Savanna High School “Indians”

“New” Savanna High School

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Description automatically generated with low confidence The History of Savanna High School

Savanna, Illinois (population 3,542) is located along the Mississippi River and on US Rt. 52 and Ill. Rts 64 and 84 in Carroll County in Northwest Illinois. It is home to the Mississippi Palisades Park and the only stoplight in Carroll County. It was also home to the Savanna Army Depot, which employed most of the workers in Carroll County. It opened in 1917 and closed in 2000 and caused a lot of economic troubles around the area.

Savanna High School opened in the mid-1890s, which was the first high school opened in western Carroll County. A 1957 fire consumed the building that is pictured above and a new building was built on the northeast side of town, which is pictured below the first one. For many years, academically and athletically, Savanna High School prospered as one of the most advanced schools in the county.

Savanna High School Building

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1902-1952

During the early 2000s as mentioned there were a lot of economic troubles in this area of Carroll County. In turn, the schools in the area were strapped for funds as well. Savanna and fellow schools Thomson and Mount Carroll started co-oping their sports programs (except for Boys and Girls Basketball) in 2004. Finally, a consolidation effort was successful in 2005 with the three schools. Savanna High School is in use as West Carroll High School.

Savanna High School “Quick Facts”:

Year opened: mid-1890s

Year newer school built: 1957

Year Closed: 2005

School Colors: Red & White (black trim)

School Mascot: the “Indians”

School Song: “Savanna Loyalty”

Sung to Illinois Loyalty

Lyrics Submitted by Jean Ferris

We’re loyal to you, Savanna High

We’re red and we’re white, Savanna High

We’ll back you to stand ‘gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand, Savanna High!

Rah! Rah!

So take what you want, Savanna High

The game’s what we want, Savanna High

Our team is our school protector

On boys, for we expect a victory from you, Savanna High

Cha-he! Cha-Ha! Cha-ha-ha-ha! (Clap, clap, clap, clap)

SAVANNA! SAVANNA! SAVANNA!

Bring out that dear old flag of red and of white

Lead all our sons and daughters into the fight

Like men of old reliance, shouting defiance

Oskee-Wow-Wow

Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land

For honest labor and for learning we stand

Unto thee we pledge our heart and hand,

Our Alma Mater, Savanna High!

Athletics

Savanna High School has always had a rich tradition of high school athletics. Their teams have been at times really good, and there have been some downtimes here and there. However, the support of their athletic programs has always been excellent. The last three conferences Savanna competed in were the Ill-Iowa Conference, the TRAC-8 Conference and later, and finally, the Northwest Upstate Illini.

Savanna High School Gymnasium

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Wrestling

WRESTLING WAS KING IN SAVANNA!!!!

The most storied program in Savanna High School and even in the state of Illinois has been their Wrestling program. Take a glance at this … 6 STATE TITLES!! The wrestling program has always been a strong one and just take a look at these seasonal records posted by teams since 1941 and the dominance posted in the late 1970s and early 1980s:

1941-42 2-5-1 Coach L.M. Gundlach

1956-57 1-8 Coach Robert Lueders

1957-58 10-4 Coach Robert Lueders

1958-59 10-4 Coach Robert Lueders

1959-60 15-2 Coach Robert Lueders

1960-61 15-1 District Champions
Sectional Champions Coach Robert Lueders

1961-62 13-4-1 State THIRD PLACERS Coach Robert Lueders

1962-63 15-4 Coach Robert Lueders

1963-64 14-3 Coach Donald Robinson

1964-65 9-3-1 District Champions Coach Charles Anderson

1965-66 3-13 Coach Charles Anderson

1966-67 6-10-1 Coach Charles Anderson

1967-68  3-13     State FOURTH PLACERS        Coach Charles Anderson
1968-69  5-9       State SIXTH PLACERS           Coach Charles Anderson
1969-70  8-8-1    Sectional Champions             Coach Charles Anderson

1970-71 6-8-1 Coach Charles Anderson

1971-72 7-10 Coach Charles Anderson

1972-73 6-12 District Champions Coach Charles Anderson

1973-74 8-15 STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1974-75 11-13 District Champions
Sectional Champions
STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1975-76 20-1-1 District Champions
State FIFTH PLACERS Coach Charles Anderson

1976-77 20-5 STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1977-78 20-4 Sectional Champions
State THIRD PLACERS Coach Charles Anderson

