Chris Bono
NCAA and US Nationals Champ, Univ. of TN- Chattanooga Head Coach
2001, 2002, and 2005 Freestyle World Team Member

High School and College Years 1
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High school close-up  

 

1992 Dapper Dan Finals - 135 pounds vs. Cary Kolat, ended 4-4 draw

Kolat's Interview in 2005 about the match...

Wrestling fans across the country still talk about your epic match with Chris Bono at the 1992 Dapper Dan Classic during the spring of your senior year. The match ended in a 4-4 draw. What are your memories of that match?

Kolat: I really have no memory of the match. I laugh because people always bring that up. It was a bad night for me. I didn't feel any pressure. A lot of folks felt like the pressure got to me being that it was the feature match and the last one of the night. I really don't know what happened. It was just a bad night for me and a great night for Chris. He deserved it. He wrestled tough that night. All I can do is look back and reflect on it. It was just one of those things that if I could change it would be great. But it's kind of how it wound up.

Shortly after the Dapper Dan Classic, you entered the NHSCA Senior Nationals. Bono was in your weight class, but lost a match earlier in the tournament, which prevented you from wrestling him again. Were you disappointed that you didn't get a chance to wrestle Bono again?

Kolat: Yeah, that was a big reason why I entered. I had no intentions of entering the tournament. I'm a competitor, so I wanted another crack at him. The tournament was the following weekend, so I jumped up a weight class and entered the event. He was beaten by somebody before that. Actually, Bono and I laugh to this day because there is a lot of controversy surrounding that match -- about the back points that were given. It's always a big joke between us. We're actually really good friends now.

Have you watched that match against Bono since high school?

Kolat: Never have. I've only seen bits and pieces. I've been on the Web site where you can see past events. I've actually never watched the match. But that's probably not uncommon for most wrestlers. I've watched matches that I lost before, but I usually try to stay away from them.


College write-ups (click to enlarge)



   Legends of Wrestling Trading Card

Cyclone Wrestling card 2001

with co-captains Nurre, Mountsier  

with 1995-96 team   

1995-96 senior team photo  

College Pride  

  with dad Ernie  

   vs. Kraft of Nebraska