Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion Kids Folkstyle wrestling season "family"

As this season winds down...take a minute and think about the "friends" you made this season...the family of the kid your child wrestled week after week...welcome to the "wrestling friendship circle"
We are 8 years invested in wrestling and let me tell you, there is not a sport out there that makes friendships like wrestling...my son has wrestled mostly the same kids, year after year after year...know what...he talks to them all the time...even wants to spend time with them in the off season...we are in the KC area...they are in the Wichita area...
Parents...take the time to talk to the parents...get to know them...they just might trun out to be true friends....

Thank you for some wonderful years of friendship, especially to the following families...
Page, Heithaus, Nowak, Johnson, Wooten and I am sure I am missing some...
GOOD LUCK TO ALL AT STATE!!!

What you said is very true. You do meet a great bunch of kids and families thru wrestling over the years. You spend a lot of time with the kids and families of the wrestlers from your club and school teams. You develop memories with them that you will always keep and share. You develop a long term interest in your child's teams both at the club and school levels. You help each other out many times over the years. And yes you also develop a special appreciation for your opponent and their families. You can battle them like crazy but still come out with a mutual respect that will last forever. I know I often hear former adult wrestlers like our club coach Sean McCarthy talk about their high school and college opponents with a great deal of respect. I will never forget how this year after the 5A state final how Mr. Isenberg came up to the Henes family at the end to congratulate them. There was were handshakes and hugs between the families and a lot of emotion coming out. Mainly what I was seeing was class and respect between the families. Phillip and Aldon had battled in so many matches over the last two years. Their schools had battled for team tournament wins too. They had wrestled each other in the 5A regional and state final two years in a row. I think Phillip won Regionals and Aldon won State in 2007 but it ended up the opposite way this year in 2008 with Aldon winning regionals and Phillip winning state. I heard how Aldon had graciously congratulated Phillip at the end and in interviews said how he was happy for Phillip that now they both had state championships. I guess I will always seeing this great rivalry that I got to witness as a classic example of what this topic is about and what wrestling itself is about.

This is a good topic. It makes you think about what a wonderful sport wrestling is to give us all these great friendships and experiences. My family appreciates your family too and I know my wife will be thinking of Lucas as she drives Jacob and his team mate Jake Walker to weigh-ins Friday. Congratulates to Lucas on getting second at 6A 285 this year and on being selected second team All Kansas City Metro. He deserves all the honors that he receives this year. He had a great season this year. I hope he heels quickly from his injury.

The wrestling family, whether it is your own club, from the State of Kansas, or those you meet from across the United States, they are truly one in a million.

Greg was involved with Kids Wrestling since 1972-2006 and myself since 1980 to current. I don't believe there is a bigger "family" organization than our wrestling family.

We always considered the wrestlers in our club as "our kids" and I love still enjoy when someone calls me "Mom" or "Momma Grater". That tradition has continued on with some of the wrestles from FHSU now.

In times of trimuph, tradegy or sorrow, it seems that the wrestling family will pull together and help whoever get through the circumstance.

Thanks for all the friendships my family has made over the years and hope to continue to make a few more.


Leanna Grater

This is a great post that I have actually thought about starting before. My son has been wrestling for 6 years, & I have made more friends through our club and through other clubs than I have ever had! Everyone in our club is like family to me & I care about all the kids in our club just like they were my own!!! My son has battled alot of kids over the years and always has friendships with them. You would think in a sport like wrestling you would make more enemys than friends but that is far from the truth.

My son didn't make it to state this year but we will be there and I know he will be cheering for the kids he has battled all year!!!

Good luck to Cory and Issac and everyone else that is going!!!

And a special good luck to the rest of my kids in our club!!! You guys have worked so hard and I am very proud of you!!!

Speaking of family i have a story.
I am one of 5 brothers that wrestled, one uncle and a few cousins. we only wrestled high school but all of us went to state one or 2 times and my little brother got 5th once, and my mom & dad were at every match.By the time my youngest brother got out of High school my oldest boy was wrestling kids so it wasnt over for us,and being on the parent side of it now i see why mine never missed a match.
My parents go to most of the kids tournys and watch there 8 grandkids, yes 8 and more comming up in the next few years.(not all mine just 2)
Its cool to watch them all and see how they look up to you allmost as if they know what they have to do to beat there dads and uncles records.
My oldest is a freshman this year and got 3rd in reg. and went to state. None of us went to state as a freshman so i think hes on the right track. and as a parent i am very proud of him.
I have been in wrestling since 1986 when i was a freshman and i dont see a light at the end of this tunnel. I hope i never do.

God bless and good luck

Wrestlingparents:
What a lovely post. I had tears in my eyes reading it. I too have enjoyed all of the friendships that we have made through wrestling . You and I met in this forum and then when we met in person we just clicked. Our boys have wrestled against each other and have cheered each other matside. I want to thank you for the special friendship (and a bed when needed) you have given our family. Many years from now when the boys have kids of their own wrestling we'll be there watching them too!

Cindy,
Now it was my turn to tear up....

You are welcome anytime at our house...there will always be a bed for you guys...see you next week!