Team Managers: The Unspoken Heroes of Wrestling

Wrestling: a sport filled with intensity, strength, and strategy. But what goes on behind the scenes? Here at FGHS, our wrestling team is held up intact in many ways, but there’s no denying that the people that keep our team organized the most are our wrestling managers. The team has eight dedicated managers that take on important roles in events, and chores during practices.

While the wrestlers are practicing hard to prepare for competition, the managers are working behind the scenes to make sure that everything is organized, and that the gear is ready for the next event. The gear (singlets, sweatshirts, and warm up shirts and shorts) is washed, the laundry room and wrestling room are swept, attendance is taken, as well as many other tasks during practices. During events like tournaments and duals, the managers help out by working tables and scoring matches.

A few of the managers were interviewed and talked about themselves and their roles as team managers.

Michelle Villanueva is a senior this year, and this is her first year as a wrestling manager. Outside of school and wrestling, she attends a church youth group and is a part of Adelante Mujeres. When asked what her favorite thing about being a manager is, she replied, “Bonding with the other managers and getting to meet new faces.”

Sophomore Jackie Orozco is a wrestling manager this year for the second time. When she’s not at school or wrestling, Jackie is a part of a Mexican Equestrian team. Her favorite subject is science, and her favorite part of managing is, “Tournaments and the team because we’re ‘as one.’”

Jalie Blix is a junior, and this is her third year managing the wrestling team. Aside from wrestling and school, she enjoys writing music, singing, playing her guitar, and drawing. Her favorite part of being a manager is, “Seeing the team come together ‘as one’ just like our slogan. I love getting to know everybody and being a part of such a great program.”

Dakota Gray is also a junior this year, and this season is her first season as a wrestling manager. She loves watching Disney movies and hanging out with her cat outside of school and wrestling. Dakota’s favorite thing about being a manager is, “There’s never a dull moment with the team. Even though we all pick on each other, it’s out of love.”

All eight of the hard-working wrestling managers never fail to get the job done, whatever it may be. Currently, for the remainder of the season, they’re looking forward to helping out at the biggest tournaments of the season: districts and state.