Scaring the Competition-Wrestling Team works at Haunted House to pay for gear

Natasa Dobras, Staff Writer|October 17, 2017

Cailey Dinga

Madison Owensby, Cady Munselle, Cailey Dinga get ready to work the haunted house.

In the gym, on the mat, and behind a scary mask. That is currently the life of each member on the wrestling team.

For the Halloween season, the wrestling team has begun working at the Amarillo Scaregrounds in order to pay for wrestling gear. The money each wrestler receives during working hours is all collected into a fund that will pay for the gear this season. Not every single wrestler is required to work, but the majority of wrestlers are working every Friday or Saturday night, and some are even working both nights every week.

“The more money you earn the more your gear is paid for,” junior Cailey Dinga said. “You are working to pay off gear you can use throughout every wrestling session you go through.”

In previous years, the team worked at the Amarillo Scaregrounds and Farmaggedon. The goal is to raise about $200 per person this year working at the Scaregrounds.

“We work in the basement,” Dinga said. “Most of us are pushing coffins while others are working inside the haunt.”

According to sophomore Jadyn Heaton, first time workers have their jobs chosen for them while returning workers have the ability to chose their own job. Heaton said the team can complete any task as long as they stay focused together.

“Working at the Scaregrounds has brought me closer to my team members,” Heaton said. “We are all learning how to work more efficiently so we all have to work together.”

Dinga said the team spends on average about six hours together during work days. During these workdays, Dinga said the worst part about working is by the time midnight comes around, she and her team members are exhausted.

“It helps the bond,” Dinga said. “It’s a lot of fun working with newer teammates I haven’t gotten the chance to hang out with.”

Heaton said the best part about working the job for him is scaring people because it is fun and exciting. Alongside this, Heaton said he would encourage other teams to work a job together.

“It has helped me realize that money doesn’t come without hard work,” Heaton said. “It teaches moral values too.”