Wrestling Talk Forums supported
USA Wrestling-Kansas KWCA Wrestling Talk Forums supported & maintained by USA Wrestling-Kansas USAW USA Wrestling-Kansas 
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55086 03/19/05 03:45 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
Mike Furches Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
I am saddened to report that tonight, March 18, 2005 at approximately 8:30 PM 8-year-old Tyler Graebner left his shoes on the mat and retired from his long battle. As a wrestler he inspired Olympic, World, and NCAA Champions. In December of 2004 he was named USA Wrestler of the Week for the inspiration he had provided so many. The legacy that he has left because of his battle will inspire and motivate many for years to come. May we all remember the battle he fought and the lessons he taught us. I was blessed to be with him along with my wife and son, but more importantly many family members, were present. Remember especially in your prayers the close family that remains, including mother and father, James and Christina, and brother and sister, Patrick and Amber. More on services will follow in the days to come.

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55087 03/19/05 04:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 448
M
Michael Malay Offline
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 448
i am very saddened to hear this report. i have prayed for him for the last few months. R.I.P Tyler Graebner

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55088 03/19/05 06:29 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 846
Computerized Shoes Offline
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 846
I'm saddened to hear the news. I barely even knew the little guy but yet I felt kinda close to him through the community and through everyone that was involved. It was a privelege to be able to wrestle for a cause that went his direction and through Tyler many people have grown close and come together. I am aw-struck that such a thing could happen to one so innocent but God has a place for everyone and now his in a better place. God bless. He and his family will be in my prayers.


Taggin' for Tyler
Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55089 03/19/05 06:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 91
hayhouse Offline
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 91
I am sorry to hear this, I have never meet tyler, but just by reading what you guys have said i have gain alot of respect for this little guy. A hero now and will always be.

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55090 03/19/05 06:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 531
M
mike fairleigh Offline
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 531
Godspeed, young warrior, and most heartfelt condolences to the Graebner family from the Fairleighs.

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55091 03/20/05 04:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,261
A
Aaron Sweazy Offline
Member
Offline
Member
A
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,261
I was at his bedside about a week ago before venturing up do DII Nationals. He had a smile on his face hiding the obvious pain. He was a warrior up until the end and will always be remembered as a champion.


Yours in wrestling,

The Swayz
swayz.wrestling@gmail.com recruiting help, promoting the sport& more!
Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55092 03/20/05 04:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,538
B
Bronco Wrestler Offline
Member
Offline
Member
B
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,538
There's no greater Champion this year than Tyler, he made the ultimate sacrafice and gave it all he had to be every victorious in route to standing on the highest podium step known as heaven, godspeed and god bless Tyler

Alex Ryan


Alex R. Ryan
KSHSAA Official #15616
USAWKS Official #707
Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55093 03/20/05 04:33 AM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
Mike Furches Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
Services for Tyler Graebner are as Follows.
Location: Elliot’s Funeral Home Hutchinson Kansas
Receiving of friends and family, Sunday, March 20,2005, 5:00 PM –
Visitation at funeral home, all day Monday, March 21, 2005
Funeral: Tuesday, March 22, 11:00 AM Tuesday Elliot’s Funeral Home, Hutchinson, Kansas
Grave Side Service: Immediately following the funeral.

We will also be celebrating Tyler’s life and contribution to the wrestling community at the Kansas State Kids Wrestling Tournament. This will take place at various times with the presentation of the flag, by either Tyler’s family or his wrestling team during the opening ceremonies, and on Saturday March 26: at 1:30 PM prior to the start of the Kansas Kids Finals and Championships with a celebration of the retirement of the shoes, and Tag Team Wrestling for Tyler.

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55094 03/20/05 04:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
M
Malcuit Family Offline
Member
Offline
Member
M
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
How sad it was to hear about Tyler. We personally don't know him but after reading about him feel we did know him. We have children in Kids Wrestling. What a sacrific this little guy gave. He will always be a hero in everyone's books and definitly a Champion. Always remember he will be watching from above and will be cheering everyone on. Our prayers go to the family. GOD BLESS

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55095 03/21/05 11:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 329
S
Scooby Offline
Member
Offline
Member
S
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 329
prayers for Tylers family and friends and he will be one that will be remembered for a long time because of this forum. Keep up the good fight for Tyler and others

God Bless

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55096 03/22/05 02:54 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 46
D. Fairleigh Offline
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 46
So, we get to wrestle one more time for tyler at the colosium.

Tag Team round 3 in memory of tyler.


Fortunes Favors the Brave
Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55097 03/23/05 09:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 104
wrestler17105 Offline
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 104
we should keep this going for him even after the state tournament. i am extremely sorry to hear this and i will keep pushing to do everything in life like he had pushed to keep going. i wish this never would have happened but everything happens for a reason. no one give up no matter what. he's touched so many people in just a few short months and i think that everyone that has done anything for him be that tag team or personal involvement will always carry a piece of him with them for all of their life.

With great respect,

James Watts


Everyone needs an inspiration like Tyler. He fought harder than anyone ever has on a wrestling mat and it was for his life.
Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55098 03/23/05 11:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
Mike Furches Offline OP
Member
OP Offline
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,934
Guys, this won't be the last time. I promise that. I also promise you this, the originators are always welcome on the mat. We were the first and we all had a part of something special, you guys have given Tyler new life to a whole new group of folks. Keep the flame burning.

Re: Tyler Leaves Shoes on the Mat #55099 03/24/05 04:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 104
wrestler17105 Offline
Member
Offline
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 104
make sure i know ahead of time and i'll schedule around it. no matter what i'll be there next time.


Everyone needs an inspiration like Tyler. He fought harder than anyone ever has on a wrestling mat and it was for his life.

Moderated by  Nate Naasz, RedStorm 

Who's Online Now
0 registered members (), 143 guests, and 3 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
bvswwrestling, CoachFitzOS, Dluce, Shawn Russell, CorbinPickerill
12302 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums10
Topics36,088
Posts250,717
Members12,302
Most Online1,305
Mar 13th, 2025
Top Posters(All Time)
usawks1 8,595
smokeycabin 6,248
Aaron Sweazy 5,261
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.2
(Release build 20190702)
PHP: 7.2.34 Page Time: 0.048s Queries: 13 (0.005s) Memory: 0.8092 MB (Peak: 1.0003 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2025-07-17 16:00:06 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS