John Garvens, Owner & Head Instructor
John Garvens is the owner and head instructor of Freeport Martial Arts. He grew up in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in May 2003. John earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois State University.
In March 2004, John enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a trombone player, serving in the 85th Army Band for 12 years. While serving, he completed the Basic Combatives (Level 1) Trainer Course.
John began his study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in April 2011. His instructors include Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros, Lyndon Viteri, Mike Cimmarusti, Idriz Redzovic, Adem Redzovic, Brick Welch, Jordan Wilson, and Solomon Dixon.
John is a Brown Belt under Adem Redzovic, a 4th Degree Black Belt. Adem is the owner and head instructor of the Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club in Chicago, Illinois.
John lives in Freeport, Illinois, with his dog, Summer. In addition to owning and running Freeport Martial Arts, he works as the owner and principal architect of Garvens Consulting. John’s hobbies include reading, writing, and performing music.
Nakoa Haight, Head Coach
Nakoa Haight is the head coach of the Freeport Pretzels Wrestling Club. He grew up in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in June 1997. Nakoa attended Rock Valley College for an apprenticeship program in the manufacturing industry and earned his welding certificate at Highland Community College.
Nakoa has been a wrestling coach for six years, coaching IKWF and IESA, respectively, and football for three years. He also ran a Cub Scout pack for a decade; his 19-year-old son became an Eagle Scout.
Nakoa learned to wrestle while attending the Boys & Girls Club in the early 1990s and wrestled at Freeport High School under Ron Hatfield, Jay Castro, Tony Alber, and Jeff Leuders.
Since coaching Harlem Middle School, Coach Haight has had eight state qualifiers, a fourth-place state finisher, six regional champions, and over twenty sectional qualifiers in only three seasons.
Nakoa lives in Machesney Park, Illinois, with his son Izaak. He enjoys fishing, camping, hiking, boating, and being a father.