03/05/2023
As the season comes down to one last match, I read this and wanted to post it so you can share it with your wrestlers.
I AM PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!!
A different year, same feelings. I originally wrote this two years ago and it was probably the first time our whole family watched the High School State tournament intently.
This year for part of the week I sat mat side with my camera in hand as these boys began their quest for a state title. You didn’t just see the emotions, you felt them. You walked under the tunnel and saw tears, hugs, encouragement, and celebrations.
Doug said it perfectly, “ You know they say it’s like Weddings and Funerals. One minute you're celebrating and the next you're crying.”
I don’t even have a kid of my own in the state tournament, but always find myself cheering and celebrating for one followed by crying for another who stood in the hardest spot of the podium…..2nd place.
No one goes in looking to get second. Third is talked about because you battled back, you rallied, you set your emotions aside and you got the next best thing. Second is like your breath was just stolen from you.
I know those boys are hurting tonight. I know a lot of those kids didn’t get what they wanted this weekend, but sitting across from a man who didn’t get what he wanted more times than not I can say his character doesn’t lack because of it.
My boys saw teammates stand atop of the podium and in that 2nd place position. They saw ones who won run up in the stands to greet their family and others walk back into that tunnel to let the disappointment run out before letting the motivation take over. I know they were hurting for the ones that lost and celebrating the ones that won. All I could think of was how thankful I am for all these older kids in our club.
My boys can picture themselves at the state tournament because they wrestle beside these guys almost every night at club practice and now they have seen it up close. The importance of having kids at all levels youth through Olympic hopefuls is what keeps the dream alive when we train for longevity in this sport and not just peewee success.
My kids see how hard you can train and still not get what you want. They see how to win humbly and lose gracefully. Each year they watch these kids go through the recruiting process, batting back from injuries, stepping up to fill gaps in a line up and then each night they are coached by ones who have already been through it. They get to wrestle, play, and talk with an Olympic hopeful each night. They have built a family in a gym enduring hard workouts.
Funny huh, how the most uncomfortable situations can bring you together.
The late nights, extra lessons, making weight, choosing to miss other things to pursue greatness that may never actually be achieved, but not realizing until later along the way is where you learned life skills to navigate your next chapters.
To the kids who got what they wanted, we are so proud. We watched, cheered, we took pictures, talked about the hard work and changes you made to get there, and we were excited for your families. To the majority who didn’t get what they wanted….you displayed growth, resiliency, grit, and vulnerability on top of that stand and we are thankful for that.
To everyone out there: a reminder that though it may seem at some points in your life…..your identity is not in wrestling. To be great is to have a deep passion for what you do, an obsession if you will, for the sport that hurts so good. It is also having the knowledge that at anytime it can be taken away from you.
This sport is so special. The sport consumes you and although at any time you can be done participating in it, it’s life lessons continue to show up for years to come.
📸: me
*Originally wrote two years ago and adjusted again to this years view.
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