1978-79 14-6 District Champions
STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1979-80 22-1 District Champions
Sectional Champions
STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1980-81 23-0 Undefeated Record
State SEVENTH PLACERS Coach Charles Anderson

1981-82 19-1 District Champions
Sectional Champions
STATE CHAMPIONS! Coach Charles Anderson

1982-83 16-6 State THIRD PLACERS Coach Charles Anderson

1983-84  13-11    Regional Champions              Coach Charles Anderson
1984-85  13-10-1 Regional Champions              Coach Charles Anderson
1985-86  20-5      Regional Champions              Coach Charles Anderson
1986-87  7-16      Regional Champions              Coach Charles Anderson
1987-88  10-14    Regional Champions              Coach Charles Anderson

1995-96  15-8                                                     Coach Phil Sexton

1996-97 16-7 Coach Phil Sexton

2002-03 N.R.A. Regional Champions Coaches name unavailable

Savanna’s State Wrestling Tournament appearances at a glance:

From 1974 on, Savanna wrestled in Class A. Up until 1983, the state Wrestling championship was decided through efforts from individual wrestlers.

1962 Team Standings:

1. Burbank Reavis 62

2. Waukegan 36

3. Savanna 34

4. Moline 29

5. Evanston 28

6. LaGrange Lyons 18

7. Palatine 16

Granite City 16

9. Park Forest Rich East 15

Berwyn Morton West 15

Winnetka New Trier 15

Maywood Proviso East) 15

1968 Team Standings:

1. DeKalb 27

2. Franklin Park East Leyden 26

3. Decatur Stephen Decatur 23

4. Savanna 19

5. Sterling 18

6. Normal U-High 17

7. Deerfield 16

New Lenox Lincoln-Way 16

9 North Chicago 15

Barrington 15

1969 Team Standings:

1. Moline 33

2. North Chicago 32

3. Maywood Proviso East 28

4. Decatur 24

Northlake West Leyden 24

6. Savanna 23

7. Burbank Reavis 20

8. Franklin Park East Leyden 17

Fox Lake Grant 17

Tinley Park 17

1974 Team Standings:

1. SAVANNA 36 1/2

2. Yorkville 35

3. Stillman Valley 32

4. Harvard 31

5. Port Byron Riverdale 30 1/2

6. Normal U-High 26 1/2

7. Erie 24 1/2

8. St. Jacob Triad 15

9. Minooka 14

10. Carrollton 12

Fithian Oakwood 12

Dakota 12

1975 Team Stanings:

1. SAVANNA 51 1/2

2. Normal U-High 44 1/2

3. Maple Park Kaneland 26 1/2

4. Georgetown 26

5. Yorkville 25 1/2

6. Stillman Valley 24

7. Port Byron Riverdale 14 1/2

8. Fulton 12 1/2

9. Kankakee McNamara 11

10. Mahomet-Seymour 10

Sterling Newman 10

Palos Heights Chicago Christian 10

Tolono Unity 10

1976 Team Standings:

1. Yorkville 90

2. Port Byron Riverdale 55

3. Normal U-High 43

4. Minooka 28 1/2

5. Savanna 27

6. Stockton 22 1/2

7. Maple Park Kaneland 20

8. Sterling Newman 14

9. Delavan 13 1/2

10. Bismarck-Henning 13

1977 Team Standings:

1. SAVANNA 64

2. Yorkville 59

3. New Lenox Providence 42 1/2

Normal U-High 42 1/2

5. Wilmington 40

6. Sterling Newman 34

Stillman Valley 34

8. Port Byron Riverdale 30 1/2

9. Delavan 30

10. Dakota 23

1978 Team Standings:

1. New Lenox Providence 56 1/2

2. Yorkville 53 1/2

3. Savanna 48

4. Mt. Pulaski 47

5. Sterling Newman 41

6. Stockton 35 1/2

7. Harvard 34

Stillman Valley 34

9. Delavan 30

10. Mahomet-Seymour 29 1/2

1979 Team Standings:

1. SAVANNA 75 1/2

2. Port Byron Riverdale 59

3. Yorkville 53

4. Byron 40

5. Hoopeston-East Lynn 39 1/2

Mahomet-Seymour 39 1/2

7. Dakota 39

8. New Lenox Providence 33

9. Wilmington 31 1/2

10. Fisher 29

1980 Team Standings:

1. SAVANNA 101 1/2

2. New Lenox Providence 59 1/2

3. Mahomet-Seymour 41 1/2

4. Erie 40

5. Fairbury-Cropsey 32 1/2

6. Dakota 32

7. Princeton 29

8. Yorkville 28

9. London Mills Spoon River Valley 26

10. Westville 24

1981 Team Standings:

1. New Lenox Providence 88

2. Coal City 53

3. Mahomet-Seymour 48

4. Dakota 46 1/2

5. Glasford Illini Bluffs 38

6. Stillman Valley 37

7. Savanna 36

8. Harvard 32

Port Byron Riverdale 32

10. Ashton 31

1982 Team Standings:

1. SAVANNA 83

2. New Lenox Providence 69

3. Glasford Illini Bluffs 56

4. Mahomet-Seymour 45 1/2

5. Stillman Valley 43

6. Dakota 42

7. Erie 39 1/2

8. Polo 37

Maple Park Kaneland 37

10. Pontiac 35

1983 Team Standings:

1. Mahomet-Seymour 62 1/2

Harvard 62 1/2

3. Savanna 60

4. Pontiac 48

5. Minooka 42

6. Kankakee McNamara 41

7. Coal City 33

8. Fairfield 28

Eureka 28

10. Aurora Waubonsie Valley 24

Individual State Champions

Check out this alphabetical-ordered list of all Savanna High School state wrestling placers! Ninteen State Championships! Fifty-one athletes for 66 state places!

