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SPORTS | FRIDAY HARBOR | WOLVERINE WRESTLING |
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Email this page to a friend Related StoriesFriday Harbor wrestlers 'kick butt'; 9 to compete in Mat Classic Region I Class A/B Championship results Photos (Third page of coverage of regionals Wolverine wrestlers pin down 1st league crown Second page of photos 2003 League meet First page of photos 2003 League meet | |||
Wrestling bonds Banry "family"
Story and photos by Matt Pranger posted 02/20/03
" Wrestling tends to be a family thing," says Friday Harbor Athletic Director Cal Johnson. A high-school wrestler's mom, dad, brothers or sisters often spend a Saturday, sometimes an entire weekend supporting him and his team. A wrestling coach's family usually plays a similar role. Wives perform the role of " team mother" and sons and daughters tumble with the big brothers and sisters of their extended family during practice. Meets become reunions of a sort. " I haven't seen it exist in any other sport," notes Johnson, who's been involved in the activity on many different levels, including as the media coordinator for the state meet. " It's an up-close and personal sport."
Friday Harbor's wrestling family reflects this. Head coach Gordy Banry and his wife Deanna are a coaching team. Gordy leads the practices and is the main source of technical guidance at meets and Deanna enthusiastically voices encouragement. She occasionally coaches solo or with assistant coach Shane Rollins when two Wolverines are wrestling simultaneously in tournaments. " Deanna definitely puts her time in," says Gordy. " She keeps everything organized. She makes sure these guys are on top of their paperwork." A first-time visitor to the Banrys' home might think Gordy and Deanna have half a dozen more children than their four -- Britt, Clayton, Sammy and Lindsey. " They're family," Deanna says of the Friday Harbor regularly-visiting wrestlers. " Usually somebody shows up every weekend at the house," Gordy says. " It's pretty cool," Deanna adds. The wrestlers appreciate being able to hang with their coaches and their children. " Gordy and Deanna, they're always there for you," says sophomore Andrea Champlin. " Their dedication is incredible. They treat everybody like family." Bev Champlin says the wrestlers consider the Banry residence like a second home. " They (the Banrys) treat the wrestlers as if they are their own kids," Bev says. " Of anybody I know, they really deserve a pat on the back," Bev adds. " They're dedicated, hard-working, loving.... They genuinely care about each and every one of the kids. They teach by their own actions." Bev especially appreciates a mentor role Deanna is providing for her daughter. " She's a role model for Andrea.... Every mother should have a Deanna in her daughter's life." Several wrestlers -- including some long graduated from Friday Harbor and a few who live off-island -- stop by the Banry's home in the off-season. A few of the grads helped them with a remodeling project last summer but most of the time they just have fun. " Last summer we played capture the flag until 4 a.m.," Deanna says. " That was awesome. That was probably one of the most fun things I've done in a long time." Every team is special in some way. " There's a different personality from season to season," Gordy says. This year's team's specialty is unity. " They're just a tight group," Deanna says. There's bound to be some emotional clashes in a sport that pits two people against each other but there's been little, if any, conflict between this year's wrestlers. " They are really supportive of one another," Deanna says. The Banry children have grown up on the mats cheering on, hugging and tumbling with the brothers and sisters of their extended family. " Wrestling has always been part of their life. They don't know any different," Deanna says. Deanna and Gordy joke about their youngest child coming right into wrestling. " Lindsey was born into it," Deanna says. " She was born on a Sunday, thank goodness because Gordy was back at practice on Monday." The Banry children don't mind sacrificing their evenings and weekends for the team and aren't surprised when they hear at suppertime: " It's cereal night again." " We have those a lot during wrestling season," Deanna says.
Gordy and Deanna's younger children have even more to cheer about this year: Their oldest brother Britt advanced to the state meet in his first year of varsity action. Their parents have been even more thrilled watching the 145-pound freshman grapple. " It's definitely been exciting watching my son wrestle," Gordy says. " It's been awesome," Deanna says. " I have to remind myself to breath." Britt will be a competing member of the Friday Harbor wrestling family three more years. After he graduates their might be another Banry taking to the purple and gold mat. Lindsey, 10, wants to wrestle. she sees herself " pretty much a tomboy. I think it (wrestling) is fun. I know a lot about wrestling too. I'm really flexible and strong, so I think I'm really built for this sport." Gordy might be the head of the Friday Harbor wrestling family's father when his daughter competes at the high school level. " I love doing it. I'll probably do it a long time more." |
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