For the first time in my officiating career, I had a youth from a recent district team come up to me two matches after their match had finished onto the mat after they were eliminated from the consolation semifinals and proceed to ask why I didn't give him back points! I cost him the match and his state bid paraphrasing his words. I ask, What are we teaching our kids by allowing them to do this? What are we setting them up for in life? What lessons are we teaching them? It's the officials fault you lost? Are we not teaching the kids on how to be a gracious winner or a good sport when you lose? Yes officials miss calls at all levels. Yes officials get it wrong sometimes. Yes we are human with no instant replay.
My hope for this week at the state tournament would be for the wrestlers to wrestle hard and leave it all on the mat, win or lose. Respect the sport, respect your opponent, respect your coaches, respect your families, respect the facility, and respect the officials. May coaches realize they are setting an example for our youth, win or lose, that example makes an impression.
Josh Wolff
Official 916
