Bobcats Dedicate Will Gudger Locker Room

On the night of November 1st, 2018 the Bobcat Wrestling Nation came together for a time of honor, memories, and the desire for current and future athletes to never forget. These athletes can now see the history of Bobcat wrestling and with every match honor and continue the legacy of those from the past.

Spearheading the efforts, Mark Waddell took a comment from his son Matthew and ran with it.  Waddell with help from several others received the go-ahead from school officials to start the project.  These parents and fans of Gilmer Wrestling dedicated their time and skills to take the upstairs room and through hard work made it into a useful locker room and a shrine of sorts to those that have made the program what it is today.

Each and every time the athletes walk in the door they will be reminded of the history, hard work and dedication that is Bobcat Wrestling.  News clippings and photos fill every wall from youth involvement to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.   On that day there were smiles as former greats and their families walked through and memories of those that are no longer with us.  The namesake for the locker room is Will Gudger.  Will tragically lost his life in a car accident in November 2016.  Gudger was a 2015 graduate of Gilmer High School and a member of the Bobcat Wrestling program.  Noah Harris is also honored as part of the history that fills the new locker room.  Harris graduated from Gilmer with State Champion credentials and Captain of the football team in his pocket.  Though Harris was confident he was never cocky.  This gentle-hearted soul had family and friends collect beanie babies to give to the Iraqi children as he served in the United States Army.  The ultimate sacrifice was given by Harris on June 18, 2005, after an attack by enemy forces.

Coach Josh Ghobadpoor and his staff are not only preparing the athletes for a match on the mats but they also continue the tradition of former coach Sam Snider in preparing these young men for life after high school.  With 17 state titles, the wrestling program speaks for itself and continued hard work will produce even more.  Best of luck to the current and future Bobcats as they take to the mats.  For the former Bobcats, thank you for your dedication to making Gilmer Wrestling what it is today.