Sweazy moves on after wrestling cancer
By Carol Lacer
When Aaron Sweazy graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in
December of 2003, it looked like he had the world by the tail. The 1998
CHS grad had completed his college days with a list of achievements
that included being crowned "Mr. UCO" as well as wrestling titles, and he
was also the zealous Butler County radio announcer for the junior
college's football games. But a big test was awaiting him that wasn't on the
college curriculum.
As he and other young college grads were inching their way into the
real world during the spring of 2004, he experienced swollen lymph nodes,
a drastic weight loss and a general feeling of fatigue. He was soon
diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and the road ahead of him that had once
looked full of promise now looked dim and uncertain.
The Chapman community, as well as many others and his family, drew
together to help Sweazy with fund-raisers and encouragement. Sweazy, who
was officially declared in remission on May 5, 2005, feels that the
support he received was key in his recovery.
"I received support predominantly from folks here in Chapman, the
United Methodist Church and various churches in the area, as well as
schools, including the Abilene High School, with various fund raisers," Sweazy
said. "The money was helpful in paying the bills, but more importantly
to me was the community support and outpouring of love and concern by
people not only in Dickinson County, but worldwide. I don't know if I
would have been able to achieve remission status if not for that support.
I think the battle with cancer would have been much tougher and would
have possibly defeated me. Everyone sent so many get well wishes via
internet or by mail- it was amazing to get letters as far away as
Australia. To know that there were people who would take time out of their day
to help me, gave me a reason to not look down and to keep moving
forward. I also have to credit my family- I have a great family. Sometimes we
don't show our love for family as much as we should. If not for my
parents and brother and sister-in-law, and well as extended family, it
would have been extremely difficult."
Sweazy's extended family includes the wrestling community.
"The wrestling community is so tight knit that it's like another
family," Sweazy said. "I know wrestlers across the nation and we are known to
be so close that we'll go out of our way to help one anther. We may
battle on the mat, but when it come to life or death situations, we tend
to stick with each other and help one another to get through those
difficult obstacles in life."
Since getting the all-clear in May, Sweazy hasn't wasted any time
getting back into the wrestling scene. He's been a guest coach for Newman
University, a four- year college in Wichita, as well as taking on the
role of one of three tournament directors in charge of operations at a
recent 4A tournament held at Salina's Bicentennial Center.
Close to Sweazy's heart is a foundation that helps wrestlers who fall
on tough times, something he can relate to.
"I find myself on all sorts of committees these days, from trying to
get colleges to start wrestling programs in Kansas- to working with the
Tyler Graebner foundation, which establishes funds for those in the
wrestling community who fall upon tough times and might need help, much
like I did," Sweazy said. "The foundation also helps supply shoes and
other gear for wrestlers that may not be able to afford them due to
extraordinary circumstances. While doing all that, I also find myself
refereeing from time to time. I officiated 6year-olds all day a few weeks back
and could barely move for two to three days! I stick to the older kids
now when it comes to officiating."
Sweazy has also been active this past year as a panel member on a
"Cancer Survivor Dialogue" featured on Salina's Public Access Television.
"There were five of us at various stages and with different types of
cancer," Sweazy said. "The show is designed to help inform people in our
area about how to deal with cancer. We take a look at the serious and
humorous sides of cancer treatment."
Though Sweazy feels as though his year spent wrestling lymphoma set him
back, he comes away from the experience with an appreciation for life
that gives him an edge unknown to some his age.
"I look at stuff a lot different now," Sweazy said. "I don't take
things for granted and I've learned to walk slower and enjoy the scenery.
After all that I went through, I think we should truly appreciate what
life has in store, even if your day might not be going as well as
planned."

Aaron is a man full of goodness. If you look at the pattern of what he does, he is constantly giving his efforts to do good things for others. He is always giving of himself to support, promote, cheer on other people.

We need more people like him. We are lucky to have him representing Kansas and involved in our sport!

Kit Harris

Thank you Kit. Honestly though it depends on who you ask. I will be upfront and state that some people may question things I do on here, but my passion and heart you really can't question. I will say that I told people that I honestly thought I should be up for man of the year and even typed out my "wrestling resume" because I wanted it so bad to feel like I did something positive for the sport other than be that cancer survivor dude standing on the side of the mat that brought inspiration. I never was a phenomenal wrestler, just always amongst them and just wish some of my fellow teammates from high school and even college had the love of the sport I have.


There comes a time however where I have said things on this board out of disgust for my fellow wrestling man based off comments bragging about things like getting people fired, judging official's calls, and calling out a kid on the forums based off of performance or some other audible. But I'm no innocent man either, as a guy that really has had many ups and downs I've said or started things that I look back on that I thought may have been right, that I now realize, well maybe I was wrong...not everyone can be perfect, most of us can't even come close which is why we ask for forgiveness to whom ever our God shall be.

