Patrick,

I hope you and Alex enjoy the time off. We all need to step back and recharge periodically. What you have learned is very true. If I may be so bold, I will add a few additional things that I have learned as we are at the end of our kids club wrestling lives.

Your son may yet be a state champion. You mention Cokeley's barn. Ryne is a perfect example of a kid who was a good wrestler at age 10, but a great wrestler by age 14 and a high school state champion as a freshman. He didn't place as a 10 year old either.

My son made it to state a lot, placed sometimes, but never won it all. He is a good wrestler through hard work, but is not a natural at the sport. The struggle has made us closer and him a better person. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved for him to have won 7 state championships, but I am so very proud of the effort and the dedication and the character and the sportsmanship that he has displayed over the last several years. He's lost matches that I thought he should have won and won matches that I thought he should have lost. Even though we've left Topeka disappointed, I wouldn't change a thing because I know those disappointments have helped make him into the man I see him becoming.

A 40 win season with a district championship is something for Alex to be very proud of and I know after the sting goes away you will all realize what a great year it has been.

Have a good break.