Sometimes our passion for the sport lets us loose sight of what is really important in our role as coaches and supporters. Teaching in a small rural area, I have many student athletes that must work on the farm or have a job after school to help pay the bills. We ask these young men to participate in sports year around, get good grades, and to make huge sacrifices of time.
Sometimes, I wish all my wrestlers could afford to attend all sorts of camps and to wrestle in all of the big tournaments, but this is not a reality for most in our community. However; I must remember that all of the practices and time spent with them is not wasted if they do not win, or attend all the en vogue camps and tournaments, but that the memories created can not be bought, they must be lived and shared together.
I am hopefully passing on lessons they will be able to use in other aspects of their lives. I hope that I help to bring out the best each wrestler has to offer and that they leave our wrestling room mentally tough, confident, and ready to take on the many adventures of life.
Each of these fine young men are champions in my heart for the sacrifices they make for themselves and our school.