Jeff Acuff 1977A 132 Fourth Place

Brad Anderson 1980A 98 STATE CHAMPION

Brad Anderson 1982A 119 Fourth Place

Dan Anderson 1980A 112 Fourth Place

Dan Anderson 1981A 119 STATE CHAMPION

Mark Anderson 1988A 132 Fourth Place

Robbie Bearce 1977A 105 Second Place

Robbie Bearce 1978A 105 Second Place

Ron Brown 1965 112 Fourth Place

Jeremy Castro 1992A 125 Second Place

Jeremy Castro 1993A 130 Second Place

Ryan Castro 1997A 145 STATE CHAMPION

Paul Engaldo 1975A 132 STATE CHAMPION

Mark Ernst 1982A 98 Second Place

Mark Ernst 1983A 98 Second Place

Mike Ernst 1980A 132 Third Place

Richard Ernst 1962 165 Second Place

Paul Evans 1978A 112 STATE CHAMPION

Tom Evans 1979A 112 Third Place

Jerry Ferris 1962 133 Third Place

Joe Fosdick 1974A 155 STATE CHAMPION

Joe Fosdick 1975A 155 Third Place

Joe Fosdick           1976A          167   STATE CHAMPION

Chuck Haas             1979A          185   STATE CHAMPION

Chuck Haas             1980A          185   Second Place

Mike Hergert 1969 112 Fourth Place

Tony Herrell 1998A 145 Fourth Place

Marv Holmes 1974A 167 Third Place

Pat Johnson 1975A 105 Second Place

Pat Johnson 1976A 105 Second Place

Pat Johnson 1977A 119 STATE CHAMPION

Bob Kallemeyn 1993A 160 Fourth Place

Joel Kallenberger 1981A 167 Fourth Place

Joel Kallenberger 1982A 167 Second Place

Dave Kampas 1974A 126 Second Place

Scott Klippert 1971 155 Fourth Place

Brian Knop 1985A 132 Third Place

Jim Kurth                 1982A         155   STATE CHAMPION

Mike Kurth             1983A         155   STATE CHAMPION

Scott Law                1984A          126   Third Place

Mike Lindeman         1980A         167   STATE CHAMPION

Mark Massery          1968            112   STATE CHAMPION

Mark Massery          1969            120   STATE CHAMPION

Michael McIntyre 2003A 140 Fourth Place

Dave Melhus 1975A 98 STATE CHAMPION

Dave Melhus 1977A 126 STATE CHAMPION

Jeff Melhus 1974A 138 Second Place

Mike Melhus 1979A 132 Second Place

Marty Morfey 1982A 185 Second Place

Dick Nally 1961 127 Second Place

William Nehrkorn 1959 154 Third Place

Jack Nickels 1979A 126 STATE CHAMPION

Adam Powers 2000A 119 Second Place

Adam Powers 2001A 125 Second Place

Bob Powers 1968 154 Fourth Place

Kevin Powers 1971 145 Sixth Place

Steve Ramirez 1977A 167 Fourth Place

Larry Rice 1990A 140 Third Place

Lonnie Robinson 1975A 145 STATE CHAMPION

Ron Schafer 1973 167 Fifth Place

David Seward 1962 103 STATE CHAMPION

Mark Shaw 1983A 167 Second Place

Andy Smith 1986A 119 Second Place

Sean Smith 1988A 126 Third Place

Sean Smith 1989A 135 Fourth Place

Chris Stallings 1991A 130 Fourth Place

*Another individual wrestler who had an excellent career at Savanna High was Jack Fosdick. Jack is said to have set every PIN record in the school, district and state, many of which still hold today. These included fastest pin, most pins in a season, and most pins in a career. Injuries kept Jack out of the state tournaments, however he was integral to the team reaching the finals.

To view some of the memorabilia of the Savanna High School westling program check out the display Manny’s Pizza in Savanna.

What an INCREDIBLE story and tradition for the Savanna High School wrestling program!

Boys Basketball

