Sophomore Gabby Price has worked her way from JV to the varsity wrestling team and placed at state all within two seasons. Price started wrestling at age 14, and was a freshman on the JV team. She has now has competed in her first state championship where she placed sixth in the 125 pound category. Price shared what initially got her into wrestling.
“I got into wrestling when I was 14 in freshman year because it’s something that just seemed really interesting to me,” Price said. “As well as it was an individual sport.”
Being a wrestler and placing on the podium at state shows many characteristics of how compete on the mat, but it is just as important how you carry yourself off the mat as well. This is the second year head coach Bob Mulligan and Price have worked together. Coach Mulligan explained how Price stands out as a wrestler on and off the mat.
“Gabby stands out because she is an incredibly hard worker,” Mulligan said. “She is also super coachable.”
All wrestlers are different on how to shake off their pre-match nerves. Before your match is the time to get yourself together and be focused while still not working yourself up too much. Having a ritual can be peaceful as wrestlers compete multiple matches in one day. Price expressed what her pre-match ritual was during this season.
“My pre-match rituals were to listen to music and stretch really good,” Price said. “And also I like to drill my favorite moves.”
Wrestlers face many challenges on the mat. Whether it’s against their own opponent or challenges within themselves they have to use quick thinking to try and solve whatever obstacle is ahead of them. Coach Mulligan shared how Price handles challenges on the mat.
“She handles challenges head on,” Mulligan said. “She learns from her mistakes and she has no fear.”
The season came to a close on a positive note for Price. She has improved a lot compared to her freshman season, and it showed in performances that she put in the work during the off season. While it was a great season for Price it doesn’t mean she wasn’t faced with obstacles along the way. Price explained how she felt she did during the season and what were her challenges.
“Now that the season ended I feel like there was a great season, and a season that was full of accomplishments, and the coaches were always there,” Price said. “My challenges this season were to stay disciplined throughout the whole time and never skip a practice, and to always work as hard as I could to reach my goals.”
With hard work and dedication many wrestlers can reach their full potential and reach what goals they set for themselves. Price still has two high school seasons ahead of her and coach Mulligan expressed what he sees for her in the future of wrestling.
“The sky’s the limit,” Mulligan said. “She was 3-12 last year and was mainly on JV, and this year she went 30-22 and placed 6th at state. If she keeps making those strides she can accomplish anything.”
It was already seen in this season’s outcome that Price was putting in the work during the off season. Now that her second high school season has come to an end she has more time and she shared what her goals are for the next season and how she will spend her time in the off season.
“My goals for next season is to have a good record, taking all wins and to be a state champion,” Price said. “But in the meantime I will still be wrestling for club, Nebraska Wrestling Academy. As well as conditioning and competing in tournaments.”
Not only was Price’s improvement seen by outsiders, but the person who would know the most about her progress is her own coach. Coach Mulligan is an attentive coach and has made state champions at Westside. He was with her at every practice and tournament. Coach Mulligan explained how she has improved throughout the season.
“She got better every time she stepped on the mat,” Mulligan said. “She was wrestling her best at the end of the season which is what we always talk about.”
