Martinez, the NWCA's High School Coach of the Year, has led the Broncos of Montini Catholic as its head coach for the past five seasons. Prior to taking over the program, he was an assistant coach for five seasons and he's either assisted or led the team to eight straight Class 2A state team titles. During that timeframe, Martinez has led the Broncos to a 118-15 dual meet record against some of the toughest competition in Illinois and nationally.
The Montini Catholic program has produced 20 individual state championships since Martinez took over the program and 45 state medalists.
"What we've seen from Israel Martinez is really the development of a coach," said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. "We know about how accomplished he was as a high school wrestler, but he's taken his almost innate knowledge of the sport and been able to harness it with a fantastic high school program and a marvelous kids club. It's a testament to how much the sport of wrestling can help people when you see how well coach Martinez has done in leading Montini's program the last five years."
Clapier recently retired after spending 25 years as an assistant coach at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City. Clapier, known to many as an adopted father of many wrestlers throughout his years of the program, helped produce numerous state champions and state placewinners. Clapier was also instrumental in helping bring Division I wrestling back to the state of Utah with Utah Valley's program, which started in 2004 as the school was transitioning from a two-year college to a four-year Division I institution.
Clapier also serves as the voice for Utah Valley wrestling home dual meets.
"The lifelong dedication to wrestling is something that makes our coaches great," said Moyer. "Coach Clapier has time and again put himself in a position to not only coach wrestlers, but educate student-athletes about the benefits of the sport and a good education.
Regional Winners
Region 1
Head Coach of the Year: Kevin Gallagher, Minisink Valley H.S., Slate Hill, N.Y.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Brian Coon, Mt. Anthony Union H.S., Bennington, Vt.
Region 2
Head Coach of the Year: Eric Mausser, Franklin Regional H.S., Murrysville, Pa.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Dave Cline, Lake H.S., Uniontown, Ohio
Region 3
Head Coach of the Year: John DeWeese, Jack Britt H.S., Fayetteville, N.C.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Walt Monroe, Gilmer H.S., Ellijay, Ga.
Region 4
Head Coach of the Year: Israel Martinez, Montini Catholic H.S., Lombard, Ill.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Mike Powell, Oak Park and River Forest H.S., Oak Park, Ill.
Region 5
Head Coach of the Year: Jeremy Phillips, Neosho H.S., Neosho, Mo.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Paul Lappin, Garden City H.S., Garden City, Kan.
Region 6
Head Coach of the Year: Richard Martinez, Robertson H.S., Las Vegas, N.M.
Assistant Coach of the Year: John Pfeiderer, Platte Valley H.S., Kersey, Colo.
Region 7
Head Coach of the Year: Greg Varela, Gilroy H.S., Gilroy, Calif.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Mike Clapier, Skyline H.S., Salt Lake City, Utah
Region 8
Head Coach of the Year: Mark Lane, Kotzebue H.S., Kotzebue, Alaska
Assistant Coach of the Year: Ron Beck, Sentinel, H.S. Missoula, Mont.
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