I started dealing with burnout during my sixth year of wrestling, in the sixth grade. I credit splitting my time wrestling and playing basketball in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades for allowing me to get through high school as a wrestler. But I was still burned out. Mostly I believe I was extremely competitive and could not handle losing. My sopohomore year I lost at districts in kids and decided to not wrestle in state, I look at that as one of my mistakes in life. I believe the best way to handle any sports situation near the end of the season is you can quit when the season is over. Oddly enough, I went out for basketball my junior year, was cut from the team, then won a wrestling state championship. The best thing my high school coach Jeff Watkins ever did for me was calling me during my 10th and 11th grade years and asking if I was going to wrestle. Also he stopped asking me if I was warmed up, he asked me if I was mentally ready to wrestle. He knew if I wanted to wrestle and was ready, I would do well.