The Duncan Middle School wrestling team is continuing its season with new coaches and some big changes.
Many wrestlers are saying this season already feels different from last year’s season.
The coaches for wrestling this year are Eddie Mullins and Cheyenne Barrier.
Barrier, who is the new coach for the girls wrestlers, has been involved in wrestling her whole life. She grew up playing and said she started coaching because girls wrestling is becoming more popular around the world.
This is her third year coaching and her first year at DMS. She said she wants her team to reach a higher level.
“I want the girls to learn discipline and have more confidence in themselves,” Barrier said. “If they work hard now, we’ll see the results later and won’t be disappointed.”
Some wrestlers are having a hard time adjusting to the new expectations.
Jaidan Ellison, a seventh-grade wrestler, said this season has been a big challenge for her so far.
“It’s honestly really hard,” Ellison said. “Coach Barrier pushes us way harder than I’m used to and the practices are much more tiring. I’m still trying to get used to it.”
Ellison explained that conditioning is the hardest part for her, and that the coach expects 100 percent effort all the time.
Not everyone feels this way.
Another seventh-grader Marcus Bowens likes the new coaches.
“I really like them,” Bowens said. “They’re funny, but they are also a lot more strict and hardcore. I think it will be good for us since we are trying to win the state.”
Even with mixed feelings from the wrestlers, the team agrees that this season is going to be intense.
Barrier said she is excited to see how far the athletes can go. With hard work, determination and new coaches, the team hopes this year will be a good one.
