Andrew Garber and Chandler House returned as senior leaders for the Iola wrestling team this season and the two could not have more different personalities.
“Andrew was an example for the guys on the team,” Iola coach Jason Bates said. “Chandler was a good guy, who motivated us, kept us up with his words and just led our team. Those are going to be some pretty hard shoes to fill.”
Garber — Iola’s returning 2015 state-qualifier — is a business-like competitor. The 195-pounder takes the serious workman-like attitude that makes him a great wrestler on the mat and keeps that persona off the mat as well.
Garber is a classic lead-by-example style of leader. He has been wrestling longer than anyone on the team and is the most technically-advanced Mustang.
“It hurts me the most that (Garber) is leaving,” junior Tavon Blazek said.
House, meanwhile, serves as the vocal leader of the team. He keeps his teammates loose with his demeanor and is quick to encourage them if they have a subpar match.
“Ever since he came out last year he has been leading this team,” Bates said.
House joined the team last year and although he had a poor junior season record-wise on the mat, he stuck it out and this season finished just one match short of a state-berth.
“Chandler is the leader of our team,” Blazek said.
As teammates tend to do the pair of leaders began to take qualities from one another. Never was this more evident than during the state tournament trip this weekend.
Despite just missing out on qualifying in his own right, House made the trip and was in his teammates’ corner next to the coaches every match. He would videotape the matches for the coaches and then talk to his teammates after they finished regardless of the result.
House served as an extra coach for the team the entire trip.
Garber — the only repeat qualifier for Iola — also had a noticeable change during the trip and his teammates took notice.
“I got to room with (Garber),” Blazek said. “I thought it was going to be boring, but it was really fun. He opened up and I got to meet a different Garber.”
Together House and Garber teamed to lead the program to great heights this season.
A year ago, the Mustangs finished the season qualifying just one wrestler for state.
