The girls and boys wrestling teams had their senior night this week when they faced the Gretna Dragons. It recognized the seniors, and for the girls team specifically Piper Zatechka and Zoey Barber. The seniors have a big influence on the team as they are seen as leaders and younger wrestlers can rely and look up to them.
Zatechka has been on the team since freshman year, but is unfortunately not able to compete this season due to an ACL injury. Although not being able to compete she still went on the mat and got her hand raised for the last time at Westside. She is recently committed to Lehigh University where she will be wrestling. Zatechka shared what emotions she faced being out her senior season.
“Missing out on my senior season definitely sucks, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” Zatechka said. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve had to go through at this point in my life, but facing adversity is important for personal development and growth. At the end of the day, all I can worry about is what I can control. I’m able to focus on recovery while still helping out with the team.”
Barber was crowned state champion last year and is a hopeful for another gold going into the state championship. Barber transferred her sophomore year with her sister and has been with Westside ever since. She also just recently committed to Iowa Central Community College for wrestling. Barber explained how wrestling shaped her as a person.
“Wrestling has shaped me into the person I am today by changing the way I eat and sleep,” Barber said. “It also shaped me into how positive I am as a person.”
Having one of the team’s best wrestlers out for the season can be tough on the athlete and team to go through. Head coach Bob Mulligan explained what challenges Zatechka has had overcome, especially being out her senior season with an injury, and how has she dealt with her challenges while still showing up for her team.
“Having a season ending injury before your senior season even starts is incredibly tough,” Mulligan said. “But Piper’s courage has shined through and she has emerged into a new leadership role still being a great captain to our team. Her positivity has been unmatched and we are lucky to have her.”
Wrestling is a high intensity sport that takes a lot of dedication and time. Zatechka has been with the team when it started with only three girls, up to now where there are now around 25. She shared how wrestling shaped her as a person.
“Wrestling has been a huge defining factor for my growth as a person,” Zatechka said. “It’s taught me so many lessons and skill sets. Not only am I a better wrestler and leader, but I feel like I’m a better, more well-rounded person thanks to wrestling.”
Barber has been successful in the sport of wrestling for a long time, and has gone through many valuable experiences. She expressed what advice she would give to younger wrestlers on the team and wrestlers in general.
“The advice I would give is to be themselves,” Barber said. “I would also say not to be afraid to mess up.”
Head girls wrestling coach Bob Mulligan has been coaching the girls ever since they joined the team. He has shaped girls into successful athletes and expressed what makes Zatechka and Barber special and how they have grown throughout the program.
“These two have been amazing for our program,” Mulligan said. Piper is the last of the OG’s of our girls wrestling program, and Zoey came in as a sophomore. They both are huge reasons why our program has grown into the premier program in the state.”
Even as Zatechka will be wrestling after high school, being in the sport with your classmates having a tight knit bond can hold a special place in your heart. Zatechka shared what she will miss the most about high school wrestling.
“High school wrestling is definitely super fun and I’ll miss my teammates here at Westside,” Zatechka said. “I’ll also miss all the support from the community that the program has received.”
Barber has had a unique experience with transferring schools, but she also expressed what she will most miss about high school wrestling.
“One thing I will miss the most are the team’s inside jokes,” Barber said.
Barber has significantly contributed to the team, and was one of the key athletes to lead them to the state championship title last season. Coach Mulligan expressed what impact Barber has had on the team and younger wrestlers.
“Zoey has had a great impact, Mulligan said. “She is a workhorse who is a phenomenal wrestler, definitely a nice person for the younger generation to look up to.”
With the season wrapping up soon Zatechka looked back and shared her favorite memory from her time on the team from freshman year to now.
“It’s hard to pick just one memory, but looking back over the past four years with this program the best part is watching it grow,” Zatechka said. “When I started here freshman year, it was just Regan and I, and now we have a team of around 20 total girls which is so crazy to me. I’m so grateful to have helped and been a part of that growth and our program’s success.”
Barber also shared her favorite memory from her time on the team when she transferred to now.
“My favorite memory is being able to practice with my sister everyday,” Barber said.
The relationship between coaches and athletes is special and they build that bond for up to four years together. Coach Mulligan expressed what advice he gives Barber and Zatechka as they move forward, and how he thinks they will be remembered in the program.
“The old saying is ‘leave it better than you found it’ and these two have exemplified that,” Mulligan said. “We wouldn’t be where we are without these two and it has been an absolute joy to be their coach.”
