By Kary Booher (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
There is a new coach in the wrestling room at Bolivar High School. Chad Coleman, however, is not green. In fact, this marks his 18th year in coaching in a career that includes six years as a head coach.
His path has included time as an assistant coach at Kickapoo High School from 2005 to 2008, followed by a year as an assistant at Mehlville and then its head coach in 2010. He was Springfield Catholic’s head coach from 2011 to 2016, an assistant at Neosho the next three seasons and then at Lebanon the past three seasons.
Even better, the Liberators have some “new” digs.
“We have been moved to the south side of town into an old lumber yard that we are calling ‘The Yard,’” Coleman said. “It is allowing us more room than in the past. We can put two full competition mats down.”
Projected roster
Coleman anticipates 25 boys on the roster, including three returning state medalists.
The lineup could be freshmen Madden Ross at 106 pounds, Kovin Parks at 113, Isaiah Ortega at 120, sophomores Thomas Zaya-Taylor at 126, Chance Henlsey at 132, and Cooper Moore, Maddux NeSmith and freshman Aiden Durret at 138, with senior Jake Banner and freshman Cale McCurry at 144.
In the upper weights, look for junior Elijah Ortega and freshman Cobrin Parmalee at 150, senior Riley Beckman and junior Peyton Campbell at 157, sophomore Mason McCurry and freshman Donovin Watkins at 165, and seniors Trey Brewer and Toby Bunn along with freshman George Weber at 175.
Senior Brandon Billington, junior Hayden Stamboldjiev and freshmen Owen McCullah and Austin Mulkey are at 190, with senior Blake Goodman at 215, and senior Cael McCullah, freshman Brayden Campbell and sophomore Preston Tomayo.
The returning state medalists are Moore, Brewer and Goodman. Beckman qualified for state, and NeSmith, McCurry and McCullah are all returning starters.
“I’m extremely excited I could come here and provide opportunities for these wrestlers,” Coleman said. “They have already shown me some excellent leadership and dedication that I haven’t seen before. We had a bit of a setback losing all of the previous coaches. However, that vacuum has set this program up to take a huge step organizationally speaking and I am excited to be a part of it.”
His coaching stops have enhanced his strategy. As an amateur, he wrestled at Fort Zumwalt High School in St. Louis and then Missouri Baptist University.
“Having the opportunity to coach in so many different communities has been an awesome experience,” Coleman said. “It has allowed me a sneak peek into what successful programs do. It has mostly shown me what great support a community can have for its school system. Coach Randy Roark (recently retired from Lebanon) was such an amazing leader, and his relationship building and humbleness is something I will take with me throughout the rest of my career.”
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Returning state qualifiers
Goodman was a state runner-up at 195 and finished 38-6.
“He went up to Nebraska with us this summer and only lost two matches to a couple of Nebraska kids,” Coleman said. “He looked smooth on his feet and had a pace that was hard to match. He seems hungry to get back to the finals and put in the work over to summer to get it done this year.”
Moore placed third at 138 and finished 36-5. He spent a lot of the summer and fall training in Kansas City, Coleman said.
Brewer placed third at 170 and finished 42-9 and has partnered with Beckman in recent months to ready for this season.
“They have practiced like they are on a mission,” Coleman said. “They both have state title aspirations. And they both have goals to wrestle in college. They both went up to fall brawl and medaled (Beckman was a runner-up, Brewer placed third). “These guys have left no doubt in their minds that they have done everything they can to put themselves in the best possible position to achieve their goals.”
Sleepers?
McCurry was 17-19 last year and competed well at a Nebraska camp this summer.
“A year of varsity under his belt and some work over the summer will help him to take a huge step and get a medal in February,” Coleman said.
McCurry has a lot of youth USA Wrestling experience.
“He wrestled like a technician against Nebraska kids. Extremely coachable,” Coleman said. “He was able to correct things instantly to get better. I’m excited to see this kid compete at the high school level.”
Owen McCullah competed with seniors this summer and could open some eyes this winter. Hensley wrestled on junior varsity last year and pays attention to details, Coleman noted.
Bolivar’s first tournament is its own, the 25th annual Bolivar Invitational on Dec. 3. The team’s wrestle-offs are Nov. 21.
“With an all new coaching staff and a new huge place to practice – and a heavy group of seniors to lead the team – this year will be interesting,” Coleman said.
