As the wrestling season comes to an end, it’s important to recognize the varsity managers who have worked behind the scenes all year long. While the spotlight often shines on the athletes stepping onto the mat, much of the team’s success is built on the dedication of those working off it.
For junior Ella Beattie, wrestling has always been part of her life. “My brothers have been wrestling since I was probably seven years old,” she said. With her father coaching and her brothers competing, she grew up around the sport before officially becoming a manager in eighth grade. Now in her third year with the high school program, Beattie understands how much responsibility comes with the role.
“We get stuff ready for meets, we do all the stats, we find film, we film all their matches,” she said. “We do most of the behind the scenes that most people wouldn’t really see.”
Macy Inman, a second-year manager, was introduced to wrestling in fifth grade when her brother started competing. She began managing in ninth grade and quickly realized the job required more organization and effort than many people assume.
“We do a lot of behind the scenes work like filming, doing stats, packing everything for tournaments,” Inman said. She also wishes people better understood their role. “We don’t clean the floors. We do the business part.”
Similarly,Tatum Koetter became a manager in eighth grade after her brother joined the team. Now in her second year with the high school program, she helps coordinate communication, organize materials, and ensure everything runs smoothly.
“A lot of people don’t realize that we do a lot of the background work,” Koetter said. “None of it’s really hard it’s just a lot of time consuming work.”
That time and effort paid off this past weekend when four wrestlers qualified for state, a milestone moment for the team. Beattie described it as “a really proud moment,” while Inman said she was proud to see the wrestlers’ work ethic pay off.
As the season closes, what the managers say they’ll miss most isn’t just the matches, but the friendships built throughout the year. From long tournaments to daily practices, their time together created memories beyond wrestling.
In the final week of the season, while athletes prepare for their last matches, the managers continue doing what they have done all year, supporting, organizing, and leading behind the scenes. Their names may not be announced before a match, but their impact is felt in every victory.
Because in wrestling, success doesn’t only happen on the mat it happens behind it too.
