Harlan Kistler competed at Notre Dame High School and finished first and third at the California Interscholastic Federation state tournament.

He was a Pac-10 Conference champion and an All-American for UCLA. After UCLA dropped its program, Kistler transferred to Arizona State University and won another Pac-10 title. He concluded his career at the University of Iowa competing for legendary coach and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Dan Gable by winning a Big Ten Conference title and finishing third at the NCAA Division I Championships.

At Martin Luther King High School, Kistler’s coaching record speaks for itself with 103 CIF placers, 48 finalists, 29 CIF champions, 45 Masters meet placers, 13 state placers, and 16 national All-Americans, including including two national champions.

His success in the legal world mirrors his wrestling career, as he was recently honored by the Riverside County Bar Association with the 2025 Attorney of the Year award.