Over the course of the past 103 years, Savanna Boys Basketball has enjoyed some great seasons:

1902-03 1-3 First Season Coach V.C. Keys

1903-04 6-2 Coach V.C. Keys

1904-05 11-3 Coach Paul Lucas

1905-06 6-2 Coach Paul Lucas

1906-07 5-3 Coaches name unavailable

1907-08 7-1 Coaches name unavailable

1908-09 4-5 Coaches name unavailable

1909-10 5-5 Coaches name unavailable

1910-11 6-7 Coaches name unavailable

1911-12 3-3 Coach Higgins

1912-13 1-3 Coach Higgins

1913-14 4-8 Coaches name unavailable

1914-15 5-10 Coaches name unavailable

1915-16 7-8 Coaches name unavailable

1916-17 3-8 Coach Freude

1917-18 7-5 Coach Allan

1918-19 7-2 Coach Allan

1919-20 6-10 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1920-21 10-6 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1921-22 14-6 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1922-23 16-5 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1923-24 15-8 District Champions Coach W.F. Hafeman

1924-25 17-6 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1925-26 23-2 District Champions Coach W.F. McCarthy

1926-27 19-3 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1927-28 17-7 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1928-29 7-15 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1929-30 15-9 District Champions Coach W.F. McCarthy

1930-31 18-6 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1931-32  18-9       District Champions                Coach W.F. McCarthy
1932-33  19-6       District Champions                Coach W.F. McCarthy

1933-34  9-12                                                     Coach W.F. McCarthy

1934-35 13-8 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1935-36 10-13 Coach Strahecker

1936-37 13-5 Coach Strahecker

1937-38 10-13 Coach Lathrop

1938-39 11-12 Coach W.F. Massey

1939-40 18-6 Coach W.F. Massey

1940-41 14-8 Coach W.F. Massey

1941-42  21-6        Regional Champions            Coach W.F. Massey
1942-43  14-10      Regional Champions            Coach W.F. Massey

1943-44  17-9                                                     Coach W.F. Massey

1944-45 9-13 Coach W.F. Massey

1945-46 10-12 Coach W.F. Massey

1946-47 20-7 Coach W.F. Massey

1947-48 12-14 Coach W.F. Massey

1948-49 4-17 Coach W.F. Massey

1949-50 17-8 Coach W.F. Massey

Joe Parker ended his high school career with a season’s total of 367 points for a 15 point average per game. Richard Adams bagged 329 points for a 13 point average in the team’s success.

1950-51 11-13 Coach W.F. Massey

1951-52 18-8 Regional Champions Coach E.J. Krumm

This basketball team was one of the best that has ever been turned out from the Savanna Township High School. In the 1951-52 season, out of 26 games played, the team won 18 and lost 8. They won the regional tournament at Lanark for the first time in 10 years and got second at the Sectional in Moline. Dick McCue broke the record for the school by making 72% of his free-throws. Jack Hussey made 56% and John Rivera 53%. John Rivera averaged 43% for shooting field goals, and Jack Hussey 40%. Jack Hussey broke two records for the school, scoring 398 points during the year and the previous two seasons, scored 741 points. John Rivera was second high point man for the season, scoring 324 points.

