Chris Bono
2004 Olympic 69kg Freestyle Wrestling Hopeful

Accomplishments
(Indented bulleted items are hot linked articles)

Snapshot

  • Born: February 13, 1974, Philadelphia, PA
  • Stats: 5 foot 3 inches, 152 pounds
  • High School: The Bolles School, Jacksonville, Florida
  • College: Iowa State University
  • Degree: BS, Exercise sport and science, 1997
  • Occupation: 4th year, assistant wrestling coach, Iowa State University
  • 2000-2001 Team USA Ranking: No. 2 69kg/152 lbs
  • Years on Team USA: 3
  • Club: Sunkist Kids
  • Resides: Gilbert, IA
  • Wife's Name: Niki
  • Child's Name: Josie, born December 3, 2000 (a big accomplishment!)
  • Enjoys: running with his dog (Rico)
  • Brief history

    • Coaching Record

  • Cyclones Take Team 2nd at 2000 NCAAs
  • March 2000 NCAA Recap
  • Iowa Legislature Honors Team

  • Cyclones Take Team 6th at 2001 NCAAs
  • Sanderson Wins, Team in 6th

    • International Competition

  • Team USA 1st in 2001 World Cup, Baltimore, Maryland, May 5-6
  • Match 1, Match 2, Match 3, Match 4
    WIN Buronov (Uzbekistan), 6-0
    LOSS Gulhan (Turkey), 4-3
    LOSS Baraati (Iran), 2-1 ot
    WIN Boziev (Russia), 7-0, injury default
  • 4th in 2001 Takhti Cup, Mashhad, Iran, February 20-23
  • Takhti Cup Results
    • WIN Mardoni (Iran), 2-2, ot
    WIN Mirzaiev (Azerbaijan), 4-0
    WIN Babaee (Iran), 4-2
    WIN Mohammadi (Iran), 5-1, ot
    WIN Amez (Iran), 4-2
    LOSS Tavakoliam (Iran), 2-2, ot
    LOSS Baraati (Iran), 3-1
  • 3rd in 2001 Manitoba Open, Winnipeg, Canada, February 2-3
  • Manitoba Open Results
    • LOSS Bill Zadick, 3-2 (passivity)
    WIN Celso De Arda (Mexico), 10-1
  • 1st in 2000 Sunkist Kids/ASU International, Phoenix, AZ, November 4-5
  • Sunkist Open Results
    • WIN Steve Rose (Canada), 3-1 ot
    WIN Shaime Jaime, 12-1 tech fall
    WIN Ramico Blackmon, Disq.
    WIN Nathan Vasques (Fesno State) 4-3, ot
    WIN Kirk White (Boise State) 3-1, ot
  • 6th in 2000 Pan American Championships, Cali, Colombia, May 26-27
  • Pan Am Results
  • Pan Am Team Selected
    • WIN Jhonny Cedeno, Venezuela, pin 2:36
    LOSS Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, 4-2
  • 2nd in 2000 Cerro Pelado Tournament, St. Spiritus, Cuba, February 26-27
  • Five USA Wrestlers Medal
  • NBC Coverage
    • WIN Jose Jimenez, Mexico, 12-1
    WIN Robinson Madera, Dominican Republic, 11-0
    WIN Jhonni Deceno, Venezuela, 13-2
    LOSS Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, 3-1, ot
  • 1st in USA vs. Cuba, Houston, TX, February 15
    • WIN Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, 3-2, ot
  • 2nd in 2000 Dave Schultz Memorial International, Colorado Springs, CO, February 11-12
  • 14 USA Wrestlers Win Gold
    • WIN W.R. Groves, USA Ohio, 11-1
    WIN Matthew Farrell, Canada, 14-4
    WIN Ramico Blackmon, Team Excel, disq.
    LOSS Yosmany Sanchez, Cuba, 4-1
  • 2000 Dan Gable Classic, Cedar Rapids, IA, February 8
    • LOSS Orest Skobelsky, Ukraine, 4-2
  • 8th in 2000 Takhti Cup, Qazvin, Iran, January 21
  • Takhti Cup Results
    • LOSS M. Tavakolian, Iran, 6-3
    WIN A. Mohammed, Pakistan, 23-7
  • 2nd in 1999 Clansmen International, Vancouver, Canada, November 13
  • Clansman Results
    • WIN Jamie Porteus, Canada, 14-3
    WIN Steve Rose, Canada, 9-0
    WIN Terry Steiner, Excel, 5-0
    LOSS Daniel Igali, Burnaby Mt WC-Canada, 2-1, ot, 9:00
  • 1st in 1999 Sunkist Kids/ASU International, Phoenix, AZ, October 30-31
  • Bono... named Outstanding Wrestler at Sunkist Kids Int'l
  • Sunkist Kids International Results
    • WIN Tim Cobb, Viking, 10-0
    WIN David Lupinsky, unattached, pin 4:05
    WIN Derek Sanders, Arizona, 11-0
    WIN Tod Surmon, Dave Schultz WC, 7-3
    WIN Terry Steiner, Excel, 4-2
  • 7th in 1999 Cerro Pelado Tournament, St. Spiritus, Cuba, February 22-23
  • 2 Gold, 1 Silver
    • WBTF Fernando Orcero (Peru), 11-0
    LOSS John Giura, NY, 5-3
  • 10th in 1999 Dave Schultz Memorial International, Fort Carson, CO, February
  • Schultz Memorial International Results
  • 11 From US Win Gold
  • 1st in 1998 Sunkist Kids International Open, October
  • Bono, Brinzer Tops at Sunkist Kids/ASU Int'l Open
  • 1998 Nations Cup, Chicago, IL, September 25
  • Round 1- US vs. Ukraine
    • WIN Zaza Zazirov, 3-1
    LOSS Zaza Zazirov, 6-2
  • 2nd in 1998 Uzbekistan Cup, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • Cup Results
    • LOSS Taimuraz Urusov (Russia), 4-0
  • 1998 Dan Gable Classic, IA, May 10
    • WIN Artour Tavkavakhov (Russia), 7-6.
  • 1st in 1998 Cerro Pelado Tournament, Cuba, February
  • Cerro Pelado Results
  • 3rd in 1997 Pan American Championships
  • 4th in 1996 Tropheo Milone, Italy

