Junior High Coaching Staff

Jon Carey

Jon
Carey

Jon Carey graduated in 1998 from Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, Illinois.  There Carey was a participant of several sports. His wrestling team placed third in the state duals twice, while Jon placed third individually at the state tournament his senior year. Carey went on to wrestle at Upper Iowa University for four years and was a team captain his senior year.  He graduated with a teaching degree from Upper Iowa University in 2003.

Jon taught in the South Winneshiek Community School District where he served as a special education teacher, athletic director, and middle school wrestling coach.  Since 2006, Jon has taught Junior High Social Studies at the Independence Junior/Senior High School and has been involved in the wrestling program at different levels.  Carey was part of the 2009 Iowa Class 2A Coach of the Year Staff. Jon was more recently awarded the 2020 Iowa Class 2A Junior High Coach of the Year by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.  Currently, Jon is coaching the Junior High wrestling team, the Indee Mat Club wrestling program, and other sports his children are involved in. Jon resides in Independence with his wife Brook, daughter Claire, and son Adam.


Garry Anderson

Garry
Anderson

Garry Anderson was a graduate of East Buchanan High School. While in high school, Garry was a 4-time conference champion and placed 6th in the state at 112 lbs in 1992. Garry also participated in football while at EB. In 1993, he was a 2nd team All-District running back. The Buccaneers made the playoffs in 1990, 1992, and 1994. After high school Garry attended William Penn University and majored in Biology, Environmental Science, and Education.

In the fall of 1998 Garry took his first teaching job at Eddyville High School as a science teacher and middle school wrestling coach. Garry taught and coached at Eddyville for three years before moving to Independence. In 2002, Anderson was hired as the Middle School wrestling coach. Anderson was a part of the 2009 Iowa Class 2A Coach of the year staff, presented by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.  Currently, Garry resides in Independence with his wife Andria and four children Natalee, Summer, Benjamin, and Alec.


Daniel Eschen

Daniel
Eschen

Daniel Eschen was a 2008 graduate of Independence High School. Daniel was part of the 2005 and 2008 state duals teams.  Individually, Daniel placed 6th at USA Folkstyle nationals at 125 lbs his junior year and was a state qualifier his senior year at 119 lbs.  Daniel has been an active coach in the Independence Wrestling program since 2009.  He has coached wrestlers from the high school and St. John’s, but currently focuses his efforts on junior high and mat club.

Daniel has been working for the City of Independence as a water operator since 2009.  He currently resides in Independence with his fiancĂ©, Lyndzi, and their dog, Willow.