1952-53 4-18 Coach E.J. Krumm

1953-54 2-20 Coach E.J. Krumm

Though short on wins the 1953-54 season was not without talent. Don Siedenburg was not the area’s tallest player at 5′ 03″ but he was one of the most talented. Don earned Second Team all-conference honors (the first and second teams each only consisted of five players). Don recalls his high school playings days:

“I graduated in l954 and played on the team. Unfortunately, back then everyone also played on the football team. Two of our better players got hurt and we only had a 2-20 record. The coach was E. J. Krumm who eventually went to Thornton High School in Harvey, Illinois. I went to two and a half years at Mt. Carroll High School, ten miles away, where I did not get much playing time. In the finally game against Mt. Carroll I scored 31 points. I made the second team all conference, which was the Illowa (meaning four teams from Iowa and four teams from Illinois. In l953 the St Marys of Clinton, Iowa high school team won the Iowa State Championship. They beat us by only eight points and I scored 21 points against them. I was fourth high scorer in the league and broke the free throw shooting record with a 78% shooting. There is an old saying about old high school athletes,”the older we get the better we were!” I don’t want to get in that category. I would like to mention that my height was and is 5’3″.

Don has continued to play basketball throughout his adult life and even has a “how to shoot” video on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWB0zeuCCY)

Articles About Savanna HS on Don Siedenburf

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Savanna HS Article on Don Siedenburg

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1954-55 9-12 Coach E.J. Krumm

1955-56 9-12 Coach E.J. Krumm

1956-57 14-10 Coach Jerry Gray

1957-58 8-14 First year in new gym Coach Jerry Gray

1958-59 16-13 Coach Jerry Gray

1959-60 23-5 Regional Champions Coach Jerry Gray

1960-61 24-3 Coach Jerry Gray

1961-62 10-15 Coach Loren Moen

1962-63 12-11 Coach Loren Moen

1963-64 3-18 Coach Loren Moen

1964-65 8-14 Coach Ron McCready

1965-66 8-12 Coach Ron McCready

1966-67 10-12 Coach Ron McCready

1967-68 3-20 Coach Ron McCready

1968-69 10-14 Coach Ron McCready

1969-70 6-16 Coach Ron McCready

1970-71 3-19 Coach Dewayne Wherer

1971-72 7-15 Coach Ron McCready

1972-73 4-20 Coach Ron McCready

1973-74 5-21 Coach Ron McCready

1974-75 0-24 Coach Anril Guilinger

1975-76 2-21 Coach Anril Guilinger

1976-77 2-20 Coach Anril Guilinger

1977-78 3-20 Coach Mike Dergo

1978-79 5-20 Coach Mike Dergo

1979-80 5-20 Coach Mike Dergo

1980-81 6-19 Coach Larry Halverson

1981-82 11-14 Coach Larry Halverson

1982-83 12-14 Coach Larry Halverson

1983-84 21-5 Coach Larry Halverson

1984-85 10-16 Coach Larry Halverson

1985-86 3-22 Coach Rich Grossi

1986-87 0-25 Coach Jeff Herkelman

1987-88 7-19 Coach Jeff Herkelman

1988-89 10-16 Coaches name unavailable

1989-90 7-18 Coaches name unavailable

1990-91 11-14 Coaches name unavailable

1991-92 21-5 Coaches name unavailable

1992-93 18-7 Coaches name unavailable

1993-94 8-17 Coaches name unavailable

1994-95 12-14 Coaches name unavailable

1995-96 7-18 Coaches name unavailable

1996-97 1-24 Coaches name unavailable

1997-98 5-21 Coach Chris Buikema

1998-99 N.R.A. Coach Chris Buikema

1999-00 N.R.A. Coach Brian McCormack

2000-01 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

2001-02 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

2002-03 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

2003-04 22-7 Coach Josh Knuth

2004-05 N.R.A. Coach Josh Knuth

Football

Savanna started their football program in 1919. Over the course of the past 85 years, Savanna Boys Basketball has enjoyed some great seasons, including undefeated seasons in 1922, back-to-back in 1941 and 1942, 1947 and 1950:

1919-20 4-5 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1920-21 3-7 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1921-22 3-3-1 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1922-23 8-0 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1923-24 7-2 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1924-25 5-2-1 Coach W.F. Hafeman

1925-26 7-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1926-27 5-2-1 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1927-28 5-3 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1928-29 4-2-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1929-30 5-2-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1930-31 1-6-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1931-32 4-2-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1932-33 4-3-1 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1933-34 3-6 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1934-35 3-5 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1935-36 1-6-1 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1936-37 5-5-1 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1937-38 6-2 Coach W.F. McCarthy

