Heres my take on this situation. I do not mean to offend anyone and I'm hoping my views will possibly allow a few of us to at least look at these things from a different angle. I will say the name of Nathan Furches but please read my entire post before jumping to any conclusions, I am not attacking anyone.

1) I do not think its fair but the fact of the matter is a kid like Furches will be singled out and held to a higher standard when things like this happen. This is because a great wrestler has a lot more to lose then a so-so wrestler.

2) I do not personally know Nathan Furches but have always found him a pleasure to watch. He is a tough competitor, a hard worker and a class act on and off the mat from what I have witnessed at tournaments and I have never heard anything bad about him. This does not change that. Good people make mistakes, even great people make mistakes.

3) Lots of High School kids drink. Lots of High School athletes drink. This doesn't mean this act in and of itself is acceptable. However a lot of these kids that do this are good kids and good human beings. I'm sure a lot of people would be shocked to know how many classy and well respected kids in wrestling drink occasionally. You don't have to think this is right or anything like that. But the only different between this situation and a huge percentage of High School wrestlers is that they got caught. Don't condone it, don't think its right, but don't lose respect for any of these kids over it either.

4) I personally do not know Derby's policy on alcohol. It sounds as if these kids will serve some kind of suspension and be allowed to wrestle again this year. I do hope this is the case. While I believe these actions should be punished I see nothing to gain in ending the season for these young men.

5) No one should even hint that this has anything to do with the parenting of Mike Furches or anyone else. I can tell you from experience that my parents raised me in a Christian home where alcohol was NEVER used and they expected me to not drink at all. As a high school athlete I still made the decision to drink on occasion. This wasn't right, but theres nothing under the sun my parents could have done to prevent it. Based on the reputation of Mike Furches I would say this lies in the same category. Sometimes what a parent tells their kid isn't enough and the kid must simply learn from making their own decisions

Finally....

Before any of us are to critical we need to look in mirror. As a Christian I believe God has given each of us multiple chances and forgiven us for multiple mistakes. You may or may not share that spiritual belief with me. Even if you don't think back in your life and I'm sure you were given second chances. Theres a lot worse things then a kid getting caught up and being involved in a party. It should be reprimanded, but its not exactly punishable by death. These kids have and will be punished, lets allow that to be sufficient and appreciate the positive qualities they have in the past and will continue to exhibit. I don't believe a dose of mercy here is to much to ask.