“Both Chris and Yero have been world-class wrestlers who have had a successful run of 10 years of coaching,” Jackson said. “Both understand exactly what it takes to be an NCAA champion and a successful international competitor and will guide our wrestlers to their goals. Yero will work with our lighter weights, Chris with the middle weights and I will work considerably with the upper weights. They both have administrative experience as NCAA coaches and that will be of great assistance to me as well.”
Bono joined the UTC staff in 2005 after serving nine years as a wrestling assistant coach at Iowa State, where he graduated in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science. He then worked for former Cyclone head coach Bobby Douglas as an assistant coach and was the Cyclones’ head assistant coach for the his final three years (2002-2005) in Ames. Bono was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002 for his role in ISU’s success that season. The Cyclones compiled a 17-5 dual match record and were NCAA runners-up with five wrestlers earning All-America status.
“First and foremost, I am coming back to the school I love, my alma mater,” Bono said. “I know Kevin well, have worked with him in the past and believe in his vision for Iowa State wrestling.”
Bono was a three-time All-American at Iowa State, winning 130 matches from 1994-97, including the NCAA 150-pound championship in 1996. He ranks fifth on the ISU’s all-time wins list. A four-time NCAA participant, he placed fifth at the national meet as a sophomore and second as a senior. Bono won the Big Eight Conference title as a junior and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the inaugural Big 12 Conference Championship in 1997.
“Chris has a great passion for Iowa State University,” Jackson said. “He wants to be here. His experience will ease my transition to collegiate coaching.”
Bono has had a distinguished post-collegiate freestyle wrestling career. He was a U.S. World Championships team member in 2001, 2002 and 2005. He won U.S. national titles in 2003 and 2005.
“I have known Yero for many years and he is extremely skilled, has coaching experience and will be a great teacher for our wrestlers, especially in the lighter weights,” Jackson said. “He has trained under me and knows what we want to do here.”
Washington first joined the Columbia staff in 2002, as a graduate assistant. After a year as a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, pursuing a berth on the United States Olympic Wrestling Team, Washington returned to Columbia in 2004.
“The primary reason I’m headed to Iowa State is Kevin Jackson,” Washington said. “Kevin is an extraordinary leader. The fact that Iowa State is a collegiate wrestling powerhouse was also a factor in my decision.”
Washington also participated in the Olympic Trials for the 2000 Games after winning the Northwest Regional Qualifier. The 1998 Sunkist International Tournament champion, he has been a member of the U.S. National team, America’s World Cup team and America’s Nations Cup teams.
Born in Berkeley, Calif., Washington was a California state champion in high school in Porterville. A two-time junior college All-American at Fresno City (Calif.) College, Washington won the California State Junior College Championships. Transferring to Fresno State, he twice made All-American, in 1996, when he finished sixth in the nation at 134 pounds, and 1997, when he was third in the nation.
He served as chief assistant wrestling coach at Fresno City College from 1997 to 1999, and was on the 1999-2000 Fresno State staff, working closely with Stephen Abas, a three-time NCAA champion, along with Stan Greene, a two-time NCAA All-American.
Washington earned his bachelor of science degree from Fresno State in 1999.
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