Coach Doyle

Independence Wrestling coaching staff earns state, national recognition

June 18, 2020

Independence Junior/Senior High’s Head Coach, Michael Doyle, has been named National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) High School Boys Head Coach of the Year for the state of Iowa. In winning the State Coach of the Year honor, Coach Michael Doyle became a finalist for the NWCA Section 4 Coach of the Year Award.

Coach Michael Doyle’s accomplishments include the following:  State Duals placed 4th.  State Tournament placed 14th with 4 state qualifiers, Athletes placed 2nd, 2nd, 7th.  Won our conference West side division.

“Our Scholastic Coach of the Year Awards Program which honors our nation’s coaches who work tirelessly on behalf of their athletes is one of my favorite NWCA initiatives.  At a time when coaches are needed now more than ever, we get to take time and thank the entire profession by recognizing their peers at the state, section, and national levels. Thanks to those who we call Coach.” Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director.

Independence’s Assistant Coaching Staff has been named National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) High School Boys Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year for the state of Iowa. In receiving this honor, the staff became finalists for the NWCA Section 4 Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year Award.

The Independence staff is comprised of coaches Keith Donnelly, Josh Weber, Brian Loughren, Nick Fuller, and Kaleb Budzine and accomplishments include the following:  These guys spend countless hours working with our young people.  Teaching, developing, recruiting, and educating where possible to advance the sport of wrestling in our community.  This season we went 29-8 in duals and placed 4th at state.  We sent 4 individuals to state and placed 14th as a team.  The individuals got 2nd, 2nd, 7th, and qualified.

Coach Doyle

Doyle Named Iowa Class 2A Coach of the Year

February 24, 2020

Independence Wrestling Head Coach, Michael Doyle- was named Class 2A Coach of the year by The Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. John Carey was named the Junior High Coach of the Year.

Independence put two wrestlers in the finals for the first time since 2006 and the Mustangs won their 29th dual in the quarterfinals, a school record.

 

 

Assistant Coaches attend their 1st ABCA

Independence baseball coaches attend ABCA Convention

January 9, 2020

January 6, 2020 (Independence, IA) – Three of Independence’s baseball coaches recently attended the 2020 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention from January 2 to January 5 in Nashville. Coaches Chico Lizarraga, Blake Willenborg, and Austin Czerwiec appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the latest in baseball technology and to grow as coaches.

“The ABCA is a tremendous opportunity to continue to learn and build relationships with other coaches,” said Lizarraga. “I was very excited to take my staff to their first ABCA experience this year. We all enjoyed the baseball knowledge shared and we continued to grow our bond as a staff.”

The convention had over 7,200 coaches in attendance, and featured a Trade Show with the top baseball products and technology, presentations and clinics presented by some of baseball’s best, hot stove discussions for coaches to share ideas, and highlighted speakers from baseball greats including Tim Corbin of Vanderbilt, JT Maguire of the Cleveland Indians, former MLB Manager Buck Showalter, Rick Heller of the University of Iowa, and many more.

Throughout the presentations, clinics, and discussions with other coaches, Lizarraga felt reassured that the Independence Baseball program is heading in the right direction.

“The ABCA provides reassurance that Indee Baseball is not just keeping up with the game or falling behind, but is rather forward-thinking with its player development,” said Lizarraga.

The Mustangs will make their debut on Monday, May 25 at Charles City. Until then, coaches are helping their players prepare in the batting cages at RiversEDGE.

The 77th annual ABCA Convention will be held January 7 through January 10, 2020 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

 

 

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Moffatt Signs with Missouri State

November 13, 2019

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Dylan Moffatt signed today to swim with Missouri State next year. Moffatt is a senior who specializes in mid-distance to distance freestyle. He won the Iowa high school state title in the 500 free in both his freshman and sophomore years, setting the state record in the latter with 4:27.77. As a junior, he was runner-up in the both 500 free (4:31.97) and 200 IM (1:52.14) and contributed to the 5th-place 200 medley relay (24.13 leadoff backstroke) and 7th-place 400 free relay (46.52 anchor).

His best times include:

  • 200 free – 1:40.97
  • 500 free – 4:27.77
  • 1000 free – 9:17.21
  • 1650 free – 15:27.61

 

He told Swimming World:

“I choose Missouri State because when I was on campus, I really felt like part of the family. I’m excited to call Missouri State my home for the next 4 years. Go Bears!!”

Mustang Football Makes a Mark in All-District Awards

November 5, 2019

The Independence Mustang Football team concluded their 2019 campaign with an undefeated season, district championship and first round state playoff competition. The team dominated the Class 3A District #3 Awards.

 

The 2019 Class 3A District #3:

 

1st Team All-District Defense

Christian Kremer- Defensive Line

Cole Davis-Linebacker

Kaine Millard-Linebacker

Matthew Doyle- Linebacker

Kaleb Lamphier- Defensive Back

 

1st Team All-District Offense

Dylan Reuther-Offensive Line

Landry Jones- Offensive Line

Blake Bartz- Wide Receiver

Logan Schmitt- Quarterback

 

2nd Team All-District

Ben Moore

Marcus Beatty

Brady Webb

Brandon Haas

 

Academic All-District

Spencer Cambell

Koby Donley

Matthew Doyle

Michael Higgins

Brayden Holt

Kaleb Lamphier

Dylan Reuther

Logan Schmitt

 

 

Volleyball Earns Six WaMaC All Conference Awards

October 24, 2019

The Independence Volleyball team finished the regular season with a 27-11 record. Six players received recognition, highlighting a tremendous regular season for the Mustangs.

 1st Team:

  • Brooke Beatty
  • Reese Martin

 

2nd Team:

  • Elle Greiner
  • Allie Jo Zieser

 

WaMaC Recognition:

  • Alaina Butters
  • Grace Bohlken

 

 

 

 

Number 2 makes a catch

Week 5 Game Day Notes vs. West Delaware

September 27, 2019

The Series: 

This is the 106th meeting between these two teams.  Independence overall is 48-54-3, 29-23-1 at home, and 18-31-2 on the road against West Delaware.  The first meeting took place on November 4th, 1899, in Independence where the Mustangs won 15-0.

 

Coaching Records: 

Justin Putz is in his 6th season as head coach of the Independence Mustangs and 7th overall.  Currently, his record at Independence is 23-21-0. His overall coaching record is 28-26-0 in seven seasons with three playoff appearances.

Doug Winkowitsch is the head coach of the West Delaware Hawks.

 

Read the FULL GAME DAY NOTES

Week 4 Game Day Notes vs. CPU

September 20, 2019

The Series: 

This is the 2nd meeting between these two teams.  Independence overall is 0-1-0, 0-0-0 at home, and 0-1-0 on the road against Center Point-Urbana.  The first meeting took place on September 14th, 2018, in Center Point where the Stormin’ Pointers won 34-14.

 

Homecoming Record:

This will be the 106th Homecoming Football Game.  Independence is 48-52-5 while playing in Homecoming.  This will be the first time playing Center Point-Urbana for a homecoming football game.

 

Coaching Records: 

Justin Putz is in his 6th season as head coach of the Independence Mustangs and 7th overall.  Currently, his record at Independence is 22-21-0. His overall coaching record is 27-26-0 in seven seasons with three playoff appearances.

 

Dan Burke is the head coach of the Center Point-Urbana Stormin’ Pointers.

 

 

Read the FULL GAME DAY NOTES