Bare with me here as I tell the whole story. Yesterday, I got off work and needed to run a few erands. I have three sons that range from 6-10 years old and all of whom wrestle for the Salina Kids Wrestling Club. My middle son Nathan was with me when we decided to stop off at the KWIK SHOP and get something to drink.

While waiting in line to pay for our drinks, I noticed several guys enter the store. There have always been to types of people that carry themselves differently and that I have been able to spot. They are Marines and wrestlers. I looked outside and noticed two vans, both with OSU stickers in the windows. I looked at the guy standing behind me and just knew I had seen him before. I asked the guy his name, at which time he answerd "Chris Pendleton". I then noticed that one of the guys sitting behind the steering wheel of one of the van's was Eric Guerrero.

I got excited as my son just looked at me funny as if saying "What's the big deal?". I then informed him who Eric Guerrero and Chris Pendleton where and what they did. My son Nathan became excited and wanted to know if they would sign his shirt.

It just so happened that Nathan was dressed for Freestyle practice which I was taking him to after our erands. He was also wearing his Salina Kids Wrestling Club T-Shirt. I walked up to Eric and stated that i was a big fan of his and OSU wrestling. Eric then pointed out that my son was wearing Iowa Hawkeye (Yellow & Gold) wrestling warm-up shorts and jokingly stated that we needed to get him a new pair of shorts.

None the less, Eric Guerrero, Chris Pendleton, Steve Mocco, Daniel Cormier and a few others all signed my sons shirt. I thanked them for their time and wathced as they drove off on I-135, enroute to Siuox City Iowa for the World Team Trials this weekend.

The small event had a huge impact on not only me, but my son as well. Was it just chance or a sign from above? I don't know, bu tI do beleive that everything happens for a reason. I've been blessed with three boys that all love wrestlng and seems to take to it very well.

I want to thank the wrestlers for their time, however brief. They were gracious in my sons experience and we wish them luck this weekend!