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Joined: Nov 2002
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...as I was sitting there keeping score at the duals this weekend, the Montana Vs. Team KS Wildcats match was well in hand for Team Wildcats. Our heavyweight stepped on the mat against a kid from Montana that was in less than tip top physical condition. You know the type, man boobs, big spare tire, the type of kid that probably draws more than his share of teasing from kids. As I watched this kid wrestle our kid, who is a pretty salty, but maybe undersized, heavyweight, I began to think, and told Coach Locke: This kid probably goes to school and hears some punk kids tease him about his belly and his boobs, among other things. But here he is, at the National middle school duals, competing. This is a sport that very few people have the guts and mental toughness to take on. The brutal practices, the multiple beatings, among other things, that it takes to become a better wrestler and person. Taking beating after beating, and to continue to step on to that mat again and again. Like I told a few of our own kids that were struggling and getting thumped this weekend: that kid is here working to get better. All those punks that are talking trash are sitting at home watching cartoons and eating candy bars. I couldn't help but go over to this kid after the match (while he is laying down totally exhausted) and tell him "good job Big Man" and shake his hand. With apologies to Nicky Dikin ( we had the dual in hand), I was hoping that this kid wouldn't get pinned by Nicky. The kid went 3 full periods, and left it all on the mat. That is a kid that will be a winner on the mat at some point, and also when he gets out and becomes an employee, husband, father, grandfather, etc. My guess is that the NCAA heavyweight champ was a similarly built kid as a youngster. Look at him now.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 363
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Awesome job Doug. Nicky was "this kid" at once.
I kept telling these kids, "no where did I see where this was a "NOVICE" tournament". I think it helped dry the tears.
Matt
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Nice post Doug. I remember a certain Cadet last year that fought off his back for a minute and a half, bridging and fighting the entire time. As I write this I can't even remember who won the match, but I came away from that match knowing that I'd take that kid on my team in ANY sport. That Cadet was 45-3 last year and a State Finalist.
Eric Johnson
Acts 4:12
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Doug,
I made a reference on an earlier post about seeing some "butter balls" rolling around on the mat. I should have also mentioned that some of these young wrestlers are as tough and determined as anyone out there. I am 100% behind you when you talk about the dedication these young athletes have, regardless of age, weight, shape, size, ability or gender, to continue forward in this sport. If their peers new anything about wrestling, they would having nothing but admiration and respect for what these young gladiators go through.
Lee Girard
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 937
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I read a lot of post on here that refers to the bigger kids in a negative way. I just don't think people really understand what the big guys go through! They have to run as many sprints, do as many jumping jacks, and so on.... When I'm in the practice room I always spend the most of my time with the big guys. I do it because of a few reasons. I'm a big guy myself. I respect them as an athlete. I also think they are overlook in so many other things then just wrestling. My son started this season weighing 232. At the begining of December he made a HUGE personal choice. He was wrestling 205 at Subs!! No he did not make it to State this year but I think he achieved so much more. We had our clubs award banquet last week and he was given the teams Dedicated Wrestler Award! It was no state title but realizes that what he did this year was so much more valuable. We just got done working out! We got football season coming up. I can't wait to see what he does next year. I also want to mention my other two wrestling butterballs. Started the season 12&U 165! Ended at 140. Started the season at 8&U 110! Was state champ at that weight and weighed in at 98 pounds!
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