Exciting Weekend - Wrestling

[Pullstart 62,834]

I was a pretty good wrestler.  I started in 1st or 2nd grade, and worked up through 9th, between freestyle and middle school / high school teams.  8th grade, I was bumped up to the varsity team and I believe I was in the 155 weight class most of my later years.  I tore my corroded artery and suffered some internal bleeding, making me to decide to end my career wrestling, and begin working.  The coaches weren’t happy, the principal and vice principals persecuted me, but at wouldn’t let their actions change my goals and decisions.
 

Fast forward about 23 years.  Rylee wants to wrestle.  I contacted the coaches of the local club and because she homeschools, they told me she cannot join middle school team, but could wrestle in the club.  Two different organizations, club and team.  She began practice two weeks ago.  Twice a week, and last week Tuesday we showed up for a practice and there was a young kid’s meet being made up from the scheduled Monday it should have been on.  Then, after two practices and one meet in the stands, she decided it was time to enter her own competition.  Thursday practice, we signed her up.  Most weight classes have a Novice and an Open division.  Because of her age, her only option was Open division, where it’s assumed there are at least two years of wrestling under your belt.  She had three practices!  Of the 5 kids in her class, there were two girls.  She didn’t win any matches, but she never backed down and never gave up fighting.  I’m dang proud of that kid, for even the courage to show up!  When I was warming her up in the corner, getting her arms and shoulders loose like my coaches used to do for me, I was hit with a couple of tears.  That sure doesn’t happen to this gruff dude, but it did!  The other girl ended up second, which I believe is very inspiring to another girl just starting.  This weekend, there might be a girls division.  I’m not sure, based on the age group though.  She has a bit of a shiner on her right eye this morning, some bruises and burns on her arms, and is all smiles!

 

 

[squonk 41,064]

[Pullstart 62,834]

No way, that’s acting.

[ri702bill 8,314]

Fast forward a bit - she asks Dad for the keys to the truck, and it's Best 2 out of 3!!!

Seriously, good for both of you...

Bill

[clueless 2,986]

1 hour ago, squonk said:

House of Representatives trying to vote for a new Speaker 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,525]

Good support network!!! Nicely done Kevin!

 

It will serve her well in life on all levels...

 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

Kevin,

Sounds like our kids have more than horses in common. Brennan has been wrestling since he was 4. He is now a sophomore and in his second year at varsity. He is undefeated so far this year. Won our home tourney this past weekend. I made the mistake of working out/wrestling him last week at practice (I also coach some). 

[953 nut 55,175]

20 hours ago, Pullstart said:

No way, that’s acting.

Most of you are probably too young to remember this but John Stossel confronted the question of Professional Wrestling being fake.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1589592364761539

This is the infamous 20/20 episode where Eddy Mansfield showed John Stossel how wrestlers cut themselves with razor blades to get blood and where Stossel got slapped by Dr. D David Schultz for asking him if wrestling was fake.

 

 

[WHX?? 48,814]

My boy wrestled in hs too. Big boy his opponents would see his size and run. Most other teams didn't have a wrestler in his weight class so he would win by default which was points for his team in tourneys. 

 

First row right 

Edited January 24, 2023 by WHX??

[WHX?? 48,814]

16 hours ago, stevebo said:

Brennan has been wrestling since he was 4

My how that boy has grown Steve. Wrestling, moto x, tractors...what does that youngster doesn't do! They just grow like weeds!

 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

6 hours ago, WHX?? said:

My how that boy has grown Steve. Wrestling, moto x, tractors...what does that youngster doesn't do! They just grow like weeds!

 

I miss these days….

Second photo is vinsrj, brennanbo and me checking out the 55’ at one of the early meet and greets in CT

[Pullstart 62,834]

Exciting day today!  Rylee’s second tournament.  5 practices ever.  She entered into the girls division, something not every meet has.  Her first bout, she pinned the girl in 41 seconds.  Second, she was pinned after some tough competition.  That girl ended up placing first.  Her third round, she won by points and time and placed second!  I’m so proud of her accomplishments, and even other club’s parents were pointing out her strength and potential talents.  Awesome day!

[Pullstart 62,834]

This weekend was a huge weekend for Rylee!  She has had a sprained ankle the last couple weeks.  Lots of tape, lots of ice water epsom salt baths, she’s too stubborn to rest at practice.  Friday morning was the Girls State MyWay Championship.  There were 561 girls at the show.  There were 24 in her weight class.  She started with a pin, then two losses.  She ended with two more wins and placed 7th.  We’re so proud of her!  With the end of MyWay, begins WAAAM, a laid back practice style tournament.  Saturday morning, after wrestling all day Friday, we traveled an hour in the other direction for another tournament, we’re she had 4 boys and 1 girl in her class.  She began getting pinned by her first two boys she wrestled.  They worked her pretty hard, she lasted more than anyone else in the class against them.  They ended up placing first and second.  Then, she wrestled the other girl in her class and beat her by technical fall, 16 points to 0.  Her last two boys, she made light work of them and pinned ‘em both, for a 3rd place accomplishment and her first boy pins ever!  
 

