2026 IHSA Boys & Girls Individual Wrestling Grand Marshals

Six individuals who have reached the pinnacle of high school wrestling in Illinois, either as athletes, coaches, or supporters of the sport, will be honored by serving as Grand Marshals during the respective IHSA Boys & Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals in February and March of 2026.

Four Grand Marshals will lead the annual Grand March of finalists on Saturday, February 21 prior to the championship bouts of the 88th annual IHSA Individual Boys Wrestling State Final Tournament at the State Farm Center in Champaign-Urbana.

Two Grand Marshals will lead the procession of finalists in the Grand March of finalists on Saturday, February 28 prior to the championship bouts of the 5th annual IHSA Individual Girls Wrestling State Final Tournament at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington-Normal.

The Grand March of finalists was first introduced at the boys state tournament in 1975, with the IHSA and Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) working together to select the Grand Marshals who lead the parade. The tradition carried over into the girls state tourney when it debuted in 2022.

The Grand Marshals play an important role in the color and pageantry of the events, as they lead the individual finalists and their coaches in a procession around the arena floor just prior to the championship bouts.

Here is a closer look at the Grand Marshals in 2026:

---2026 IHSA BOYS GRAND MARSHALS - FEBRUARY 21---

DAN FARINOSI
Dan Farinosi's lifelong commitment to education-based athletics and interscholastic officiating has left a lasting impact on generations of Illinois student-athletes.

Dan's distinguished career as a wrestling official included assignments to eight IHSA Individual State Final tournaments and six IHSA Dual Team State Final tournaments. He was honored as IHSA Official of the Year and later inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) Hall of Fame in recognition of his excellence and dedication to the sport. His officiating résumé also includes working the 1999 IESA State Tournament and the 1978 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.

In addition to wrestling, Dan devoted more than 30 years to serving as an IHSA football official, further demonstrating his passion for high school athletics. In appreciation of his decades of service, he received the IHSA Service Award for 34 years of commitment to Illinois high school sports.

Professionally, Dan built an equally impressive career in education. He served as a teacher, department head, assistant principal for nine years, Principal of Churchill Elementary School in Schaumburg School District 54 for five years, and Principal of Frost Middle School for 12 years. Following his retirement, Dan continued to serve students and school communities as a part-time interim principal in various northwest suburban schools for six years. He also taught part time at Roosevelt University for two years. Among his proudest accomplishments in education was leading the effort to hire School Resource Officers in five middle schools in District 54 and serving as their liaison for five years.

Away from the mat and the classroom, Dan has served as commissioner of a men's golf league since 1986. An avid golfer and pickleball player, he continues to enjoy staying active and connected with friends and family.

Dan and his wife Nancy have been married for 55 years and are the proud parents of two sons.

JEFF BOWERS
A 1980 graduate of Bloomington High School, Jeff Bowers was a four-year wrestler for the Purple Raiders, competing under the guidance of his father, Jim Bowers-an IWCOA Hall of Fame member and recipient of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum-Illinois Chapter Lifetime Service Award. Jeff became the 13th IWCOA Hall of Fame inductee whose father is also a member of the IWCOA Hall of Fame. As a senior, he captured a sectional title and placed sixth at the IHSA State Finals at 167 pounds, finishing his varsity career with a 76-24 record. He was named the 1980 Chuck Murdoch Central Illinois Outstanding Wrestler and was also a standout multi-sport athlete, earning All-Area honors in baseball after playing football as well.

Jeff continued his athletic career at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he played baseball and earned All-Conference honors. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

Following graduation, Jeff returned to Illinois and began a distinguished career in wrestling officiating. Since receiving his first IHSA Regional assignment in 1991, he has worked 36 regionals, 30 individual sectionals, and 19 dual team sectionals. He was appointed to his first IHSA Dual Team State Finals in 1999 and his first IHSA Individual State Finals in 2001. Over the course of his career, Jeff has officiated 10 IHSA Dual Team State Finals and 18 IHSA Individual State Finals tournaments. He has also worked the IESA State Finals 13 times and the IKWF State Finals twice. In 2010, 2013, and 2017, Jeff was selected to officiate the prestigious U.S. vs. Illinois All-Star Meet.

Jeff has served on the IHSA Officials Advisory Committee and has been widely recognized for his excellence and service. He was named IWCOA Official of the Year in 2005 and 2013, selected as the NFHS Illinois Official of the Year in 2009, received the IWCOA Lifetime Service Award in 2025, and was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2012.

