I have been involved with wrestling a long time now and have seen this sport bring out the best in people, and unfortunately, also the worst. Whenever I see a competitor, or parent display what appears to be outward hatred and anger to an opponent I am amazed! I am also reminded of a great quote by East Kansas’s own Eric Akin,

“How can I hate the man I set out to conquer when he trains like me, has the same goals as me, thinks like me, loves the same sport as me, accepts the same challenges as me, weighs the same as me, when there is no one else as similar as me, Because of these things I love who he is and because of that I can defeat him."

That kid on the other side of the mat deserves to be treated with the same respect that you would want your son to be treated with. He deserves that respect, as does every kid who steps out on the mat.

Referees however are fair game!!