Here are pictures of the State Championship day.  Her coaches are pretty big fans.  Her teammates are coming around too 

[Pullstart 62,834]

One more I missed from Friday, with her hand raised high.  Then our Saturday tourney, and I received an award as well!  I got clocked at 69 in a 55.  Oops about that!  I’ve been a little scatterbrained (more than normal) lately.  I had no words when the ocipher asked what the hurry was…. 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,525]

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

good for her - - awesome sport - certainly challenging - no teammates like soccer or lacrosse - football basketball etc - you are out there all by yourself -- you get all the credit, or all the repsonsibility if you don't win -- I wrestled through high school and in college for a national caliber D3 program - its a wonderful life experience - trains you for life in ways i can't explain here -- perserverance, training, mental discipline etc -- I also was referee - high school level up to being assigned/selected to do county, sectional and State Championship matches..... as well as having National License for Greco Roman and Freestyle and referee for an Olympic Regional Trials -- seeing the athletes and coaches and parents at that intimate level of competition makes wrestling a sport like few others so i am hopeful she enjoys it as a life experience for how it builds character and sportsmanhip, dedication and scarifice -- as i said - no one else is getting the rebound if you dont - no one else is stopping the soccer goal shot if you dont!! Only warning is life time injuries later in life -- the joints and especially the back and neck suffer in the later years -- oh yeah, my mom couldn't watch - too much for her to see her son doing that !!! Baseball etc was ok - but wrestling too much for this mom to see in person !!!!!!!!!!! lastly, if she didnt see the NCAA wrestling championships last week i am sure she can find replay on espn  - would be great for her learning and development to see that level of skill -- Good luck!

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,330]

I literally just got back from the high school nationals with my son down in Virginia Beach about an hour ago. My son did great. First match he drew the number 1 seed and that kid ended up winning the tourney…. Brennan wrestled tough and got two more battles in going 1/1 after the first hammer. 
it was a great team bonding experience for all. He had like 2/3 of the team travel to wrestle. 

It is good to see Rylee enjoying the sport Kev! The girls division is one of the fastest growing with huge participation. 

[Pullstart 62,834]

Next week, Rylee starts her first public school day in 7 years of home school.  I was signing her up for wrestling team stuff, handing in her sports physical and whatnot last Wednesday, and she decided she should join the football team.  They welcomed her as the school’s only girl player, and tonight was pictures.  I’m not a football fan.  She never has.  Proud dad tonight, walking to pictures with her Marine uncle (last day home on leave from base) and her big sister.

 

He was the quarterback of his team, and now she’s a running back here.  Though I kind of resented the majority of players in my school, I’m excited for the days she gets to wear her game jersey to school to walk the halls with pride!

[SylvanLakeWH 25,525]

 

Note to defensemen on opposing teams: "Be afraid... be very afraid" 

[rmaynard 15,434]

Not the same "football" but if you have been following the women's soccer (football) world cup, the Australian team has a team captain named Sam (Samantha) Kerr. When she played junior football, she played as a boy on the boys team. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12403151/Matildas-Sam-Kerr-kept-gender-secret-junior-football-played-against-boys.html

"Matildas superstar Sam Kerr opens up on why she kept her gender a secret as a junior footballer: 'One of the boys cried when he found out I was a girl"

 

As we say around here..."you go girl"

 

 

[Pullstart 62,834]

Wow @rmaynard quite the story!  It’s like the Disney movie Mulan, where she enlisted in the Chinese Army to defend her family’s name, knowing it was an all high crime to do so.  
 

Rylee took a pretty dirty hit from a kid yesterday in practice, and she walked it off.  Another boy asked if she was alright, and swallowing her emotions, she shrugged it off.  The next turn the caring one had, he clobbered the offensive one.  At water break, he and another kid told her that if she’s ever in trouble, they have her back.  That was a pretty remarkable story to hear, after just one week.  Remember, she knows very little people in school, but she’s already proving herself.  Talking with me about it, we discussed to never be a 40 (the dirty kid) and eventually with her as a ball carrier, he’s going to have to support her whether from the field or sideline - even if he doesn’t like it.

[Pullstart 62,834]

48 minutes ago, rmaynard said:

As we say around here..."you go girl"

also, the coaches (speaking to the masses, and I’m sure out of habit) reference boys to the team.  “Alright boys, ….”  “Good job, boys…”. Etc.

 

I heard once, and have started telling Rylee “Attaboy, girl.”  It makes her giggle.  It’s great to see your kids happy!

[Pullstart 62,834]

Last nice marked one year from Rylee’s first meet.  She has been advancing like crazy!  Summer wrestling camps, strength and conditioning camps, and fall football have made her into an incredible athlete.  She has likely cost me more money at the chiropractor this last year, than my own doings for sure.  I love teaching her new moves or techniques, then I hate when she uses them on me in the basement (her grandpa bought her a 10’x10’ practice mat)!  
 

The orange shoes in some pictures, her grandpa wore when he was in high school.  They were passed down to his uncle, and he gave them to her for Christmas.  They don’t fit exactly perfect, but there’s a nostalgia to them!

 

 

[Pullstart 62,834]

The team received their new singlets mid season.

 

More hands raised than not… I think her record against boys for the season is about 50/50 wins and losses but they do their best to pair up the girls still.

 

 

Edited January 23 by Pullstart

[Pullstart 62,834]

The other night a junior on her team achieved his 100th win, and I have been able to get in an exhibition match of my own.