Wrestlers have to endure tougher physical and mental conditions than many of their athletic counterparts. I believe that the character wrestlers build during their careers enhances their success in the classroom. None of them want to lose and most will throw everything they can out on the mat to succeed. Again, I am a firm believer that this desire to excel can translate to excelling in the classroom.

That being said, I had a heart to heart with my son at the end of State last year when he had a heart breaking early exit from the tournament. I said that I wanted his top goal to be first team All-State Academic Team for his senior year, followed by a couple of other goals that he can also achieve. He responded by finishing with a 4.0 this fall and is on pace to finish in the top 10% of a class around 450 students. Could he have done this well in the classroom without wrestling? Maybe. I would like to think that wrestling taught him that you have to work harder than those around you to finish near the top. I think it did.

If you have a similar story, I would like to hear what you have to say.

Great story! And yes, wrestling is great avenue to teach all kinds of great life lessons, such as toughness, work ethic, discipline, sportsmanship, and something that is the most important thing for their future....their grades, academics, and career planning!

Thanks for sharing!

Coach Harris

This is a great positive thread! We have a little guy in our kids club that has 2 prosthesis for his lower legs. His parents came and asked us if he could wrestle....of course he can! Wrestling is the only sport that takes everyone.

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with this little guy....I learn more lessons from him than you can imagine!

Shawn Budke

Congrats!!

Last year we finished the season with 64 wrestlers and a team cumulative GPA of 3.304, with 6 wrestlers at a 4.0 or better. We constantly preach to "improve every day as a person, a student, and a wrestler," but I do believe there is something about our sport that lends itself to success in the classroom.

Very impressive!

I think there is a very common denominator in all of these stories...former wrestlers or people close to the sport that are there to model such behaviors and expectations. I commend all of you for being involved in more than the win/loss mentality that sometimes overshadows these accomplishments. Preparing to win is extremely important, but wrestling is so often more about what it can do for kids after sports.

Thanks to all of you that keep pushing wrestlers to be well-rounded, hard working young men and women.