If Jordan Gienger, St. Francis, wins the state championship this weekend, he will be a third direct generation state champion. His father, Kelly, was a state champion as were both of his grandfathers, Elton Keller and Warren Gienger. Is this a first for Kansas? Ron Tacha Manhattan PS. Both of his mother's brothers, Dan & Perry Keller, were state champions.
Re: Possible three generations of state champions
[Re: Ron Tacha]
#10246202/20/0702:07 AM
Babyg asked about Jordan Giengers wrestling family tree. Here is the best I can put together. I only mention state championships not state places. I will mention year, name, relationship to Jordan and lastly where they wrestled after high school.
1937-39 Dr. Ed Keller great uncle - KSU 2x Big 6 runner up/Nat'l wrestling hall of fame 1944 Warren Gienger paternal grandfather 1947 William Gienger paternal great uncle 1948 Elton Keller maternal grandfather - KSU 1956 Richard Vandike maternal great uncle 1960 Don Keller cousin - FHSU 1966 Dr. Tom Keller cousin KSU 1968 Bill Keller cousin KSU 1971-72 Dan Keller uncle KSU 1973 Jeff Vap uncle Colby CC/UNC 1975 Perry Keller uncle Colby CC/UNC 1978 Kelly Gienger father Colby CC/U. of Nebraska 1984 Darrell Vandike cousin 2007 Jordan Gienger
Some may look at all this with admiration while other may be like my Chapman high school graduate wife who calls it "that Keller/NWKS wrestling cult thing."
We are proud of Jordan though.
Dan Keller Orlando, FL
Last edited by FLKeller; 03/01/0703:19 AM.
Re: Possible three generations of state champions
[Re: FLKeller]
#10371503/01/0703:32 AM
Robert Keller- Jordan's maternal Great Uncle. State Champ in 1940s. There is also another Thread on here that asks about wrestling families. I listed all of our family members that wrestled and places ect. If you go back far enough you can find it. Mark Keller
I believe the Keller's from St Francis would deserve a nomination. All of these wrestlers are decendents of my great grand parents.
Thier sons. Ed Keller-Won the first match in Sainty history, member of Kansas wrestling hall of fame. Wrestled at K-State. Never got to participate in State Tourney.
Robert Keller-State Champ 1938 Elton Keller-State Champ 1947-48
GRANDSONS M John Keller-State Placer Don Keller-State Champ 1960 Stan Keller-State Placer Tom Keller-State Champ 1966 Bill Keller State Champ 1967-68 Richard Keller Jorn Keller Dan Keller State Champ 1971-72 Perry Keller State Champ 1975,
GREAT GRANDSONS Mark Keller Matt Keller Clay Keller-State Placer 1988 Shannon Keller-State Qualifier 1989. Assistant coach at Washburn Rural. Jim Keller-State Placer 1996-97 Grant Keller John Keller (wrestled at Pratt) Nick Keller Gabe Gienger -State Qualifier Jordan Gienger-State Placer 2005-06
GREAT GRANDSONS John Keller Carl Keller Luke Keller Kyle Douglass (wrestled at Norton) Darris Keller More Kids and Jr High wrestlers currently. Several of these guys wrestled in college. Some were national placers. I am probably forgeting someone that is all I can think of right now. Not boasting, we are just really proud of our wrestling heritage.
