Thursday, March 27, 2025
Gatesville High School wrestling captain Brianna Allen has one major goal for the 2024-25 season—to qualify for the state tournament.
The GHS senior has been a regional qualifier here for the last three seasons, and coach Robert Clater, Jr. said that Allen brings a lot to the Hornet wrestling program.
“She is the captain of our team,” Clater said. “Most teams have a boy and girl captain for the respective gendered team, but through her leadership, she is the captain of both. She is human and is often nervous about her match, but when it’s time to go she locks in. The rookies on the team see this and know it’s okay to be nervous but to emulate that mindset of it’s go-time when the match starts.”
As of last weekend Allen, 18, had only one loss on the season and Clater described it as “a hard fought back and forth match,” where she came up just a little short.
“In that one loss, I think if we had to do it again she would be undefeated,” Clater said. “Brie once modestly told me she isn’t even that good, she just always finds a way to win, and I had to tell her that’s what being good is.”
Allen said she feels the season has gotten off to a good start, but said she still sees room for improvement.
“So far, my season is going good,” Allen said. “But, I honestly know that I can do better. I still have a lot to work on in order to improve my wrestling abilities, and, as the season goes on, I will make it my goal to be the best me I can be.”
Allen, who works at Studebakers, serves as Dazzler Lieutenant, and is a member of the PALS program, the NHS Executive Board Treasurer, Class Officer Treasurer, and a member of the Student Council, said she tries to be the type of wrestler who sets a good example.
“When I became captain, I made it my goal to lead my team,” Allen said. “I try to bring encouragement to the wrestlers, especially since wrestling is a very tough sport that many get discouraged in. This season I have helped my peers and guided them the best way I can. I love watching my team compete and I hope my knowledge can help them in the future.”
At times Allen has had her own challenges, like learning to push past her initial fatigue in a match and testing her mental fortitude.
“You never know exactly how far your body can go unless you push yourself to the limits,” Allen said. “Off the mat, the biggest challenge is making the right choices with nutrition and body wellness in order to stay in weight and shape.”
Allen said one of her greatest joys in life comes from helping others, and, in the future, she hopes to become an obstetrics-gynecology nurse practitioner.
She said what drew her to the sport of wrestling was how it made her feel about herself.
“My freshman year I walked by a wrestling practice and saw other wrestlers going through their normal practice,” Allen said. “I decided to try it out and, at first, I was nervous and out of my comfort zone. But as time went on, I found that I became the most confident when I got on the mat. The most appealing part about wrestling is the feeling of winning a match after giving your all.”
Clater is glad that Allen made the decision to join the wrestling, and, like his senior captain said, it is the state tournament or bust in 2025.
“We have the goal of a bout at the state tournament,” Clater said. “Every day she tells me we are going to state, and I believe her.”
For Allen, nothing would make her happier for herself, her team, and, especially, her coach.
“I have found that in these past years being coached by Coach Clater is what has made me so successful in my wrestling seasons,” Allen said. “I hope that I can continue to make him proud during my last year here at Gatesville High School.”
Allen's Favorites:
Favorite Athlete: Kylie Welker
Favorite Sports team: Iowa women’s wrestling team/ Texas Longhorns football team
Favorite Food: Seafood
Favorite Movie: “Princess and the Frog”
Favorite TV Show: Stranger Things
Book Currently Reading or Last Book Read: “Nothing like the movies” - Lynn Painter
Favorite Musical Group or Performer: Alanis Morissette