Whether you be Muslim or Christian or any other religious group or non religious group you can always ask for forgiveness. I want to not only ask forgiveness of my God and savior Jesus Christ, but to the wrestling family not only here in Kansas but nationwide.

I don't think it takes a scholar to realize I along with others have said things on the forums that we probably should have bitten our tongues on. Heck guys while the FUR group holds some merit off of actual events about roadkill and random animal stories that I'll go into detail about later, it doesn't take a genius to realize that maybe, just maybe I really should have been saying FU for you know what all along with RDS for Richard D. Salyer.


Richard and I were going at it with sharp tongue about something super petty and our egos snapped at each other many times in the past, but on the day Greg Grater passed on some comments were thrown each other's way and were juvenile to say the least. Randy Hinderliter sent myself and Salyer a comment that spoke little words but had a lot of impact that day and said the following:

"I really hope that two gentleman I have some admiration for can put their
pettiness to rest. At least on a day we should be mindful of Greg Grater.
I hope you each delete your posts."

Randy's message immediantly had a reality check moment and had me feeling so bad for 1 snappy reply I put up on the internet. Of all the days when Kansas lost a pioneer and outstanding leader in the wrestling community, I was busy trying to see who could come off as more arrogant between Mr. Salyer and myself, and frankly I won. As someone that has battled cancer and had to sign my life policy over to a funeral home during the peak of my illness, I honestly shouldn't be here, but seeing as I am I should remember not everyone gets a 2nd chance in life, and this chance should not be taken to be "Stodgy Swayz".

While Mr. Salyer and I have not seen eye to eye, I wish I would have been able to see him this past week at Greg's funeral. I know Richard has done a tremendous amout of volunteer work on the sidelines to help USAW-Kansas flourish and had gotten to know Greg over the years. I was ready to call a truce and extend my hand and man up for my immaturity toward Richard, and the offer still stands if he ever wants to shake mine in return.


Getting back to all of my deep thinking recently:

I have found myself lately watching the Inspiration channel and the testiments of other people and instead of finding joy in my triumph with cancer, I find sadness in the health battles lost by others. When I was at Clay Center for Greg's funeral I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was still here and he wasn't, just the way I felt when Tyler Graebner passed on. Both Tyler and Greg were too young to go at the age they did even though they were some 40+ years different in age.


Getting back to my "wrestling resume" and the man of the year deal, in all honesty I think the Grater family deserves to be the Persons of the Year. With all the adversity they faced while Greg wrestled with his health, they were still there as a major face on the wrestling scene making sure things ran smoothly on the mats from Goodland to Kansas City and Marysville to Ark city and all stops in between in preparation for the upcomming State Tournament. They weren't in the fast lane as much as they had been in the past years, but, the wheels were still turning and they kept going when life gave them a detour. Many would have dropped everything, but as a testiment to the integrity and work ethic, and down right passion they have for the sport of wrestling, The Grater's were someone we could and still count on as a wrestling extended family. Grater's deserve this one hands down in my book!


To reference Randy Hinderliter again (hope that's ok Randy), he has what is without a doubt the best signature on any message board wrestling or not:

"Are you making a POSITIVE difference in the life of kids?"

If you notice he has POSITIVE in all CAPS, and I realized when the light bulb finally lit above my head that maybe I was making an impact in the life of kids, but was it POSITIVE? I know many young men...and women, frequent these forums and take what they read as THE TRUTH because it's written, if you want THE THRUTH, go read a BIBLE! I am a mere man that makes mistakes, and admitting to those, I hope will in turn create that POSITIVE difference not only in the life of kids, but the lives of everyone I touch.

In closing I'd like to give a personal thanks to forum member Bking who called out myself and Salyer on the forums. Bking for those who don't know is a bright high school student (or so he claims) who sent me a delightfull private message about how he hacked into my account and knew that I self nominated myself as Man of the Year and that Fur was really meant as a jab at someone who frankly does more than I do in the wrestling community.


While Bking may take credit for me coming out and admitting to my sins because of his threats, I will honestly say I've planned on doing this a while back when the aforementioned Randy Hinderliter sent that brief message talking about being Petty on a day when we lost a great leader. I realized if I want to be a leader one day like the example set forth by guys like Greg, Randy, Mike Juby, and so many more in the wrestling community I should come clean and Bking just helped me out in all honesty to come clean instead of bottling up animosity and self praise.

A man who takes all the credit for himself and shows hate toward others is not living a healthy life according to the plan of God. God gave me a 2nd chance to be here again, 3rd time probably won't be the charm, and thus I myself and everyone of us need to learn to not take anything for granted, so thank you Bking (whoever you are) for being an angel in disguise and letting me come clean of some of my sins that I have created here on these forums.

In closing I'd like to get back to Kit Harris saying I'm a man of goodness. I don't know what a measure of goodness is to equal a man, but I do know I love the sport of wrestling and have come to know many of the "characters" from this forum to be those of GREATNESS. Let's face it we feed off each other, and in some cases get way to competitive trying to one up each other on and off the mats (TACO SHOP and Wendy's 99c menu challenge still has to be the funniest things I've seen in the spirit of competition).

