GOOD - I saw kids wrestle hurt, I saw kids beat opponents they shouldn't, I saw kids walk off together after a hard match, I saw friends and competitors from different clubs supporting each other in matches, I saw new friends made, I saw the joy of wins and defeats that were crushing. I saw so much of what makes this sport so special.

BAD - Bad calls by refs, bad decisions by coaches, bad sportsmanship by wrestlers, bad attitudes by refs, coaches, wrestlers and parents.

UGLY - I saw a kid (who had in his previous match upset last years state champ) have his spirit crushed by an opposing coach who told his wrestler to "stay down" after an injury. The ref called it an illegal hold when the injury occured (which it was NOT but that really doesnt matter). The coach was overheard by MANY matside telling his wrestler if he stayed down, he would win the match and get into the semi's and place.

I can not express how much fun I have had in this sport the last 6 years my kid has wrestled. The number of friends made cannot be counted. Though most of us have slipped into the "Bad" category at times, I really only remember the "Good". We all teach our kids sportsmanship, no excuses, the ref didnt cost you the match, hard work pays off, etc...... But in 2012, I'm sorry to say I will remember the UGLY.

To those of you who believe in the GOOD and work to improve the BAD, you are the foundation that makes this sport special for us and the kids who participate. Your leadership keeps the UGLY from occuring very often.

Cory Schrater
316.371.0250

Wow! and that taught a huge lesson that didn't need to be taught. If it is not earned is it worth it. I think not. What honor is there in winning that way.

Well said Corey,

State was full of suprises, especially in the finals. Can't remember a STATE tournament with so MANY studs battling it out for 1st. Doesn't matter what age, they ALL fought hard. Bad calls SUCK, but that's what we as coaches have to deal with. Great wrestling, WIN or LOOSE, is what makes the future look bright. Friendship on and off the mat, makes me smile. Those moving to high school, keep in mind, at one point you were friends. Quote, "Off the mat, friends, on the mat, enemies; but friends for life!" You don't get that in any other sport!

To those who thought the refs had bad calls...remember good and bad is nothing more than a point of view. If a kid is wrestling from club A and a kid from club B, the coaches from club A are going to see things differently than the coaches from club B even though they're watching the same match. The refs number one job is to keep our young athletes safe and after that we can really only ask for is consistency. My dad always told me, "If you leave it up to a judement call or a missed call by the ref...then you didn't do your job. Take it out of anyone's hands but yours."

"If you leave it up to a judement call or a missed call by the ref...then you didn't do your job. Take it out of anyone's hands but yours."

Very well said!! We tell our son the same thing!

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WOW!! I may be reading this wrong, but it seems this just took an extreme right turn toward the negative side of post. I am must have missed the Suplay (Ie: Suplex) part of this thread.

geyer,

Thanks for noticing the difference - I agree with with no excuses, but that has nothing to do with this topic.

Cory Schrater
316371.250