“Gunnar is a senior leader that goes above and beyond for the team and his coaches. He will go any weight asked of him whether it’s going up or down a weight class. He’s willing to pick his teammates up for rides and ensure everyone is there. He’s there for the team,” said coach Kydel Billy.
We caught up with Gunnar to learn more about this young man and what it means to him to be considered the unsung hero of the team.
VYPE: What do you love most about this team and your teammates?
Spence: My team lives by a three-word phrase we have posted on the room, Iron Sharpens Iron. We may be more on the beginner side since we have a lot of first year wrestlers but every day there’s improvement.
VYPE: What is your favorite subject in school, and do you have a favorite teacher?
Spence: I’ve always liked English, and my favorite teacher would have to be Ms. Rachel Morris.
VYPE: Who has been a big influence on you, on or off the mat?
Spence: In my wrestling life it would have to be Coach Rollins. He’s helped me make leaps and bounds in my technique and overall wrestling ability.
VYPE: What does it mean to you to hear coach call you the unsung hero of the team?
Spence: I like to be a lead by example kind of person. Every time we compete, I give 100 percent and hope to see my teammates follow suit. Even if it’s in practice and I’m wrestling my teammates, I’ll talk about a move I hit that they didn’t know how to counter or just talk to everyone and see how their practice was.