But, we are only as good as God allows, I know that Kit a few years back was Man of the Year a role that he downplays with his great humble attitude. What many don't realize is Kit might be one of the best examples of what is right with our sport! I sat on "Zebra Row" with the referees at 4a State in Salina, and saw a coach overjoyed with emotion pick up his young wrestler and jump up in down celebrating a quarterfinal win...A QUARTERFINAL! (Not just Kit but Jefferson West and a few others)

I know Kit was estatic, smile beaming on his face, tear in his eye (probably something got in it I'm sure ) and was pumping his fist in excitement following a QUARTERFINAL WIN! I'm anxious for a Championship win individually or team wise to see if Kit will start back flipping and singing "We Are The Champions"?

Kit, I can't thank you enough for kind words you said to me at that state tournament. While I was busy running around trying to make things perfect for my colleagues in stripes (which I hope I did), you pulled me to the side and told me something along the lines that you appreciated all that I did to help Kansas wrestling. Little do you know how much of an impression that left on my heart coming from a man of your integrity, that I find myself in tears of graciousness right now for just those simple bits of appreciation.

I have truly realized that Randy's quote of POSITIVE difference doesn't take much, heck a Good Job or Atta Boy or even a Thank You can mean the world to a child of God whether they be 5 years old or 25 years old like myself. So in closing to all my friends, family, foes, admirers, and haters in the wrestling community and in life I wish to say THANK YOU! For without a melting pot of different personalities and prides on the line, we would never have such a great place we live in and we'd all lead a very mundane and boring life.

THANK YOU ALL, and GOD BLESS!

Aaron, I’ll keep my comments short to you, I love you like a brother and am so proud of you. I have never seen you sit down and write such a long message. I know you hate them, and as a result, you must have poured out your heart.

To everyone else, we all make mistakes, I know I have, but I don’t take lightly the aspect of calling those on these boards family. Family means that you endure, even during the tough times. We live in a society and culture where it is so easy to just throw things away and give up. I have made comments in the past that if the church, could only experience family and community like those in the wrestling community. While that comment may offend some, I find it to be true, at least for me. We all make mistakes, we all do things we shouldn’t, we all at times have issues of pride, including me, and every other person who has posted on these boards, whether that be acts on the boards or off, we are all guilty. There is the assumption that Swayz and I, or others maybe all the time get along. I wish that were the case. Swayz and I, and others can likely tell you of times we didn't get a long, but we made effort to maintain relationship.

I must make a personal issue somewhat public, to illustrate my point. A month or so ago, I received a phone call from a member on these boards basically calling me out. I was on the phone at the time and rather busy and didn’t want to take the time to talk to them. Right after my phone conversation, I did call them back, I felt I owed them the decency of honoring their request. For almost an hour we had a conversation, for the first 30 minutes of so there was a lot of yelling, harsh language and more. I can also say that for the last 30 minutes there was a lot of fence mending and I gained a greater respect for the person. It took them being willing to speak to me face to face on this issue to make things right between us, and I am glad they did.

March is a happy time for me, and a sad time. It is the month we as a wrestling family ha lost two wonderful people, over the last 2 years, Tyler Graebner and Greg Grater. I will grieve in March, likely as long as I live. It is also the day we come together on the biggest wrestling stage in the state of Kansas and celebrate with the Kids State Championships. With all the sadness I think it is important at least for me, to celebrate the happy and good times with family. I am happy to not only call Swayz brother, but Salyer brother. There just isn’t enough of a guarantee of life left to live life any other way. I'm sure I'll have disagreements with them in the future, that don't change the fact that we have a common love and share some great memories.

I am working on my sermon this morning, from Ephesians 4. I am going to include a link, read it and see if you think it is relavant or not.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204;&version=46;

Again Swayz, you are an ambassador for our state. I know how much you do and appreciate it. I also agree, Greg Grater would be the perfect choice for man of the year this year.

Dang Swayz ... would you like a glass of Kool-aid?

Seriously, that was quite the confessional from you. Once in a while we all need to check ourselves.

In my life I've had many opportunities to fire back or blast someone who has lit my torch. Sometimes I do but seldom am I very happy with my response.

My Mom taught me, to make sure my words were sweet because I might have to eat them! I try to make my Mom proud. Sometimes ... I fail miserably!

Greg Grater will be named Wrestling USA's Man of the Year. This selection was made last week for many of the same reasons you mentioned.

I look forward to seeing many of you next Sunday in Abilene!!

Aaron you are truely a great man and a great friend. I'm not happy how you and I became such good freinds (Tyler's clinic at Buhler) after all, our deep friendship grew as a result of meeting for a bad situation for such a true fighter. Non the less, I value our friendship and I'll remember this past year's state experience with you.

You are an ambassitor of this sport and I admire you and all you've done and have yet to do. I'm glad I can call you one of my wrestling brothers...