Manheim, PA - The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is proud to announce the winners of this year's USMC "Battles Won" Boys State Head Coach of the Year, completing this week's slate of state-level award announcements.
Each of these head coaches is now a finalist for their Section Head Coach of the Year award and will be voted on by the state representatives from their section. The section winners will then advance as finalists for the national award, selected by the eight section leaders.
"Congratulations to each of these coaches representing their state," said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. "These coaches have gone above and beyond to provide opportunities for their athletes and have served as great role models for the next generation of wrestlers."
This week's other state award winners have already been recognized: the USMC "Battles Won" Girls State Assistant Coaching Staffs of the Year, the USMC "Battles Won" Girls State Head Coaches of the Year, and the USMC "Battles Won" Boys State Assistant Coaching Staffs of the Year.
Section-level winners across all four award categories will be announced next week.
2026 USMC "Battles Won" Boys State Head Coaches of the Year:
| State |
Section |
Coach |
School |
| State |
Section |
Coach |
School |
| Alabama |
Section 3 |
Jonathan Briggs |
Oak Mountain High School |
| Alaska |
Section 8 |
Jack Carney |
Wrangell High School |
| Arizona |
Section 7 |
Casey Woodall |
Morenci High School |
| Arkansas |
Section 6 |
John Petree |
Van Buren High School |
| California |
Section 7 |
Troy Tirapelle |
Buchanan High Schoool |
| Colorado |
Section 6 |
Dan Lewis |
Highland High School |
| Colorado |
Section 6 |
Jake Varra |
Highland High School |
| Connecticut |
Section 1 |
Michael Cunningham |
Xavier High School |
| Delaware |
Section 2 |
Brandon Dooley |
Woodbridge High School |
| Florida |
Section 3 |
James Marschka |
Chiles High School |
| Georgia |
Section 3 |
Christian Trimble |
East Jackson High School |
| Hawaii |
Section 7 |
Dave Chew |
Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama |
| Idaho |
Section 8 |
Devin Morrison |
Malad High School |
| Illinois |
Section 4 |
Ryan Cumbee |
Joliet Catholic Academy |
| Indiana |
Section 4 |
Gregg Schaefer |
Evansville Mater Dei High School |
| Iowa |
Section 4 |
Dimitri Boyer |
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont |
| Kansas |
Section 5 |
Tyler Gonzales |
Maize High School |
| Kentucky |
Section 2 |
Brooks Black |
Union County High School |
| Kentucky |
Section 2 |
Jarvis Elam |
Union County High School |
| Louisiana |
Section 3 |
Grant Hughes |
Holy Cross School |
| Maryland |
Section 2 |
Randy Curtin |
Chesapeake High School |
| Michigan |
Section 4 |
Mitch Hancock |
Detroit Catholic Central High School |
| Minnesota |
Section 5 |
Jim Jackson |
Staples-Motley High School |
| Mississippi |
Section 3 |
David Sutherland |
Vancleave High School |
| Missouri |
Section 5 |
Dustin Brewer |
Liberty High School |
| Montana |
Section 8 |
Tim Kaczmarek |
Huntley Project High School |
| Nebraska |
Section 5 |
Cody Wintz |
Battle Creek High School |
| Nevada |
Section 7 |
Nick Gaitanos |
Liberty High School |
| New Jersey |
Section 1 |
Michael DiPiano |
Nutley High School |
| New Mexico |
Section 6 |
Evan Copeland |
V. Sue Cleveland High School |
| New York |
Section 1 |
Kris Harrington |
Tioga Central School |
| North Carolina |
Section 3 |
Tripp Rogers |
William Amos Hough High School |
| North Dakota |
Section 5 |
Garrett Litzinger |
Grand Forks Central HS |
| Ohio |
Section 2 |
Scott Burnett |
Perrysburg High School |
| Oklahoma |
Section 6 |
Bobby Williams |
Tuttle High School |
| Oregon |
Section 8 |
JD Alley |
Culver High School |
| Pennsylvania |
Section 2 |
Derek Reber |
Mifflinburg High School |
| South Carolina |
Section 3 |
Mike Fitzgerald |
Clover High School |
| South Dakota |
Section 5 |
Mike Gibson |
Tri-Valley High School |
| Tennessee |
Section 3 |
Tyler Caron |
Station Camp High School |
| Texas |
Section 6 |
Oliver Pierce |
Melissa High School |
| Vermont |
Section 1 |
Zach Allen |
Mill River Union High School |
| Virginia |
Section 2 |
Patrick Shuler |
Grassfield High School |
| Washington |
Section 8 |
Todd Owens |
Kent-Meridian High School |
| West Virginia |
Section 2 |
Matt Smith |
Ripley High School |
| Wyoming |
Section 8 |
Eddie Clark |
Star Valley High School |
