Class of 1997

J. Michael Manahan
Olympia High School
Coach-Contributor

Mike wrestled for Hall of Famer Jim Bowers at Bloomington High School, where he was a state qualifier. He began his collegiate career at Auburn University before transferring to Illinois State University. Wrestling for Hall of Famer Dr. Robert Koehler at ISU, Mike was a two-time NCAA qualifier and his team's Most Valuable Wrestler as a senior.

After six years at Bloomington Junior High and Normal University and Eureka High Schools, Mike became head coach at Olympia High School in 1972, a position he still holds today. Mike's teams have won over 230 dual meets, 2 conference titles and 2 regional titles, and reached the Class A Elite Eight in 1990 and 1991. He has coached 19 individual state qualifiers, 5 placewinners, and 1champion. He also has officiated for 35 years, and has worked 6 regionals; 5 sectionals, and 3 Midlands Championships.

Mike also has served as tournament director for the IESA State Championships 7 of the past 10 years. Along with Chuck Murdoch, a sportswriter for the Peoria Journal-Star, Mike started the Country Companies Outstanding Central Illinois Wrestlers awards in 1971, which are presented by WHOl-TV, Channel 19 in Peoria.

In addition to serving on the IHSA Wrestling Advisory Committee, Mike was named wrestling's representative on the IHSA Classification Reform Committee in 1993.