I was in the stands watching the 152lb finals match. Coach Mesa acted out of instinct and I applaud him for his actions. From the stands it was obvious that the OS wrestler was passed out...his body was completly limp. Even the guys warming up on the other mats, Lucas Vincent comes to mind, were hollering "he's out, he's out!" The head and arm was COMPLETELY legal...but those of us who have been in them know that, in certain instances, the more you struggle to pull out of it the tighter it gets. I do feel that the match should have been stopped and SME should have been awarded the victory. Coach Mesa did tell the official "Give him the match, I'm only concerned about my guy's health" or something to that effect. The official did consult the on-site physician and the wrestler, and I'm assuming the physician cleared the OS guy to continue. In my opinion, terrible call by the physician and the officials. A kid passes out, which means that there was a lack of blood flow to the brain, which should mean you are done for the day!

For those concerned about the "push or shove" of the SME kid by Coach Mesa I offer this...your kid is passed out under another wrestler and you are paniced into survival mode, you are going to do what is necessary to save your kid (or at least I hope you would)." It was clear to everyone watching that Coach Mesa interfered with the match only for the safety of his wrestler and not to stop a fall.

I hope that one day when I have a son old enough to wrestle that his coach cares as much about his safety as Coach Mesa does about his wrestlers!