Mrs. Santiago, again I want to clarify that my comments have nothing to do with Stephen. He is a great kid and a great wrestler. I can't tell you how much I have respected you and your family over the years I have been in Kansas. In many ways, I don't see Steven as doing anything wrong in this situation. That much should be, and I think is clear.
My issue is with an official making a call that they do not personally observe, that has such a dramatic impact on a wrestler. There are a number of rules that fall into this category. This week I was officiating a match when a kid threw a quick headlock and took the kid to the mat. Immediately, the coach started yelling "illegal, illegal." I'll admit, I got to position as quick as I could to see the illegal headlock but by the time I got there I just didn't see it, the kid had an arm, and there was nothing illegal about the hold at that point. Now for those that have seen me officiate, I do my best to move quickly for a big guy, I try to protect the wrestler, and do everything I can to provide as fair a playing field as possible. But I feel, that I must observe the illegal tactic before I can call it. A bite, pulling one or two fingers, that type of thing is sometimes difficult to observe. There are sometimes indications that a foul or penalty has occurred, but I know enough to know that the appearance of something does not always make it so. Now I must also state here, that I don't know if the official in this case saw the event, again, I wasn't there and pertaining to this match, if he saw it he saw it.
If the official sees this call and makes it I have no issue with the rule being the rule. Now I may not like the consequences of the rule and at that point, I have to work to change the rule, or the consequences. I personally think that if this type of action is not typical of this young man, or if it is something, he has never done, then the penalty is too harsh for the crime. That is something I would personally like to see our rules committee look at in the future. That is not a comment for or against any wrestler in this particular situation. It is a comment that I would hope would benefit all wrestlers who may, or may not have, made a one-time mistake. Unfortunately, I think there are grounds for an appeal; the other unfortunate though is that as best as I can indicate, it would be a minimum of 10-15 days before a ruling would come into play on something like this. That is just too late for the kid except as a matter of principle, which by the way I think is worth it. I would hope that another consideration is that we could have a quicker appeal process in a situation like this, a situation, where what is fair and right is provided for everyone involved.
Coach Sacquitne, one last thing about Coach D. He has coached my son in the past, and I can honestly say, that I don�t know of many people I would rather have in my sons� corner than Coach D. Why? I know as a parent, that he will stand up for my son and always do what he can to help him out and insure a fair playing field. I may not always like his tactics as an opponent, but I personally can�t tell you how much I admire him for his loyalty to the wrestlers he coaches. Ask him, we have had words when he coached against my son, and great times when he coaches my son. I�d want him as a coach as opposed to an adversary any day.