Ada High School wrestling coach Kyle Bohannon took a few moments out of his schedule to visit with VYPE Magazine editor Brad Heath where he discussed who inspires him and what he loves about the Ada community.
VYPE: Where did you attend high school and college?
Bohannon: I went to Marlow High School and East Central University.
VYPE: What makes coaching at Ada special for you?
Bohannon: Ada has become my home, this is my 15th year at Ada, this is the only place my kids have ever known and that means a lot to my wife and me. Having a place where you enjoy coming to work every day and being around great people makes coaching in Ada a great place.
VYPE: Do you have a mentor or someone you lean on as a coach? Maybe someone who inspires you?
Bohannon: My Wife and kids inspire me. I met my wife in college. We have two awesome kids. She has always supported me and pushed me and without her believing in me and trusting me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m very thankful for that.
I have had the privilege of working with two former head wrestling coaches in our program, Dan Pettigrew and John Gallagher, both whom I consider to be close friends, great men, fathers, husbands, and teachers/coaches. I’ve learned to grow in all of those areas and lean on them when I need help or advice.
VYPE: What is it about the Ada community that makes it a great place to coach?
Bohannon: I love the community support for our schools, athletics, and our students. Ada is a community that realizes the importance of all athletics in a student’s life. They show up to sporting events to cheer on the Ada Cougars, they come to practices to give back to our different programs, and they donate financially to help make sure our young ladies and men have the equipment they need to compete.
VYPE: You’ve got some state qualifiers in the wrestling room. What has the mood been like early in the season?
Bohannon: We have two returning state qualifiers from last season; Tre Ivy, a senior and Kaden Gallagher, a junior.
Both are outstanding young men both on the mat and in the classroom, both who are multi-sport athletes that have had success on the field. We are lucky to have them, and they have been great role models for our young wrestlers. They are workout partners in the room, they feed off each other which elevates everyone in the room.
