Reyna has been a staple of South Florida wrestling for nearly three decades

Since 2001, Coach Duck has been a pillar of wrestling in South Florida. He started coaching at different wrestling clubs in the Homestead area but decided to strike out on his own with the support of several parents. Gladiator Wrestling was founded in 2006, drawing naming inspiration from the Russell Crowe blockbuster movie that was popular at the time. 

“I loved the whole concept and storyline of the movie,” explained Coach Duck. “I tell the kids there is no way out of wrestling, you’ve got to go through the challenges of it. You have to be a gladiator. We fight to the end; that’s the only way out. And we are here to entertain the people.”

Gladiator wrestling has two mottos: “Never back down, never give up, never lose faith” and “Those who stay will live the lifestyle of a champion.” These mottos provide the foundation for the club culture that Coach Duck has developed over the last 20 years. 

“I’m very family oriented, and I believe that it takes a village to make great kids. Everyone in my room has something special to offer, whether your small, you’re good, you’re bad, you’re the best kid, whatever.  If you’re the best kid, help somebody else out. We are a close-knit community down here.”    

Regarding parents, Coach Duck realizes that every parent wants what is best for their child, but he is wary of the trend on today’s youth wrestlers and parents towards instant gratification, likening parents that club-hop to “dogs trying to chase their tails.”

Explains Reyna, “They must realize there is a process and a journey they must take, and they have to be patient and roll with the punches. If parents allow their wrestler to grow and learn from their mistakes, and resist micromanaging, the sky’s the limit. Parents have to stay parents and realize that just playing that role is a big piece of their child’s success.” 

Coach Duck relates to the experiences of his club parents, having coached his own son Bretli since he was four-and-a-half years old. 

“I traveled with Bretli and my family to many prestigious national tournaments, and I would use these as a measuring stick for my son. I also learned to observe other parents with their children and make notes on things I like and things I would never catch myself doing.” 

In middle school, Bretli started losing his love of the sport. “I started becoming coach at practice and coach at home. Luckily, my wife, Nayme, knocked some sense into me, and told me if I didn’t fix my roles, I could risk losing my son.” Bretli Reyna went on to become a four-time Florida state champion and wrestler at the University of Iowa.    

Collaboration has been an important part of Coach Duck’s success. “A great coach does not only care about himself but spreads the wealth and knowledge to others who are seeking guidance,” explains Coach Duck. “Creating relationships and collaborating with like-minded coaches is huge. I’ll give advice to anyone who asks. I’m open minded and willing to take advice from others. If I like it, I’ll implement it into my system.” 

Coach Duck decided early on to implement an open-door policy for his club, allowing athletes from all over the tri-county area to come and train. 

“My goal is to provide all the knowledge I have to all the wrestlers I come across, whether you’re my affiliated club member or from another club.”

Coach Duck’s reach expanded even further over a decade ago when he started the State Champ Camp.

“We started with an invite-only camp of about 30 kids selected from the entire state of Florida. The second year we opened it to 60 kids. Now, through word-of-mouth, we have over 300 kids each year. It’s not a beginner’s camp; it’s a fast-paced camp. But, if you can keep up, you’re welcome to come and surround yourself with some of the best kids. We want everyone to grow together as a state. That’s the big picture. We want to grow the state, and we want everyone in the area to get better, so that we are pushed and get better.” 

After the 2024-25 season, Coach Duck was promoted to head coach at South Dade High School following the retirement of longtime head coach Vic Balmaceda. Coach Duck will be joined by son Bretli and former wrestler Ozzy Lugo, who will serve as assistant coaches.

“God works in mysterious ways. Let’s see what He has in store for us this upcoming season.”