Gary Cornelsen of Liberal HS is one of the most successful multiple sport high school coaches in Kansas history. As one of the best football coaches in Kansas history with a 118-17 record from 1991-2000 & 2003, he led his team to four 5A state titles at Liberal (1992, 1994, 1995, 1997) and multiple runner up finishes in 5A. He was also head coach for the highly successful Liberal track and field program for over 30 years. A program that produced some of the best overall athletes in Kansas history & had multiple players reach the NFL and NBA from either his track or football teams. During that time, Cornelsen led his teams to 28 State Championships…incredible. From 1991-2004, Cornelsen led the boys track and field teams at Liberal High School to 14 consecutive State Championships, while the girls teams won 10 out of 11 State Championships between 1994-2004. The stadium, track, practice fields, and weight room at Liberal High School were renamed as the Gary Cornelsen Sports Complex in 2011.
Liberal is no joke when discussing soccer as well.Coach Lori Navarro created a powerhouse in the southwest. Once Retired she left with a Record 291-97-14 22 winning seasons 1 losing,13 Conference Championships 11 consecutive,13 Regional Championships,10 final four appearances, 1- 4th place finish,3- 3rd place finishes,4 -State Runner-up’s,1- State Championship,Were featured on ESPN Rise Magazine,Were ranked Nationally 7 times,COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS,Conference coach of the year 13 times. ,Hutchison News Coach of the year 8 times,Regional coach of the year 5 times,State coach of the year 5 times,NSCAA Kansas small coach of the year 3 times,NSCAA Adidas Regional coach of the year 2 times ,Nominated for National coach of the year