    • National Competition

  • 1st in 2001 U.S. World Team Trials, Cincinnati, OH, June 22-24
  • U.S. World Team Trial Results
    • WIN vs Yoshi Nakamura, Dave Schultz WC, 4-1
    WIN vs Chris Ayers, New York AC, 6-2
    WIN vs Ramico Blackmon, Team Excel, 3-0
    WIN vs Ramico Blackmon, Team Excel, 4-3
  • 2nd in 2001 U.S. Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, April 13-14
  • U.S. Nationals Results
    • WIN vs #5 David Esposito, New York AC, 4-1
    LOSS vs. #2 Ramico Blackmon, Team Excel, 6-3
  • 1st in 2000 Midlands Championship (157 lbs), Evanston, IL, December 22-24
    • WIN Yoshi Nakamura, U Pennsylvania, 3-1 ot
  • 2nd in 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Dallas, TX, June 22-24
  • U.S. Olympic Team Trials Results
    • WIN Kenny Johnson, Wildcat WC, 8-0
    WIN Alan Fried, Sunkist Kids, 3-2
    WIN Pat Santoro, New York AC, 8-7 ot
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway, 3-0
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway, 4-0
  • 2nd in 2000 U.S. Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, April 20-22
  • U.S. Nationals Standings
    • WIN David Esposito, New York AC, 10-2
    WIN Khash Saghafi, Ohio, 12-0
    WIN Thomas Juarez, Dave Schultz WC, 10-0
    WIN Adam Disabato, Ohio Int'l, 4-0
    WIN Pat Santoro, New York AC, 1-1 ot
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway, 3-0
  • 1st in 2000 West Olympic Regionals, Corvallis, OR, March 26
  • Olympic Team Trial Results
    • WIN Ben Backley, Toro, 10-0
    WIN Kenny Johnson, Wildcat WC, 7-1
    WIN Casey Hunt, Club Oregon, 11-0
    WIN Terry Steiner, Team Excel, 5-4, ot
  • 1st in 2000 Midlands Millenium Championship, Evanston, IL
  • 3rd in 1999 World Team Trials, Seattle, WA, June 18-19
  • World Team Trials
    • WIN Alan Fried, Sunkist, 8-2
    LOSS Pat Santoro, New York AC, 6-1
  • 2nd in 1999 U.S. Nationals, Las Vegas, NV, April
  • U.S. Nationals Standings
  • 1999 U.S. National Complete Results
    • WBTF Tony Guerrero, Unattached 11-0; 2:05
    WBTF Mike Mendoza, Dave Schultz WC 10-0; 1:25
    WBTF Brett Matter, Dave Schultz WC 10-0; 5:58
    WIN Alan Fried, Sunkist 5-2; ot
    WIN Pat Santoro, New York AC 3-0; ot
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway 4-0; 6:49 ot
  • 1st in 1999 Northern Plains Regional Championship
  • 1st in 1999 Midlands Championship (157 lbs), Evanston, IL, December 29-30
  • Midlands Brackets and Results
  • Feature Article from SportsIowa
    • WIN Doug Cieleski, SRU 12-5
    WIN Leo Urbanelli, Cornell 10-5
    WIN Cole Sanderson, Iowa State 3-2
    WIN Bryan Snyder, Nebraska 4-2
    WIN T.J Williams, Iowa 4-2 see the match video- 56 kbps | 100 kbps
  • 2nd in 1998 World Team Trials, Waterloo, IA, June 12
  • Former Cyclones Akin and Bono Meet Rivals Again
  • Bono, Mena Added to World Team Trials
    • WIN Alan Fried, Sunkist, forfeit
    WIN Terry Steiner, Team Excel, 3-2, ot, 7:47
    WIN Pat Santoro, New York AC 2-2, 8:00 ref dec.
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway 5-1
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Gateway 3-1
  • 6th in 1998 US National Freestyle Wrestling Championship, Orlando, FL, April
  • Results
    • WBTF Darryl Bozeat, Armed Forces 11-0; 1:40
    WBTF Shawn Enright, New York AC 10-0; 2:26
    LOSS Ken Ramsey, Ohio 6-4
    LOSS Pat Santoro, New York AC 6-5
  • 1st in 1998 University Freestyle Nationals, Evanston, IL, April
  • University Freestyle Nationals
    • WIN Kirk White, Boise State 9-0
  • 1st in 1997 Winter Classic Championship
  • 1st in 1997 Midlands Championship (150 lbs), Evanston, IL, December
  • Midlands Results
    • WIN Steve Blackford, Arizona State, 4-2
    WIN Eric Siebert, Illinois, 9-7
  • 1997 National Wrestling Coaches Assn Classic (150 lbs), Clarion, PA, February 3
    • Lill Lacure, Michigan
  • 2nd in 1996 Midlands Championship (150 lbs), December
  • Midlands Results
    • WIN Chad Baily, unattached, 3-2
    WIN injury default
    WIN Jim Harshaw, Virginia, 12-4
    LOSS Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa
  • 1st in 1996 Big 8 (150 lbs.)
    • WIN Biff Jones, Oklahoma, 4-3 sd
  • 2nd in 1995 University Nationals
  • 4th in 1995 Midlands Championship (150 lbs), Evanston, IL, December
  • 1st in 1995 Las Vegas Invitational, December
  • Iowa State Wrestlers Dominate at Las Vegas Invitational
  • 1st (tie) in 1992 Pittsburgh Classic (135 lbs)
  • Pittsburgh Classic Results
    • DRAW Cary Kolat, Jefferson-Morgan, 4-4
  • 5th in 1991 Junior Nationals
  • 2nd in 1990 Cadet Nationals

