The Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association [IWCOA] annually recognizes outstanding individuals in the sport of wrestling, and those who work behind the scenes to support the athletes and coaches.
It was recently announced by the IWCOA that Coal City High School athletic director Brad Boresi was selected as the 2025 1A Administrator of the Year. The organization’s membership selected Boresi for the honor based on a nomination submitted by Coalers head coach Mark Masters.
“Brad has been fantastic for our program. He is creative and makes wrestling a priority,” Masters said, adding, “Brad does a lot with recognizing the success of our individual accomplishments, as well as our team.”
The Coalers had an outstanding individual and team season advancing 13 wrestlers to the individual state finals—seven of them earning medals—and claiming the state team championship.
The success of the Coalers is based on several factors, one of them being the instruction and support provided by the coaching staff and this year, three year assistant coach Zach Berman is being honored by the IWCOA as the 1A Assistant Coach of the Year.
“Zach has been a terrific addition to our staff. He has great rapport with our student athletes. Zach runs out day-to-day practice and has our guys well prepared to be successful at the highest level,” Masters said.
Berman and Boresi will be recognized by the IWCOA at its annual Hall of Fame Banquet next month. At that time, the wrestling organization will honor the 2025 Hall of Fame class that includes Bob McGuinn, a long-time volunteer coach with the Coalers. McGuinn’s contributions and success in the sport of wrestling are vast and include his time at Eastern Illinois University were he was a three-time All-American.
The IWOCA has recognized several individuals involved in the Coal City wrestling program over the past several years. Hall of Fame members include Masters, former Coalers coaches George Dare and Brett Porter, and wrestler Todd Combes.
Previously honored as Assistant Coaches of the Year were Nick O’Bert, Jim Looper, Joe Widlowski and Kevin Carrrino. Administrators who have been recognized by the organization are Coal City High School principal Art Stafford and former athletic directors Dan Hutchings and John Cullick.
Masters is also a three-time recipient of the IWCOA’s Head Coach of the Year Award—2023, 2019 and 2015.
The organization also presents honors for Outstanding Wrestler of the Year and Scholastic Wrestler of the Year. Past recipients in those categories include Coalers Daniel Jezk, 2020 and Todd Combes, 1997, for Outstanding Wrestler, and the Scholastic Wrestler award has gone to Braiden Young, 2023; Riley Kauzlaric, 2016, and Noah Roseland, 2008.