Albright & * Don Lehman.
* Kevin McCleary and * Don Lehman were 9-0 per the '69-70 WYJH mat season.
▪ Kevin McCleary was undefeated during his 3-year West York Junior High campaign!
(The WYJH Mat Coaches were - Whedon Myers and Herbert Yost) - larger photo

▪ Kevin McCleary is on the 1st Team of...
WEST YORK WRESTLING ALL-TIME DREAM

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westyorkwrestlingalumni.com's
Other Archived Q & A Interviews by Don Lehman:
Billy Randt, Rod Stough, Jeff Wolfe, Keith "KRW" Warehime, Randy Blasdell,
David Maday & Jason Abel Turnbull, Mary Jane & John T. Toggas, Jon Trenge,
Wilmer Pressel, Dr. Bill Welker, Mike Stambaugh, Todd Reynolds, Gary Narber,
Fred & Matt Callahan, K.C. McCleary, Brian Kuntz, Dr. Perry Tallman, Charlie Jacobs,
Coach Brian Gross, Skip Martin, Justin Wilkins.