Jeff currently resides in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, where he serves as a Corporate Accounts Manager for Reagent Chemical & Research.

KIRK MAMMEN
A 1987 graduate of Urbana High School, Kirk Mammen capped one of the most accomplished careers in school history with a 145-12 record from 1983-87. Wrestling under the guidance of his father, Wayne, Kirk became a two-time IHSA State Champion at 185 pounds in 1986 and 1987 and was named the 1987 Outstanding Wrestler of the IHSA State Tournament. He earned High School All-American honors twice and was selected to the 1987 National High School Wrestling Dream Team.

Kirk's success extended beyond folkstyle competition. He was a two-time State Freestyle Champion (1986, 1987), the 1987 Greco-Roman State Champion, and captured a Greco title at the 1988 Prairie State Games. In following in the footsteps of his father-who was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2001-Kirk further cemented the Mammen family legacy in Illinois wrestling.

Kirk continued his career at Oklahoma State University from 1987-1992, becoming the 13th four-time All-American in the storied history of the Cowboy program. He amassed 108 career victories, ranking among the top 20 in school history at the time of his graduation. Competing at heavyweight, Kirk won the 1990 University Open National Championship and claimed the 1991 Olympic Festival title. He was also a two-time placewinner at the U.S. Open in freestyle and compiled a 3-0 record against future 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner.

Wrestling has always been a family affair for Kirk, who was coached throughout his career by his father Wayne and, at times, by his mother Barb and brother Mark.

Kirk and his wife Jackie have been married for 35 years. They are the proud parents of two sons-Jake, who resides in Dallas, Texas and serves as Director for Early Alert, LLC, and Zeke, an Air Force Captain and F-35 pilot stationed in Montgomery, Alabama. They are also proud grandparents to their granddaughter, Parker.

PETE ALBER
Pete Alber began his wrestling journey in 1979 at Dakota High School under the direction of Coach Richard Tschudi. As a student-athlete, Pete quickly made his mark on the IHSA State Finals stage, winning the 98-pound state championship in 1981 and finishing as state runner-up at 105 pounds in 1982.

He returned to his alma mater in 1991 as an assistant coach under Tom Unruh and assumed the role of head coach in 1996. From that point forward, Dakota wrestling established itself as one of the premier Class 1A programs in Illinois history.

During his tenure, Pete coached 114 state qualifiers, 73 state placewinners, 16 state runners-up, and 37 individual state champions. His teams captured six IHSA state championships and two third-place team finishes. Throughout his career, Pete has consistently credited the program's success to his assistant coaches, the dedication of his student-athletes, the unwavering support of parents, administrators, teachers, and the Dakota community, and his strong personal faith.

Pete's accomplishments have been recognized at both the state and national levels. He was named IWCOA Head Coach of the Year in 2005, 2013, and 2020, IHSA Wrestling Head Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2015, and NFHS Illinois State Coach of the Year in 2015. He was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2015 and, in 2024, into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Although he officially retired in the fall of 2021, Pete's connection to the sport remains strong. He continues to attend practices and meets when possible, while dedicating more time to his growing family and the next generation of wrestlers.

Wrestling has long been a family tradition for the Albers. Pete competed alongside his brothers Tony, Greg, and Jim, and the legacy has continued through his extended family. Between the Alber and Milks families, there have been 18 state titles. His wife, Linda, has played an integral role in the program's success-organizing travel, coordinating fundraising efforts, and supporting the team in countless ways. Daughters Holly and Shelly served as team statisticians in high school and have worked the IHSA State Tournament for the past 17 years. His son, Vince, began wrestling at age four, went on to become both an IKWF and IHSA state champion, and now gives back to the sport as a volunteer coach and Dakota Kids Club coach.

Through decades of leadership, success, and service, Pete Alber has helped shape Dakota wrestling into a model of sustained excellence in Illinois high school athletics.

---2026 IHSA GIRLS GRAND MARSHALS - FEBRUARY 28---

MARGARET LEHR
Margaret Lehr's wrestling journey began in 1991 at Libertyville High School, where she first became involved in the sport as a team manager. Immersed in the daily preparation and competition of the program, she developed a passion for wrestling that soon led her from the sidelines to the mat.

