Lovell couple finding passion for paintball

Many local people may know Dustin and Ali Wagner for their positions in the medical field, but they are making quite the names for themselves in the world of paintball.

Dustin began playing several years ago but started back up with their sons the past three years.

While Ali and their girls were stuck at home, they figured they might as well tag along and join in on the fun about a year ago.

Their squad is also made up of friends they’ve made through the paintball circuit from Dayton that have been forced to evacuate their home due to the fires on the Big Horn Mountains but who have found solace and a place to stay at the Wagners’ home.

Barry “Taco” Ozeroff and Selena Martinez participate on the team, and Ozeroff has been involved with the sport for more than 20 years and serves as a player/coach for the group.

He has been the bar manager at the Elk View Inn for four years, and because of the rapid spreading of the Elk Fire, they were left with limited places to turn and put in a financial crunch, being without work.

But the pair and Wagners have decided to make something positive of the situation and began planning and organizing for the teams to travel to Florida in a few weeks to attend the World Cup on November 6-10 to battle some of the best teams from all over the country.

“We believe it was almost fate that brought us all together to make this happen,” Ali said.

Since it is the final tournament of the season, it is the biggest event of the year, and teams have to fight their way through multiple rounds of competition to advance.

“No one expects a team from Wyoming to come and compete,” she said. “We are looking forward to networking with other teams and representing our area well and get on people’s radar.”

With few locations to practice or play, it makes it challenging for the local team, but like any hobby that someone loves, they find a way to do it, and it provides an outlet for them to thrive.

“Paintball is a great sport because it takes some athleticism, but it also takes brain power, teamwork, social skills, camaraderie, communication and problem-solving skills,” Ozeroff said.

Ozeroff went to an alternative school in Portland, Oregon, growing up and was struggling getting through those years of his life, but when he discovered paintball, it provided a crutch for him to lean on when he was going through a tough time.

He travels all over the country on the national circuit, and the individuals from Wyoming and Montana who are involved go and compete in different divisions and levels of play throughout the region.

This World Cup opportunity will be a first for the Wagners, but Ozeroff is no stranger to the competition.

“I started playing when I was 12 years old,” he said. “I wouldn’t still be doing it if it wasn’t worth it, and the best thing about paintball is that anyone can play.”

Though the paintball community is very small in this part of the map, they are tightly knit and supportive of one another.

After attending a tournament in Great Falls, Dustin began chatting with members of other three-man teams and suggested forming a five-man group to take to these bigger events, and that is who will head to Florida in the Division 5 category as the Big Horn Berserkers. 

Ali and Selena make up two of the members of Team Destiny Damage Dolls in the 3-on-3 women’s NXL championships.

Even though Ali describes herself as a cautious person, paintball provides the atmosphere for her to release her inhibitions and come out of her shell.

“At the clinic (North Big Horn Hospital), when I talk to women patients, I ask them what they do for themselves for their mental health,” Wagner said. “Most responses involve roles they have as mothers and following their kids around to events, but I tell them they need to have something for themselves.”

Realizing she also struggled answering her own question, she thought starting paintball would be a good solution -- and she was right.

“It has been a huge transition for me, and my mental health has been so much better,” she added. “It is like when I get on my gear, I am able to turn into my alter-ego.”

And the women involved are all extremely supportive and encouraging to one another, which Wagner describes as liberating.

“We put expectations on ourselves as wives and moms and take on so many things for others,” she said. “Paintball is the one time that, when I am playing, my mind is truly silent to the rest of the world and I just focus on having fun.”

With all of the different versions available for players of all skill levels, the group welcomes newcomers and encourages participation in the sport.

“We want people to be a part of this, and we hope to eventually create a field in Lovell at some point as a non-profit organization to get kids involved,” said Wagner. “We want to build a place for not only kids to utilize, but for adults with mental health or recovery issues and as another fun thing to do in town.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Along with words of encouragement, the teams welcome any support, donations or sponsorships to help them along their journey to the World Cup and for their future endeavors to create the course in Lovell.

A Go Fund Me account has also been created that can be found on the website by searching “Support your local paintball teams at NXL World Cup 2024” if individuals or businesses would like to donate.

All financial support will go to help cover traveling costs to Florida and the expenses involved, and any additional funds will be saved to go to the future course building venture.

Information and photos can also be found on the Big Horn Berserkers Facebook page or by following them on Instagram.

The team can be contacted at Bighornberserkers@gmail.com with any questions as they go on to represent the Lovell community on a national stage.