This will be the first season since 1987 that I have not been actively involved with folkstyle wrestling. I guess it's a pretty good little run and one that will start again next season. I've remained a fan and am once again looking to get back into the flow of things next year after the recharging of my batteries.

I have kept involved in wrestling on this board and have kept up with all that has happened - the good, the bad, and the ugly. We always reflect on the season and how it went and things that we can change to make ourselves better. We accentuate the positive and work to change the negative.

Probably the best thing that has happened to me is the year off. It hurt a little, but thankfully my wife said, "you're coaching next year. For the sake of our marriage, please go back to wrestling." Of course it was in jest, but she knows that I'm missing it.

Taking the year off, I've learned some valuable lessons that I'll be able to take with me down the road.

1. You're referred to as coach no matter what. My first name is non-existent. It's either coach or Gibby. It makes you feel good.

2. The pains of Saturday's loss disappear on Monday. At the state tourney most went home disappointed because they didn't get a plaque. On Monday it's back to being a kid and tetherball on the playground is of top importance. Our kids for the most part don't dwell on losses for too long or let it affect them. I think it affects the parents the most as they stand around the water cooler/coffee pot at work during break - recapping how their kid was "screwed out of a takedown." Thank heavens our kids don't get as frustrated as we do.

3. Some of the best friendships are made on Saturday. That's not just speaking about kids, but adults as well. I really look forward to Saturdays because I can catch up with friends from across the state and how their life's journey is fairing.

I saw all of this and so much more at the tourney this year.

1. I saw a friend champion a cause that was critical to the stability of a family. I'm sure someone else would have done the same, but what Mr. Furches did for Tyler and his family this season was spectacular.

2. I saw high school wrestlers devote themselves to the cause with the Tag Team tournament. If these young men are as broke as I was in high school, then they probably can't rub two nickles together. What they did have to give was their time and their support. As I said before, you want a role model for your kid - there they were.

3. As I suspected, there was going to be a ton of people that were genuinely interested in the Tag Team concept. I was front and center on the mat and watched the event with delight. What was more remarkable was the fact that after the match, I stood up and looked at all the kids on the mat, crowding to be up close. That was cool.

So as we end another kid's season, I ask you - what did you walk away with? Some will walk away from the season - mad because their child got "screwed by the ref," "hair pulled," "bitten," or stuck with a "crappy coach." Their child didn't attain his rightful place on the podium because of someone else's error.

As for me, I walked away with a lot more than animosity and bitterness from the weekend. I walked away knowing there are a lot of caring people out there. We are surrounded by people that take time out of their lives to make someone else's better. Life will sometimes throw you lemons, we're pretty fortunate to know that there people out there in the wrestling community that will help us make lemonade.

Congratulations Kansas on a truly remarkable season and good luck next year.