Mac Barbush and Taylor Chadwell of Durant High School have been selected as the Shamrock Bank Impact Athlete and Performing Arts Students of the month for November 2025.
Mac, a senior, has finished first or placed, in at least one event, since he begin wrestling in seventh grade and has yet to lose a home varsity match. He is expected to be key member of this year’s Durant Lions wrestling squad.
As a freshman, Barbush won the McAlester Invitational and Duncan Open and finished second at the “Thrill in Madill” tournament.
His sophomore year, Mac placed fourth at the Carl Albert Tournament and was the winner of the Duncan Invitational. He followed that up last year with third place showings at the Midwestern Conference Tournament and the Mark Peck Invitational at Westmoore High School.
Mac has been ranked in the top ten at multiple weights by Owrestle and has participated in national and state level tournaments through his membership with the USA Wrestling organization.
“Mac is a real student of the sport of wrestling and spends the summer going to camps to help improve his knowledge and skill,” Durant High School Wrestling Coach Jim Taylor said.
“He also spends time helping others in the room improve their skills. We’re looking forward to Mac having a great senior season.”
Barbush, “a proud member of the Choctaw Nation”, is also active in the community by volunteering with the Durant Wrestling team for the Magnolia Festival and with his family to assist other non-profits such as the Route 66 Food Bank and serving meals through the Salvation Army during the holidays.
Mac has recorded a 3.4 grade point average is being recruited by several colleges where he plans to continue his wrestling and pursue a degree in construction management or business with a trade specialization.
Beyond that, Mac plans to compete in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).
Mac’s parents are the Honorable Amy J. Pierce-Barbush and John E. Barbush who also is the volunteer assistant wrestling coach at DHS. He has one sister, Ella, and his dog is named “Pippen”.
Taylor Chadwell is an honored member of “The Pride of Durant” band and the DHS symphonic band.
The senior is the Head Drum Major this year and has earned numerous awards including being selected to all-district band for five years.
Taylors’ accolades are numerous and they include an Excellent Rating for all-district French Horn solo. During her sophomore and junior years, she earned an Excellent Rating at State for French Horn Quartet and her Sophomore Year she received a Superior Rating at State for French Horn Duet .
In addition, last year, Taylor was the Solo Drum Major Conducting Champion at TMALA which is a summer leadership camp for Drum Majors, Marchers, Percussion and Color Guard.
“Taylor is a wonderful young lady with a very quirky personality and a great sense of humor, ” Durant High School Band Director Chris Gregg said.
“She is also a fantastic French Horn player and did a commendable job as our Head Drum Major during marching season. She has a very bright future in whatever endeavors she pursues.”
Taylor is a member of the National Honor Society and has compiled a 3.8 grade point average and holds down a part-time job at Walmart.
She is undecided on her college destination, But, is planning on getting a degree in Music Performance and Theory.
Her parents are Laurel and William Elliott and Beau and Stephanie Chadwell. She has one brother, William Chadwell the second.
Congratulations to Mac Barbush and Taylor Chadwell the Shamrock Bank Performing Arts and Impact Athlete Students of the Month for November 2025.
