I believe the most inspirational wrestler of this year and the past four years has been Joey McDowell of Clearwater. Joey is crippled with Cerebral Palsy and has been wrestling 103 pounds the last four years. He went his entire high school career and unfortunatley never won a match. Joey missed about three or four practices during all four years, and I have never seen anybody with so much heart. Most of the time wrestlers hope to take first place or win a match, but sometimes his only goal was to make it onto the mat without tripping. I think the wrestling community should come together and come up with some kind of award for Joey. He's an amazing person and I'm glad to have wrestled on the same team as him for the last four years. Anytime anybody on the team felt like taking it easier during a drill or something like that, just his presence would push us harder. I don't think anybody deserves more respect than him for what he's done the last four years.

You are sure right on this one. I was priveliged to watch Joey last week at Maize and he has my admiration. He should inspire all wrestlers to give there all to the sport.

Any of us with all the tools and ablities who try to make excuses why we can't should be humbled and motivated by an athlete like him. He has my vote and respect!

take him to disney land. let us celebrate for such an amazing kid

Although I have never seen this young man he would get my vote. I have the most utmost admiration for the wrestlers that work hard and complete with heart whether they win matches or not. It's easy to keep competing in a sport when you win. To keep competing when you don't win matches shows true sportsman. Joey, Good luck in your lifes endeavors!

Even though i've never heard of him till now he gets my vote too

I have had the privilage to watch and coach against this young man through his four years at Clearwater and what an inspiration he is. He not only has tremendous heart and desire but he is a very quality person and a lot of fun to talk to at duals and tournaments. Those of us here at Circle would like to say "goodbye and good luck to you Joey".
P.S. you better show up to the state tournament...somebody needs to keep the Clearwater coaches under control!!

First, the word is handicapped not crippled. Crippled indicates someone who cannot function, clearly this person can. The greatest gift that this person received was from his coaches and his team mates, they gave him a chance. Joey never wanted to be known as the handicapped wrestler, he wanted to be known as simply a wrestler. He went at each match with intensity and heart, he was afraid of no one. He received additional gifts each time an opponent wrestled him straight up no punches pulled. He wanted good matches that tested him, but never wanted someone to take it easy. Thankfully, he had great coaches in Guy Johnson, Randy Vogel and Cameron Cooper. They are the best. He had great team mates in Chenowith, Caylor, Shoenecker, and the rest. He wrestled for a unique program that gave him his chance, the only thing he asked for. Thanks to the entire wrestling family for your thoughts.

Sorry,I didn't mean to offend anybody.

hes got a lot of heart... wrestling needs more people like him.

I know this is kind of late thinking, but does anybody know if it would be possible to have an award given to him at the state tournament on Saturday night before finals. I think that would be really cool, and I think he deserves it more than anyone, because I guarantee you that he has more heart than any of the guys that will be wrestling has.

I'd be willing to pitch in some money towards it, and if nobody else would pitch in money I'd be happy to pay for the whole thing.

There is a young man who currently is wrestling at Wamego in junior high who also has this condition. I think it would be really neat to have him met Joey. I know that when we are down because we have lost a match or upset about a call, you see someone like that with the courage they display, it puts everything back into perspective.

There are several disadvantaged wrestlers. Mulvane has one individual, Baldwin has one or had one last year. Wellington or Winfield had one several years ago. (It was he and Earl Jones, that inspired Joey in the first place) Lemon - I am sure he would visit with your wrestler, can't tell him how to win, but can tell him how to survive. ThreePointBuck, you have been a good friend, but get him a date not an award. He knows people respect him, it embarrasses him to be pointed out for his inability. By the way, I am not mad (I heard you thought I was), I respect your friendship and your abilities.

Cripple does NOT mean one cannot function it is a:one that is partially disabled or b:To damage or IMPAIR the functioning of

Tiger-75. Ask someone who is impaired what they think of the word "crippled". They will definitely disagree with the dictionary explanation of their condition. Cripple is very demeaning to many of them.