Class of 2025

Michael Kimberlin,

Bishop McNamara/Northwestern University/Minooka

Wrestler/Coach

 

A standout at Bishop McNamara High School in Kankakee, Michael Kimberlin was dominant on the wrestling mat as well as on the football field. During his tenure on the mat, he was a three-time Chicago Catholic League champion and took second in 1999. In his senior year of 2000-2001, he was honored with the distinction of being a recipient of the Lawless Award.

Michael was all-state four times in Class A, placing third at 140 pounds in 1998, second at 152 pounds in 1999 and winning IHSA titles at 152 pounds in both 2000 and 2001. He never allowed an opponent a takedown in 35 matches during his senior year and has a combined record of 145-14 during his high school career. In 2001, Michael earned the honor of being a Cliff Keen High School All-American.

In football, Michael was an all-conference selection three times and made the Illinois High School All-State team in 2000. Michael helped lead his team to a second-place finish to Glenwood at the IHSA Class 4A Finals in 1998.

During the second round of the playoffs in 2000, he rushed for 325 yards on 60 carries and scored four touchdowns against Normal Community, His rushing attempts is still an IHSA record for playoff games in all classes and his rushing yardage was an IHSA record at the time. And it’s tied for the sixth-best total in the nation in any game.

After graduating from high school, Michael earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University where he was a four-year letter winner in wrestling and an NCAA qualifier at 157 pounds in 2004. Later, he received his Master’s degree at Olivet Nazarene University, and during that time, he spent two years coaching wrestling at Lincoln-Way Central High School.

After earning a teaching position at Washington Junior High and Academy in Joliet, Michael spent eight years coaching wrestling with his father, Dale, and his brother, Jake Kimberlin, at Bishop McNamara. In 2016, Michael was inducted into the prestigious Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame.

To date, Michael has helped contribute to the success of 20 state qualifiers, 15 state placers, six IHSA state champions, and two IHSA Elite 8 Dual Team appearances. Currently, Michael is teaching and coaching wrestling at Minooka High School.