Class of 1998

Michael Cookas

Joliet West

 

Joliet West High School was the scene of the beginning of Michael Cookas wrestling career with Hall of Famer Ray Klootwyk. Mike was a 3 time State Qualifier, placing 2nd as a junior and 4th as a senior.

While at Northern Illinois University, where he wrestled for Hall of Famer Don Flavin, he twice qualified for Division I Nationals; placed 2nd in the Great Plains and won the Championship at the Coast Guard Invitational.  He was the Captain of the team in his senior year at NIU.

Mike returned to Joliet West to begin his coaching career. He was an assistant coach for 1 year before taking over the Head Coaches position, which he held for 12 years. During his head coach career his teams won the Rocket Tournament numerous times; won 8 Regionals, 8 Conferences and 7 Sectionals. His teams placed 4th in the State in 1973, 3rd in 1974; 2nd in 1978 and 2nd in 1979 and won the State Championship in 1981. Joliet West placed 4th in the first Dual Championships.  In an 8 year period his dual team recorded 174 wins. He had 54 state qualifiers; 24 place winners of which 7 were Champions and 8 were seconds. He had the AA Outstanding Wrestler in 1981 and was Named Coach of the Year in 1981 by the IWCOA.

While in Joliet Mike continued his involvement in coaching by hosting tournaments; establishing clinics; and supporting youth programs in Joliet, Troy, New Lenox, Minooka and Channahon.

In 1985 Mike moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota where he became an assistant coach to one of the top teams in that State. He left Apple Valley to become the Head Coach at Owatonna for 1 year. He left the demands of coaching to become involved in business.