By Trina Walker
Behind the scenes of every team are the managers maintaining order to keep things running smoothly. Gabby Duran has always been a manager for the boys’ wrestling team at Collinsville High School. With the growth of girls’ wrestling, Duran will manage both teams in her senior year.
“I am passionate about wrestling because I love supporting the wrestlers, keeping everyone organized and watching them win!” Duran exclaims.
The biggest challenge in being a wrestling manager is seeing someone upset after losing a match in which they gave their best efforts.
“I overcome this by trying to be encouraging after giving them time to cool off,” she says. “Win or lose, everyone is always there for each other as a team and we never fail to lift one another up!”
A life lesson she learned from wrestling is that the amount of effort put into something is the outcome one will receive. The best reward is seeing her team’s hard work pay off.
The work of a manager, says Duran, is simple yet fun.
“We spend a lot of time doing countless loads of laundry, cleaning the mats and making sure all of our necessities are accounted for on the days of tournaments. We have to make sure the wrestlers have their bags, singlets, shoes and headgear each weekend.
Her favorite memory is of a job the coaches assigned the managers to take care of. Using only hand towels, they were left in charge of removing all the powder from the new mats. Making tasks fun is a part of managing that she enjoys.
“I would like to say thank you to each of the coaches and wrestlers for the best years!” Duran exclaimed.
The teammate leaving the biggest impression is Ashtyn Gilkey.
“Ashtyn was the first girl in Collinsville to go and place at state,” she says.
Duran is inspired by the example set by her parents. She aspires to be like them, earning what she has through hard work.
After high school, Duran plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and become a dental hygienist.
