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Ada High School head coach Kyle Bohannon has attended numerous state wrestling tournaments since joining the Cougar program in 2007.
But none meant more than this one — the first time he watched his son compete on the sport’s biggest stage.
Bohannon finally had the privilege of watching his son during the 2026 Class 5A State Tournament Feb. 26-28 at the OG&E Coliseum. Injuries prevented Jake from making a run to the state tournament during both his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Kyle Bohannon said it was a bag of mixed emotions watching Jake compete against some of the best wrestlers in the state in the 138-pound division.
“It was a terrific feeling. There was a lot of excitement, but also some sadness knowing it was the last time I would get to watch him compete as an Ada Cougar,” Kyle Bohannon told The Ada News. “After the injuries the last couple of years, just seeing him back on that stage meant a lot. As a dad, you’re proud of the way he fought through adversity and kept working to get back there. While it was the end of one chapter, I know there are greater things still ahead for him.”
Jake Bohannon was joined by teammates Jace Davis and Gage VanHorn at the Class 5A state meet. Makenna Howell competed in the Class 6A girls state tournament.
“Our athletes battled against some of the best competition in the state and represented our program with toughness and pride,” Kyle Bohannon said
Kyle Bohannon was recently selected to coach the 2026 Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State team.
JAKE BOHANNON
138 Pounds
Bohannon fell one match short of a podium finish.
He opened the state tournament with a 12-6 decision over Aiden Hardin of Guthrie before losing a quarterfinal match to eventual state champion Jarrett Patty of Chickasha.
Bohannon bounced back in the consolation bracket, defeating Diesel Baker of El Reno 13-8 in the consolation quarterfinals before being eliminated by Logan Hargrove of Coweta.
“Jake wrestled extremely tough competition and fought hard every match,” Kyle Bohannon said.
MAKENNA HOWELL
145 Pounds
Howell battled for a state title at 145 pounds before falling to standout Emily Beckley of Broken Arrow 9-4 in a competitive championship matchup.
Howell pinned Ayanna Cruz of Shawnee in the first round and advanced to the finals with a 6-2 semifinal victory over Makaylee Cannon of Piedmont.
The Ada senior finishes a stellar prep career as a four-time state tournament qualifier.
“Makenna put together an outstanding tournament and capped off an incredible high school career,” Bohannon said. “She made great adjustments throughout the tournament and competed at a very high level. She’s a three-time state placer, an accomplishment that reflects years of dedication and hard work.”
JACE DAVIS
126 Pounds
Davis suffered a pinfall loss to Darian Chavez of Bishop McGuinness in a 126-pound wrestle-in match.
He finished the season with a 28-10 record.
GAGE VANHORN
Heavyweight
VanHorn, an Ada sophomore, was unable to get untracked against Sirwilliam Morgan of Guthrie and dropped a 7-1 decision in a wrestle-in match.
“I’m proud of the way all these wrestlers represented Ada wrestling. Competing on the state stage takes grit, and these athletes showed the heart and work ethic that our program is built on.”
For Kyle Bohannon, though, this state tournament will always be remembered as the one where he got to watch his son take the mat wearing Ada Cougar maroon.
Continue reading...
But none meant more than this one — the first time he watched his son compete on the sport’s biggest stage.
Bohannon finally had the privilege of watching his son during the 2026 Class 5A State Tournament Feb. 26-28 at the OG&E Coliseum. Injuries prevented Jake from making a run to the state tournament during both his sophomore and junior campaigns.
Kyle Bohannon said it was a bag of mixed emotions watching Jake compete against some of the best wrestlers in the state in the 138-pound division.
“It was a terrific feeling. There was a lot of excitement, but also some sadness knowing it was the last time I would get to watch him compete as an Ada Cougar,” Kyle Bohannon told The Ada News. “After the injuries the last couple of years, just seeing him back on that stage meant a lot. As a dad, you’re proud of the way he fought through adversity and kept working to get back there. While it was the end of one chapter, I know there are greater things still ahead for him.”
Jake Bohannon was joined by teammates Jace Davis and Gage VanHorn at the Class 5A state meet. Makenna Howell competed in the Class 6A girls state tournament.
“Our athletes battled against some of the best competition in the state and represented our program with toughness and pride,” Kyle Bohannon said
Kyle Bohannon was recently selected to coach the 2026 Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State team.
JAKE BOHANNON
138 Pounds
Bohannon fell one match short of a podium finish.
He opened the state tournament with a 12-6 decision over Aiden Hardin of Guthrie before losing a quarterfinal match to eventual state champion Jarrett Patty of Chickasha.
Bohannon bounced back in the consolation bracket, defeating Diesel Baker of El Reno 13-8 in the consolation quarterfinals before being eliminated by Logan Hargrove of Coweta.
“Jake wrestled extremely tough competition and fought hard every match,” Kyle Bohannon said.
MAKENNA HOWELL
145 Pounds
Howell battled for a state title at 145 pounds before falling to standout Emily Beckley of Broken Arrow 9-4 in a competitive championship matchup.
Howell pinned Ayanna Cruz of Shawnee in the first round and advanced to the finals with a 6-2 semifinal victory over Makaylee Cannon of Piedmont.
The Ada senior finishes a stellar prep career as a four-time state tournament qualifier.
“Makenna put together an outstanding tournament and capped off an incredible high school career,” Bohannon said. “She made great adjustments throughout the tournament and competed at a very high level. She’s a three-time state placer, an accomplishment that reflects years of dedication and hard work.”
JACE DAVIS
126 Pounds
Davis suffered a pinfall loss to Darian Chavez of Bishop McGuinness in a 126-pound wrestle-in match.
He finished the season with a 28-10 record.
GAGE VANHORN
Heavyweight
VanHorn, an Ada sophomore, was unable to get untracked against Sirwilliam Morgan of Guthrie and dropped a 7-1 decision in a wrestle-in match.
“I’m proud of the way all these wrestlers represented Ada wrestling. Competing on the state stage takes grit, and these athletes showed the heart and work ethic that our program is built on.”
For Kyle Bohannon, though, this state tournament will always be remembered as the one where he got to watch his son take the mat wearing Ada Cougar maroon.
Continue reading...
