Originally posted by mike fairleigh:
I would give all parents that are reading this some advice: Whether your son is a junior , sophomore, or freshman, enjoy those moments and the accomplishments that your son or daughter are able to produce with all the pride that you would if he or she were a senior and it was for the last time. One moment and one injury can change things immediatly and what you have is what you had, and the future that you anticipate is gone. good enough to relish the plans for the future, but be proud of EVERY season because you never know if there will be another.
well said...
...been there done that Gabe Smull has had bad luck every year in high school. illness his freshman year the first year he qualified at state, but went 30-11 at 145 that year, the onlyother time he qualified. his sohpomore year he suffered a nagging back injury that wouldnt quite heal, last year a torn LCL and sugery that ended his season in January his junior year, at the time we has 21-2. and this year his foot was dislocated in the regional football game against smith center, he still can not run, instead he rode countless hours on the bike, early mornings and late nights, and wrestled with extreme pain in most matches unable to push off his left foot. injuries during his career that kept him from the mat in the off season, which is where you only get better.
even thought he lost to roe twice, he gave it his best, and was not imtimidated in the least, Gabe also beat some good kids on the way to the finals. he was never ranked during the year or even given a second thought, although he knew he could do it.
now after his loss saturday night it now has made him a little hungry, not satisfied ending his wrestling career on that note, and previously determined to play football in college, he now has reconsidered those thoughts, if he get any offers to wrestle in college, he just may entertain them.
fortunately my other son Gavin a sophomore also qualified at 125, also overlooked but went 2-2 in a very tough weight class this year, i couldnt be more proud of his effort.
cherish every match, because you never know when the last one will be!