1938-39 6-2 Coach Adolph Stefani

1939-40 4-3-1 Coach Adolph Stefani

1940-41 3-4-1 Coach Adolph Stefani

1941-42  8-0                                                       Coach Adolph Stefani
1942-43  8-0                                                       Coach Adolph Stefani

1943-44  6-2                                                       Coach Leonard Matz

1944-45 3-4-1 Coach Horst Rickert

1945-46 5-4 Coach Horst Rickert

1946-47 5-3 Coach Horst Rickert

1947-48 8-0-1 Coach Horst Rickert
1948-49 7-1-1 Coach Horst Rickert

Two team members chosen for All-Conference…..Mike Ramirez, high scoring half back, and Jack Ferris, who had been on the All-American conference for two years before.

1949-50 3-3-2 Coach Horst Rickert

Indians finished third in the Illowa conference. Mike Ramirez, speedy halfback, was named to the All-Conference team and received All-State honorable mention. Gordon Fowler and Wayne Bousman were given honorable mention on the All-Conference team.

1950-51 8-0 Coach Horst Rickert

Undefeated and untied in eight straight games, the Indians finished the first undefeated, untied season Mr. Rickert had the opportunity of coaching. The Indians were well represented on the Illowa All-Conference Team when they placed three on the first eleven. The three chosen were Wayne Bousman, guard; Jason Truninger, fullback; and Keith Thayer, end. Jason Truninger was elected to the second team all-state for small schools and received special mention on the regular all-state team.

1951-52 2-5-1 Coach Horst Rickert

1952-53 4-5 Coach John Shimp

1953-54 3-5 Coach John Shimp

1954-55 2-7 Coach John Shimp

1955-56 1-7 Coach John Shimp

1956-57 4-4 Coach John Shimp

1957-58 1-6-1 Coach John Shimp

1958-59 6-2 Coach John Shimp

1959-60 4-3-1 Coach John Shimp

1960-61 4-4 Coach John Shimp

1961-62 3-5 Coach John Shimp

1962-63 3-5 Coach Bob Leuders

1963-64 1-7 Coach Don Robinson

1964-65 6-2 Coach Don Robinson

1965-66 6-2 Coach Carl Stebbins

1966-67  7-1                                                       Coach Carl Stebbins
1967-68  7-1                                                       Coach Carl Stebbins

1968-69  3-5                                                       Coach Dewayne Wehrer

1969-70 5-3 Coach Dewayne Wehrer

1970-71 5-3 Coach Dewayne Wehrer

1971-72 4-4 Coach Dewayne Wehrer

1972-73 4-4 Coach Wayne White

1973-74 4-4 Coach Wayne White

1974-75 0-9 Coach Wayne White

1975-76 0-8-1 Coach Wayne White

1976-77 8-1 Coach Wayne White

1977-78 4-5 Coach Wayne White

1978-79 4-5 Coach Wayne White

1979-80 6-3 Coach Wayne White

1980-81 1-8 Coach Bill Wright

1981-82 4-5 Coach Don Greenfield

1982-83 1-8 Coach Don Greenfield

1983-84 3-6 Coach Don Greenfield

1984-85 0-9 Coach Don Greenfield

1985-86 0-9 Coach Don Greenfield

1986-87 3-6 Coach Lee Hansen

1987-88 0-9 Coach Lee Hansen

1988-89 1-8 Coaches name unavailable

1989-90 7-3 IHSA Playoff qualifiers Coach Wayne White

1990-91 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

1991-92 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

1992-93 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

1993-94 N.R.A. Coaches name unavailable

1994-95 3-6 Coaches name unavailable

1995-96 3-6 Coaches name unavailable

1996-97 0-9 Coach Phil Sexton

1997-98 0-9 Coaches name unavailable

1998-99 0-9 Coach Trent Sellers

1999-00 0-9 Coach Trent Sellers

2000-01 0-9 Coach Dave Baisden

2001-02 0-9 Coach Dave Baisden

2002-03 0-9 Coach Dave Baisden

2003-04 0-9 Coaches name unavailable

2004-05 1-8 Co-op with Mt. Carroll Coach Brandon Farrell

In week four of the 2004-05 season, the newly formed West Carroll co-op with Mount Carroll and Thomson broke a 74-game losing streak with a 41-14 win against Polo. The losing streak is the longest in state history and was even mentioned in a Sports Illustrated article. Nevertheless, the kids played hard game in and game out.

