Okay, this post is kind of long, but heartfelt.
There's a feeling of finality that people get at the high school state wrestling tournament. This is especially true for the seniors, their parents, and now me. I hope those parents and seniors realize the impact wrestling has had in their lives, how much time and effort was spent by various individuals to help their child get to where he is today, and how much we need them back in the sport.
An old Cardinal from Labette told me when I was officially hanging up my shoes this piece of advice. “Gibby, don't forget how much time and effort has went into you from other people. I hope you give as much as you received.”
You know, he's absolutely right. I have so much to be thankful for. Whether it be the junior high principal that said I had to go out for wrestling because I needed something to do with all that energy, to the wrestling club that turned me into a winless wrestler my first year to a state placer the second, to my high school coach who helped me and later hired me as an assistant, to the college coach that always kept an open door policy for guys like me that just wanted to see how we measured up to college wrestling – there had been an extensive amount of time and effort by someone else to help me get as far as I could.
If it weren't for wrestling, I wouldn't have gone to college; I wouldn't have graduated with a degree; I wouldn't be where I am today. Realizing this while I was still in college, I have made it a point to do whatever I can, to the best of my ability, to help the community that has provided me with so much.
If it weren't for wrestling, I wouldn't have made the friends I have made throughout the state. I have been blessed with making the acquaintances of some of the best human beings life has to offer. If it weren't for wrestling, I would have never had the pleasure of calling them a friend.
If it weren't for wrestling, it wouldn't be nearly as hard to leave Kansas to relocate in another state. That says a lot about our wrestling family. That's why it was so hard on Saturday. I've been involved with Kansas wrestling as a competitor and coach for seventeen years. Watching the joy of wins and agony of losses and realizing that this may be the last time I get to be a spectator of a sport in a state I care so deeply about was gut wrenching.
Thank you to all those who have impacted my life, I hope I have given a fraction of what I have received. Though I will be moving to a state that has warmer weather and better opportunities, I will never forget all of the memories I have had waking up at 5:00 am, huddling with another wrestler in the car as our parents drove us into the middle of nowhere for a Saturday tournament. I'll never forget when someone told me standing on my head will make me weigh less (what were we thinking?).
If it weren't for wrestling, I wouldn't have had a tear in my eye as I say thank you.
I just had to get this off my chest. See you at the kids state tournament.