    • Collegiate Career
    Attended Iowa State University, coached by Bobby Douglas
    4 year letter winner
    3-time All-American
    3rd on all-time career wins list

  • Division 1 College Team of the 90's

  • 2nd in 1997 NCAA Championships, Northern Iowa Univ, Cedar Falls, IA, March 20-22 (Seeded #2)
  • 1997 NCAA Tournament Stats
  • 1997 NCAA 150 lb Bracket
  • February 1997 Cyclone Senior Wrestlers Eyeing NCAAs
    • WIN Michael Douglas, ASU, fall, 5:44
    WIN Craig Welk, Cal SLO, 25-10, 6:32
    WIN Eric Siebert, Illinois, 10-2
    WIN Scott Norton, Oregon, 4-2, sd
    LOSS Lincoln McIravy, Iowa, 5-3 ot
  • 1st in 1997 Big 12 Tournament, Columbia, MO
    • WIN Ryan Bauer, Nebraska, 21-7
    WIN Rod Jones, OU, 13-5, md
  • January 1997 Bono Earnes Big 12 Honors
  • 1996-97 Iowa State Articles
  • Bono, McIlravy Head of Class
  • 1996-7 Cyclone Wrestling Complete Season
  • December 1996 Showdown at 150 1996-7 Competition
  • December 1996 Midlands Tournament- 2nd place
  • 1st in 1996 NCAA Champion, Minneapolis, MN, March 21-23
  • Bono Wins NCAA Championship
  • Bono Wins National Title, Cyclones Finish Second
  • Bono Leads Wrestlers to 2nd Place NCAA Finish
    • WIN Chad Kraft, MN 8-0
    Finals: WIN 6-3
    Charlie Becks, Senior, Ohio St (33-6) vs Chris Bono, Junior, Iowa St (36-4)
    1st period: TD Bono 2:50; E Becks 1:00; W Becks 0:02. Bono leads 2-1.
    2nd period: Becks takes bottom. E Becks 1:47; TD Bono 1:13; E Becks 0:34; Bono leads 4-3.
    3rd period: Bono takes bottom. E Bono 1:43; 1RT Bono. Bono wins 6-3.
  • 1st in 1996 Big 8 Championships (Seeded #2)
  • Big 8 Championships- Results
    • WIN Kraft, Nebraska, 22-11, md
    WIN Jones, Oklahoma, 4-3
  • November 1995 ISU Wrestling Has New Attitude
  • 5th in 1995 NCAA Championships, March (Seeded #5)
  • NCAA 150 lb Place Winners
  • NCAA Team and Individual Stats

    • High School

  • Competed for The Bolles School, coached by Matt Morris
  • The Bolles School
  • Three-time Florida state high school champion, 1990-92
  • 4th in the state in 1987 and 1989
  • Also participated in football and baseball

    • Special Awards

  • 3-time outstanding wrestler at the University Nationals, 1996-98
  • 2-time outstanding wrestler at the Sunkist Kids International Open, 1997, 1999