A standout wrestler for the Shoremen, Shawn Bristow excelled on the mat and on the football field while at Avon Lake. He also played baseball. Bristow was a varsity wrestler for four years, and served as a team captain his junior and senior years. He was a first-team All-Southwestern Conference pick his freshman, junior and senior years, and an All-Lorain County selection his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was an individual champion his sophomore, junior and senior years at the Avon Lake K of C, Buckeye and sectionals.

After placing third at the state meet his sophomore year and finishing as a runner-up as a junior, Bristow’s high school wrestling career culminated with a state championship his senior season. That year he was a team co-MVP and the SWC and Lorain County MVP. He also advanced to high school nationals.

As a member of the Avon Lake football team, Bristow was a letterman his junior and senior years and served as a team captain as a senior. He was named to the SWC first team, All-Lorain County first team, All-District first team and was a Lorain County All-Star selection as a senior. He was also the team’s Maroon and Gold Pride Winner and the co-winner of the Most Valuable Defensive Back award his senior year.

After high school Bristow earned academic honors while at Kent State University, including the Lighthouse Award. He was a student council vice-president and an honor graduate. He also coached as an assistant for the Midview wrestling program.