Boys Track and Field

The Indians offered Track and Field to their students and in two seasons they placed at the State Tournament For four straight seasons (1982-1985), Savanna placed athletes at the state tournament.

**1896-97 Team Finished NINTH at the State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

George Pulford 800 Yard walk STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

1. Chicago Englewood 22

2. DuQuoin 20

3. Chicago Hyde Park 17

4. Peoria Central 16

5. Aurora East 14

6. Chicago Lake View 13

7. Aurora West 10

8. Lewistown 8

9. Pontiac 5

LaGrange Lyons 5

Savanna 5 Coaches name unavailable

1948-49 – Savanna broke the Illowa League record in the shot put with V. Tracey throwing forty-four feet three and five-eights inches. This established a new school record for Savanna. Vic Tracey was awarded the trophy for the most outstanding track and field athlete of the season.

1951-52 – One outstanding athlete this year….Jason Truninger, setting two records, one at Davenport (49’1 1/2″) and one at the Illowa League (47’9″). He placed third in the District Meet and traveled to the State Meet.

**1984-85 Team Finished SECOND at the State Meet!! Also won Sectional Championship! Coach Greg Stott

Individual Medalists

Ron Arb High Jump Third place

LeRoy Young 100 Meter dash Fifth Place

200 Meter dash Fourth Place

400 Meter dash Third Place

Long jump Fifth Place

Final Team Standings

1. Cairo 54

2. Savanna 25 Coach Greg Stott

3. Byron 19

St. Anne 19

5. Pontiac 18

Princeton 18

Farmer City 18

8. Melrose Park Walther Lutheran 17

9. Carlinville 16

Yorkville 16

Beecher 16

Other State Tournament Medalists:

1929-30 Lyle Hutton – One-mile Run (1600M) Fourth Place

1981-82 Dave Bullock – 400 Meter Dash Eighth Place

1982-83 Kevin Zeeryp – Discus Seventh Place Coach Greg Stott

1983-84 4×200 Meter Relay Team Eighth Place Coach Greg Stott

(LeRoy Young, Craig Newcomb, Noel Sy, Mike Pigford)

Ron Arb – High Jump Third Place

Craig Newcomb – 100 Meter Hurdles Sixth Place

(10 points- tied for 14th place in team standings)

The 1983-84 team also placed 3rd at the State Meet in in exhibition event (non point scoring) 4×400 meter Weightman’s Relay (strictly for season-long non-running field events athletes only) (Antoni Ragunas, David Weidman, Mike Pigford, Ron Arb)

Girls Basketball

1974-75 2-11 Coach Darlene Destival

1975-76 3-8 Coach Darlene Destival

1976-77 3-8 Coach Darlene Destival

1977-78 9-14 Coach Darlene Destival

1978-79 6-16 Coach Darlene Destival

1979-80 3-18 Coach Darlene Destival

1980-81 4-15 Coach Darlene Destival

1981-82 2-18 Coach Dwayne Hartle

1982-83 0-21 Coach Erik Torrison

1983-84 1-21 Coach Erik Torrison

1984-85 0-22 Coach Erik Torrison

1985-86 0-23 Coach Erik Torrison

1986-87 4-18 Coach Erik Torrison

1987-88 N.R.A. Coach Erik Torrison

2002-03 3-23 Coaches name unavailable

Girls Volleyball

The Savanna Girls Volleyball team was the only girls sport at Savanna to take home an IHSA state tournament series championship, that being a District Championship in 1977.

1977-78 N.R.A. District Champions Coaches name unavailable

Individual Events

Let’s not forget the activity clubs at Savanna! The SHS Individual events team had wonderful success in the 1940s and 1960s, including a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP team in 1940-41!

1940-41 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS Coaches name unavailable

1948-49 State 6th Place Coaches name unavailable

1966-67 State 9th Place Coaches name unavailable

Great Coach

Charles Anderson will go down in IHSA Wrestling History as one of the most successful coaches of all time. He coached the Indian Wrestling program from 1964-1988. In his 24 year career, Anderson had a record of 289-194-6 (.597). His teams won seven district championships, six regional championships, five sectional championships, and an incredible SIX STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! Fifty-one of his wrestlers placed at the state tournament and coached individual wrestlers to 19 state championships.

He is a 2003 inductee of the National High School Hall of Fame – Illinois Chapter (Lifetime Achievement).

Wright F. Massey coached basketball at Savanna from 1938-1951, coming over from Fulton High School. He had a career record of 345-203. He is also believed to be the first coach at Fulton, starting in 1928. He would have two sons who would continue in his footsteps in teaching and education, Mark and Evan.

