Class 6A Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association Boys Wrestler of the Year
Tom Behrens – Katy’s Jeremy Manibog is All-Greater Houston Boys Wrestler of the Year and recognized as Class 6A Texas High School Wrestling Coaches Association Boys Wrestler of the Year.
Jeremy Manibog closed his junior wrestling season with a silver medal at the University Interscholastic League state tournament. It was his best finish at the time, but the loss in the 145-pound final served as motivation.
“It made me super hungry,” said Manibog. “Every time I felt tired, I thought of that match, how close I was. I don’t want to feel that feeling again. It was a good run last year, but as a senior I really had to get it done.”
In 2023 Manibog swept the District 19-6A and Region III-6A championships, helping the Tigers to the top the boys standings in both. It was their ninth straight regional crown.
“That was awesome,” Manibog said. “Nine in a row is a pretty big streak, running the region. Katy isn’t called home of champions for a reason.”
The success continued at state, with Juan Pablo Garcia and Rodney Trotter reaching state finals, and Connor Timmons and Dimitrios Katsigiannis making all-state as Katy placed fourth in the boys standings. Abby Fonseca led the Katy girls with a bronze medal.
Manibog provided the individual highlight, giving Katy a state champion for the sixth time in seven years.
It turned out to be his final high school defeat, as the Katy standout turned in a perfect senior season at 45-0.
Manibog returned to state matches in the 165 class and advanced with 10-5, 3-1 and 5-1 decisions before a first-period pin against McKinney Boyd’s Cameron Girard secured a coveted gold medal.
“It’s the culmination of everything,” Katy coach Vinnie Lowe said. “You know he’s worked hard enough. You know he’s talented enough. But the reality is winning a state title comes down to being the best guy at the tournament on a specific day.”
Coach Lowe said he could see Manibog’s confidence growing as the season progressed, and through the state tournament. “I think he knew, stepping out on the mat for the finals, that he was going to walk away with his hand being raised.”
Manibog became Katy High School’s 16th state wrestling champion. The select group includes Daniel Manibog, Jeremy’s older brother who won three consecutive state titles beginning in 2017. Daniel recently completed his junior season in the 157 pound class at Oklahoma State University.
The brothers developed through Katy Area Wrestling Club and KT 3 Style, building a relationship with Lowe along the way even before competing in high school.
“He’s (Coach Lowe) always been super supportive, even when I wasn’t in the program,” Manibog said. “Spring break or winter break practices he’d have me and Connor (Timmons) in the room, seeing what it’s like, even though we weren’t high schoolers yet. Just getting used to that Katy mindset, that intensity, really helps.”
“I think the first time Jeremy’s dad contacted me was around 2009,” Lowe said. “We got the kids together in a room, they learned about wrestling and had some fun. We started working from there. It’s going to be interesting not having a Manibog in the program.”
The Manibogs combined for seven state finishes, the exception being 2021 as Jeremy missed his sophomore postseason due to COVID. He competed in the 113 class as a freshman, placing fifth before moving up to the 145 class. He nearly placed at the USMC/USAW Junior and Cadet Nationals prior to a 46-5 junior season.
Besides wrestling, Jeremy played outside linebacker on the varsity Katy Tiger football team and was a pole jumper on the varsity Track and Field team. Manibog did not start his senior wrestling season until December, helping the Katy football team to a 14-1 record and state semifinal appearance. He still won four regular season wrestling tournaments, including the highly-competitive Texas Outlaw, hosted by Allen High School.
“Jeremy’s a rare breed,” Lowe said. “We haven’t had too many kids that have done both later on in their career. We’ve had kids that have done football and wrestling in ninth grade. By 10th grade they start to figure out which one best suits them. Jeremy made the decision to stay with football through his senior year.
I think it’s great. I played football through my senior year. I think the two- and three-sport athletes are kind of fading away and it’s nice to see them come back.”
Coach Lowe has played a big role in Katy Wrestling prowess. He has more than 500 career wins. Three times he has been named Texas Coach of the Year (Girls 2009, Boys in 2016 and 2018) and was named Region Coach of the Year 10 times. In addition, Coach Lowe is an eleven-time district coach of the year.
Coach Lowe has coached 18 state champions individually.
He was named the 2021 National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High School Coaches at the UIL Wrestling Championships this past month
What’s next for Jeremy Manibog?
At the end of April, he will be wrestling in the USA Wresting national level tournament in Los Vegas, wrestling in U20 class that will include some first and second year college wrestlers. “My brother is going to be wrestling there in 23s, so that should be fun.”
Manibog is currently checking out several colleges, two of them being Oklahoma State University and Central Michigan University. “Ultimately, the choice comes down to what is best for my family.”
Coach Lowe summed up the 2023 Katy High School wrestling season. “They worked hard; they did what they needed to do. When you get to the end, things come together, and they really did this year.”