MFL MarMac Boys Wrestling Preview: Core values remain with transition to co-head coaches
The MFL MarMac wrestling team includes (front, left to right) cheerleaders Desirae Kugel, Kylie Moses and Kynlee Baker, Kase Palas, Rylan Schroeder, Tacoma Thompson, Wolfgang Stone Martins-Saboria, Gavin Kishman, cheerleaders Addison Buchheit, Alexandria Ames and April Upton; (middle) managers Hadyn Meyer and Macy McGeough, Tristan Hoopes, Gunnar Ross, Blake Roe, Dracen Howe, Hunter Bogdonovich, Dayne Kohrs, managers Morgan Jacobson and Devon Meyer; (back) head coach Chet Bachman, co-head coach Travis Johnson, assistant coach Chip McGeough, Caleb Zuercher, Will Howes, John Martins-Saboria, Quinn McGeough, Keith Anderson, Austin Schaller, Gage Paulus and assistant coaches Mike Meyer and Collin Stubbs. Not pictured is Ty Koeller. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The 2024-2025 MFL MarMac boys wrestling team has “a little bit of everything,” in the words of head coach Chet Bachman.
“We’ve got some newbies, some young, seasoned freshmen—some freshmen who know what’s going on but they need more time—and then we’ve got some guys who are on the fringe of taking the next step. Maybe bringing home a medal from a tournament instead of fifth or sixth. Then you’ve got a few guys who want to get in the finals and win the tournament,” he explained.
“We’ve also got a lot of coaches helping out, which creates an advantage,” Bachman added. “They know what it takes to help those kids achieve their goals.”
Among those coaches is Travis Johnson, who, this year, is stepping into a co-head coaching role so Bachman can spend more time with his daughters in the girls program.
Johnson wrestled in high school at East Buchanan and two years at Iowa Lakes Community College. He became involved with MFL MarMac after moving to the area a decade ago, starting with the youth, then middle school and as a high school volunteer assistant.
“It’s a program I wanted to be in. They have a strong tradition of tough, hard-nosed kids. Well coached and well disciplined. I wanted to be part of that,” Johnson said. “A lot of kids on the team now, I had them in youth and middle school. I’ve grown up with a lot of these kids.”
The co-head coach role comes with more responsibility, according to Johnson. He’s running most practices and his voice is heard more. But he doesn’t plan to change much.
“I’m not here to flip things completely upside down. Still stick with the meat and potatoes work ethic and drilling and repetition Chet has started, and continue that tradition,” Johnson said.
Bachman echoed that. He said it’s not hard to transition with the level of trust they have.
“Travis reminds me a lot of me when I was younger because he listens. I listened to guys who were mentors. I didn’t think I knew it all,” Bachman explained. “He’s bought into what we do here. He’s got a few of his own tricks, but that’s OK. That’s good, that’s healthy. The core values are all the same.”
Both are excited about this year’s team, which includes returning state qualifiers, seniors Quinn McGeough and Keith Anderson.
Johnson described McGeough as the Bulldogs’ “pinnacle.”
“He’s really tough. He’s got the good work ethic. A lot of kids look to him on how to drill, how to do things well,” he said.
Also back is senior Austin Schaller, a previous conference champ who was injured last season.
“He’ll be a nice asset. He’s gotten bigger and stronger,” said Johnson.
John Martins rounds out the group of seniors.
The coaches also look for big things from juniors Will Howes and Dayne Kohrs.
“Will Howes has been another gold standard, especially for our heavyweights,” Johnson noted. “Dayne Kohrs is right in there in the mix. He’s a big, physical being, so trying to harness that.”
Sophomore Rylan Schroeder has put in extra work, added Johnson, and freshman Tacoma Thompson brings youth and middle school experience into the lower weights. Other returners include Gavin Kishman, Caleb Zuercher, Gunnar Ross, Ty Koeller, Wolfgang Martins Saboria, Hunter Bogdonovich, Dracen Howe and Gage Paulus. Blake Roe, Tristan Hoopes and Noah Troester fill out the freshman class.
“My whole group, they come in, work hard and don’t complain. They know what I expect of them,” Johnson said.
This year, that will be paired with more mindset training. Wrestlers will learn how to better handle tough matches, losses and long seasons.
“Trying to sharpen that mental sword a little more,” explained Johnson. “We know wrestling is a mental sport, so if we can kind of control that and get these kids not so anxious, that’s half the battle some days.”
The ultimate goal is to get better.
“You can’t focus on winning and losing,” Bachman said.
“As long as we can continue to get better every day, the rest will take care of itself,” Johnson added.
The Bulldogs’ first meet—duals versus Starmont, North Crawford and DeSoto—is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5, in Monona. They’ll head to the Cascade Dual Tournament the following night.