Notable Alumni

Evan Massey (’70) An athlete at Savanna High, Evan Massey atteneded Knox College, where he lettered in basketball, and Western Illinois University and started teaching at Galesburg High School in 1974. Massey coached cross country, football and is currently the head girls basketball coach. Ever since taking over the girls basketball program in 1978, Massey has accumulated a record of 624-216. Galesburg has a third place finish in 1996, a fourth place finish in 1997, 2000, 2001, an Elite-Eight appearance in 1998 and 2003, to go along 1999’s second place finish.

Massey is a 2000 inductee of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. He was State Coach of the Year in 1997 and 1999 by the Illinois Girls Coaching Association. Also in 1997, Massey was selected as the National Federation of Coaches State Coach of the Year and Regional Coach of the Year. Massey is also an inductee of the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Knox College Hall of Fame.

Dale Gardner ’66 — was an astronaut for NASA,

Dennis Radabaugh ’61 –played basketball at Savanna.graduated in ’61. Held Savanna BB scoring records. Dennis’ high point game was a whopping 58 point effort! He went to the U of Kentucky on a basketball scholarship, finished at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Played on the ’60 regional champions & ’61 conference champions.

Robert Johnson – ’43 Star of TWO undefeated football seasons, as well as TWO Regional Champion basketball teams. This was Savanna’s only two Regionals “back2back”, and possibly the only undefeated football “back2back”.

Mike Tracey- ’70. Currently A.D. at UTHS (East Moline)… long time successful football coach at Rock Island Alleman High School. Inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Also inducted into the Alleman High School Hall of Fame in 2000. Mike Tracey was named Athletic Director of the Year for Class AA District 4, in 2006-2007

The following Savanna High School alumni were awarded the Savanna High School Board of Education’s “Most Distinguished Alumni Award” :

Savanna HS’s Most Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

1986: George Goetz

1987: Sherrod McCall

1988: Margaret Lehmann

1989: Jean Mace Ferris

1990: Dale Gardner

1991: Jack Hussey & David Hussey

1992: Robert Endorf

1993: Erik Isgrig

1994: Robert Stretton

1995: Judith Weidman & Alan Weidman

1996: William Ernst

1997: Virgil Mielke

1998: Jon Jungjohann

1999: Joyce Lantz

2001: Lt.Colonel Gordon Geison

Dr. Gerald Geison

**Information about another great Savanna native son can be found at the Wikipedia address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_King .

Memories

From James Davis:

“Another interesting Savanna team was the 1979-80 Lincoln Jr High Warriors Basketball team (became theSavanna HS class of 1983-84) 22-1 with only loss to Sterling Challand Jr High (a AA school 5 times the size with 2 future collge players)

Sargeant Rice was leading scorer with over 35 points per game, and the team had 3 players who dunked in junior high games (Mike Pigford, transfer due to family coming to the Savanna US Army Depot), Antoni Ragunas (a Lithunian transfer student) and Greg Truninger (Future Illinois All-Stater and son of the legendary Jason Truniger mentioned on your site). 12 times they scored over 100 points in a game, and against Chadwick High School (a team with 2 future Class A all-staters Brian Scheidigger and Ryan Schave) both teams scored over 100 points each, the only time this happened in Carroll County Jr high history)

The nucleus of this of this team formed the 1983-84 Savanna High team that went 21-5. In one of the games, against Fulton and their star player Mike Foster (a 6-5 guard who won numerous dunking competions) the 2 teams combined for 15 dunks, a broken backboard (Mike Pigford), and made the Rockford television news.

The US Army Depot was a source of many great African-American athletes at Savanna throughout the years-Savanna was the only small Illinois school in the area for years with many A-A athletes. Mike Hill, who lived next to Savanna and was one of the stars of the great Thomson High School 1972 4th place in Class A State baskball team was another. Another great black athlete from the Depot is mentioned on your site, already (Rob Johnson), but what is not listed is that he ran a hand-timed 100 yard dash in 9.4 seconds in 1943 at a home meet on Savanna cinder-track. This unofficially tied the world’s record, held by Jesse Ownes at the time.”

Seeking More Information

If you have ANY information about anything related to Savanna High School, including our unknown “Quick Facts” information, please drop us an E-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net – or – you can write to us at:

Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, IL 60631

Savanna High School “Indians”

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