As a sophomore in 1992, Margaret made history by becoming the first girl to compete in IHSA wrestling. That same season, she recorded a junior varsity victory, becoming the first female wrestler to win an IHSA-sanctioned match. Her groundbreaking accomplishments continued into her junior year when, as a part-time varsity starter, she earned the first varsity victory by a female wrestler in IHSA history. She continued competing as a senior, adding multiple wins and further paving the way for future generations of girls in the sport.

In the spring of 1994, Margaret reached the pinnacle of her competitive career. Competing at the U.S. Women's National Championships in Las Vegas, she placed second to Afsoon Roshanzimir. When Roshanzimir was unable to compete internationally, Margaret was named to the U.S. World Team. She went on to represent the United States at the World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, earning a silver medal on the world stage.

Though her competitive career concluded shortly thereafter, Margaret's connection to wrestling remained strong. In 1998, she met and later married Dave Lehr, a teacher and wrestling coach, allowing her to remain actively involved in the sport. Her role became even more meaningful as she supported her children, Tommy and Sammy, in their own wrestling journeys.

In 2021, Margaret returned to the mat as a volunteer coach at Normal West High School, helping to build and develop the school's girls wrestling program. She assisted in coaching her daughter Sammy to two IHSA Girls State Tournament appearances. In recognition of her leadership and commitment, Margaret was named the program's first official Girls Head Coach beginning with the 2025-26 season. She also serves as a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Normal West.

From historic pioneer to world medalist to coach and mentor, Margaret Lehr's impact on wrestling in Illinois spans more than three decades and continues to influence the growth of girls wrestling across the state.

MIKE MANAHAN
Mike Manahan devoted more than five decades to education and the sport of wrestling, including 33 years as the head wrestling coach at Olympia High School. When Olympia opened in 1972, Mike founded the wrestling program and became the only head coach in school history until his retirement in 2005. In total, he has coached and taught for 54 years.

A graduate of Bloomington High School, Mike was a state qualifier and team captain before continuing his collegiate career at Auburn University and later Southern Illinois University. He completed his degree at Illinois State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education and a master's degree in Physical Education. As a member of the Illinois State wrestling team, he was a two-time national qualifier, team captain, and was voted Most Valuable Wrestler his senior year.

Mike began his coaching career at Bloomington Junior High School, followed by stops at Normal University High School and Eureka High School before establishing the program at Olympia. Over the course of his career, he compiled a 421-361-3 record. His teams won three conference championships, nine regional titles, and four sectional championships. Olympia produced 64 state qualifiers, 19 state placewinners, five state runners-up, and four individual state champions under his leadership. The Spartans earned a second-place team finish in 2001, third in 1999, fourth in 2000, and Elite Eight appearances in 1990, 1991, and 2002.

Following his retirement from Olympia, Mike helped start wrestling programs at Mackinaw and Heyworth High Schools, raising funds to build sustainable programs. He also co-founded an annual home-building project that has generated more than $367,000 over 12 years to support local athletic programs. In 2003, he founded the Midwest Nationals Wrestling Tournament, which has grown to host approximately 1,500 wrestlers from 23 states and continues to give back to high school wrestling programs.

Mike's impact extends well beyond coaching. He has been a wrestling official for more than 60 years, working IHSA regionals and sectionals, three Midlands Championships, two NCAA Division I National Tournaments, and one Division III National Tournament. He has served as tournament director for the IESA State Wrestling Championships, the IHSA Dual Team State Finals, and has played a key role in organizing the IHSA Girls State Tournament. In 1971, he established the Chuck Murdoch Outstanding Wrestler Award for Central Illinois, an honor that continues to be presented annually.

His service to the sport includes leadership roles on the IHSA Wrestling Advisory Board, the IWCOA Board of Directors, and the Illinois Coaches Association. He has served as President of the IWCOA and as Co-Chair of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Illinois Chapter. Mike was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006. Among his many honors are IHSA Grand Marshal (2002), Illinois Wrestling Man of the Year (2005), National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the Year (2002), and induction into the NHSACA Hall of Fame (2008). He has also been inducted into the halls of fame at Olympia High School and Bloomington High School, as well as the Ken Kraft Midlands Hall of Fame. Olympia High School recently named its wrestling facility the Mike Manahan Mat Room in his honor.

Beyond wrestling, Mike has been deeply committed to community service. He founded a blood drive at Olympia High School and, alongside his wife, volunteers weekly at the Home Sweet Home Mission while continuing to support numerous charitable efforts.

Through coaching, officiating, leadership, and service, Mike Manahan's legacy has touched nearly every level of wrestling in Illinois and beyond.