I just want to echo what Tom Core said. Specifically, he was talking about a young kid who had just had a tough match and was trying to get his thoughts together. As he was sitting on the steps one of our adult team members (a 72 year old uncle) broke his arm right near where the kids was sitting. The kid immediately checked if our uncle needed help. When he was told that help was needed he rendered assistance by providing our uncle his pillow and then got an adult.

Now, I don't know about anybody else, but to me this demonstrates the great, intangible qualities that wrestling provides. I don't know how this wrestler ended up placing at the tournament but in the grand scheme of things this kid is a "CHAMPION IN THE GAME OF LIFE!". He put another's concerns ahead of his own. In our club this is what we try to teach our kids by using wrestling as a tool to teach these type of lessons.

To the wrestler that helped our "uncle"....THANK YOU VERY MUCH! You went above and beyond the call of duty. I would like to meet you and thank you in person if given the chance.

To the parents and coaches of the wrestler....You should be very proud. Your son did a wonderful thing and should be rewarded. I would like to thank you in person if given the chance.

I am one of the shortest coaches around. Look for me, I will have a Spartan wrestling shirt on.

The original intent was to highlight the good things that happen at these tournaments. If you feel the need to be negative, please start another thread.

Shawn Budke
Head Coach
Leavenworth County Spartans