Legendary Jenks coach to retire
Jenks football coach Allan Trimble is set to announce his retirement Thursday as he continues his battle with ALS.
Jaryn Curry credits the lucky duck.
Not for Choctaw's success, that came through hard work. But he thanks the plastic duck that made its way to every Choctaw match this season for the reminder to have fun.
After losing the team title to Broken Arrow in 2017, Curry and his Choctaw teammates said they wanted to refocus. They wanted to reclaim the Class 6A championship, but they wanted to have fun while doing it.
That’s where the lucky duck comes in.
“Somebody had a decoy mallard in their truck,” Curry said. “Somehow it wound up somebody’s bag and then it wound up in a team picture after we won a match.
“Then we never left without it.”
Choctaw re-claimed the Class 6A title, taking revenge against Broken Arrow by defeating the defending champs 138129.5 at the state tournament. They also took home the dual state title and were crowned academic champs for Class 6A.
And Curry, who claimed his third straight individual title and finished with a 43-2 record, was there to lead the way.
Curry said it took a change in mindset to accomplish every goal Choctaw set at the beginning of the year.
“You have to enjoy this sport,” Curry said. “It’s such a grind and such a tough sport.
“We found joy in being around each other and watching each other succeed.”
Curry, who is The Oklahoman’s All-City Wrestler of the Year, said the loss to Broken Arrow last year re-focused his team.
When Choctaw won it all in 2016, the program’s first title in 17 years, they had been the surprise team nobody saw coming.
But in 2017, Curry said they felt the target on their backs, but nobody felt ready to take a leadership role.
“I remember thinking, I’ve gotta take the reins next year,” Curry said. “I knew somebody needed to step up and lead.”
Curry said he turned his intensity level up in practice, and challenged other guys on the team to do the same.
“I just wanted to dominate everybody,” Curry said.
“I wanted to move up in my wrestling and not just beat people but tech or major people. That was a big mindset change for me.”
After committing to Oklahoma before the season, Curry said announcing his college choice helped him wrestle more loose and free.
“I stopped being worried about the results,” Curry said. “Knowing that I was set, it allowed me to just go out there and do what I’ve done since I was just a kid.”
With his eyes on the future, Curry said he’s thinking he might have to bring the lucky duck to Norman as he sets his goals now on helping tilt the balance of Bedlam wrestling toward the Sooners.
“I’m so geared up,” Curry said. “OSU has owned it for a bit now, but I wanna go get a win in Gallagher and get that rivalry back on track.”