I'm the mother of a first year wrestler and had the opportunity to work a table with other parents from the Baldwin Club at the Ottawa district tournament. We had to work the table (I was the timekeeper) for only 3 hours...it was incredibly stressful. I didn't have a huge job; I wasn't the wrestler trying with all my might to win the match nor was I the ref trying to make sure I called all the right points and ensure a safe match, nor was I the one keeping score....no, I was in charge of the stopwatch! Until we sit at that table, remember to judge not in haste. I have a new found respect. To Melinda and Lee and the kids that helped at Table 7 and the refs who showed patience with OUR novice tableworking....Thanks for the experience, I had fun. Suz

If more people volunteered and experianced the full pace of a tournament I think there would be less complaints. Glad you enjoyed the experiance!
Jon Murray
Parsons Wrestling

In my opinion keeping the stopwatch IS the most stressful job at the table. Just wait until there is a close call that comes down to the person working the stopwatch.

I really think that every team coach should request that each parent of their wrestlers experience tableworking for at least one tournament each year. This would give the parents several advantages as well as show their wrestler that they do support the sport. My child loves the fact that his mother and sisters work tables. Tableworking is an experience in itself. When you work anything at the table, even the stopwatch or table runner, you gain more knowledge of what is going on on the mat, what the rules are, how kids in your childs bracket are doing(if your lucky enough to get your childs table). COACHES: I plead with you---reuqest each of your parents to at least work a table at any tournament. I go to the head table at each of my childs tournaments and for every tournament except one this year they needed table workers. You would think that with 300 wrestlers and 1000 or more other people in the gym that a shortage of tableworkers would not be a problem. But it really is. Not to mention that with experience working a table can make for better more qualified tableworkers when it comes to the finals. I have loved this sport for more then 6 yrs and tableworking IS really fun even though it can be stressful.
For those parents who choose not to work a table that is YOUR loss. You would not believe how much more you can enjoy this sport when you get the total just of it.