Class of 2023

Coal City Wrestler

Todd Combes started wrestling with the Dolton Falcons Park District at the age of three under the supervision of coaches Ray Czaszwicz, Les Sparrey, and Ed Dorman. As Todd moved through the Falcons program, he started winning matches and tournaments under the helm of his father, Marty Combes. He started making his mark on the world of wrestling winning regional and sectional tournaments at the intermediate level. Todd took second place at both in 1989 and then placed 6th at state when he was only 10 years old.

Todd also had eight straight state final appearances between Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation (IKWF) and Illinois High School Association (IHSA). Todd was a three-time state champ in IKWF while winning the M.O.W. Awards at the Midwest Junior Classic, the IKWF Open Elite, and the state tournament in 1993.

Then, the family moved to Coal City, Illinois. As an incoming freshman, Todd began wrestling as a Coaler. While in high school, he aspired to continue his wrestling success. Hall of Fame Coach, George Dare had just retired but left his legacy behind to live on in the hearts and minds of his wrestlers. The coaching staff changed again for the Coaler as a freshman and as a sophomore, but his teammates were there to push him all the way to the IHSA State Championships taking second place at state in both of those freshman and sophomore seasons.

New coaches, Brett Porter and Mark Masters, both eventual Hall of Fame inductees, arrived at Coal City in time to guide and motivate this winning grappler. They motivated Todd to get to the next level and fine-tune his competitive edge. As they pushed him, he pushed himself even harder. After losing his father in a tragic accident the year before and competing in an extremely close finals match-up, Todd wanted to right the ship of his life on the mat in the sport that he loved. He responded to these challenges with honor and perseverance going undefeated his junior and senior years as a Coal City Coaler.

With two state championships under his belt and collecting the ‘Single A - Most Outstanding Wrestler Award’ in 1997, he finished high school with a record of 136 wins and nine losses. His overall wrestling career record stands at 465 wins, 119 losses, and three ties.

Todd Combes has since followed in his father’s footsteps. He is now in his fifteenth year of coaching kids’ clubs by helping them understand to have fun and exhibit good sportsmanship while molding the hearts, minds, and bodies of a new generation of wrestlers