D4 Pre-Season 2019 rankings

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Thank you Dust Devil Dad for the feedback and updates. I have incorporated them as requested. Keep them coming. Santa Cruz is seriously looking tough and a major contender for state.


D4-106


· 1- S3 – Porter of Mogollon

· 2 – S2 - Mason Palmer of Pima 34-5, (9th) 4th at state middle school

· 3 - S3 – Davian Guanajuato of Santa Cruz

· 4 -

· 5 -

· 6 -


D4 - 113

· 1- S2 - Gilbert Rodriguez of San Manuel (10th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Austin Doom of Wickenburg (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S2 - Marcus Morales of Morenci (10th) 5th state

· 4 – S3 - OGLE BRYANT or Wyatt Ogle of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 6th state or 1st state


· 5 – S4 - Zachary Ruiz (Page) 37-12, (10th) 3rd at sectionals

D4-120

· 1- S3 - Dominic Mastroianni of Fountain Hills (11th) 2nd state

· 2 – S4 - Boaz Bastrus of St. Johns (10th) 3rd state

· 3 – S2 - Calvin Dunning of Morenci (11th) 4th state

· 3 – S1 - Keene Todacheene of Camp Verde (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Gabe Fuentes of Willcox (12th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 - Emilio Ysaguirre of (Santa Cruz) 27-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school



D4-126

· 1 – S4 - Tanner Crosby of St. Johns (11th) 4th state

· 2 – S2 - Seth Durbin of Globe (10th) 6th state

· 3 –S4 - Kaleb June (Page) 31-11 (11th) 2nd at sectionals

· 4 – S3 - Joaquin Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley 6th state




D4-132

· 1- S1 - Korben Uhler of Camp Verde (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S3 - Dylan Workman of Round Valley (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Seth Reidhead of Mogollon (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S2 - Ruben (Tito) Casillas of Morenci (12th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Kelby Flowers of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 – Steve Calvin of Santa Cruz (9th) 2nd at Tempe State



D4-138

· 1 – S1 - Anthony Tinghitella of Camp Verde (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S4 - Kaiden Smith of St. Johns (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Timmy Porter of Mogollon (11th) 4th state

. 4 – S4 – Joseph Stansfield (Page) 19-11 (12th) 4th at sectionals


D4-145

· 1 – S4 - Cameron Baldwin of Joseph City (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Tate Grote of Wickenburg (12th) 3rd state

· 3 – S3 - Marc Irigoyen of Round Valley (11th) 6th state

. 4 – S1 – Enrique Macias of Yuma Catholic 52-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school

. 5 – S2 – Cody Torres (Morenci) 31-2, (9th) 3rd at state middle school

D4-152

· 1 – S1 - Nicholas Steele of San Pasqual (10th) 1st state

· 1 – S4 – Hayden Gracia of Page (12th) (transfer from D3) 1st state

· 3 – S1 - Jake Borneman of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - OGLE HUNTER of Santa Cruz Valley (10th) 2nd state

· 5 – S2 - DAVID ENS of Benson (12th) 3rd state

· 6 – S2 - Mark Roybal of Morenci (12th) 4th state


D4-160

· 1 – S1 - Brandon Garcia of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 1st state

· 1 – S3 - Andres Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 1st state

· 3 – S2 - KYLER CURTIS of Benson (12th) 5th state


D4-170

· 1 – S3 – Diego Chavez of Santa Cruz Valley 1st state (9th) grade. This guy is the real deal

· 2 – S4 - Michael Densmore of Winslow (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Colter Hogle of Round Valley (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S1 - Gavin Davis of Arizona Lutheran (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Brennon Hughes of Pima (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S4 - Chase Jarvis of St. Johns (12th) 6th state


D4-182

· 1 – S1 - Conrad Brady of Camp Verde (10th) 2nd state

· 2 – S3 - Leyton Kauffman of Fountain Hills (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S3 - Jad Mazboudi of Az College Prep (11th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 - Don Tisdale of Odyssey Institute (12th) 6th state

· 5 – S4 - Kimball Begay (Page) 36-13 (11th) 3rd at sectionals


D4-195

· 1 – S2 - Clayson Goodwin of Benson (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S2 - Caiden Hall of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 3 – S1 – Anthony Taylor of Parker (9th) 2nd Tempe state middle school


D4-220

· 1 – S4 - Calvert Tsosie of Pinon (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Derek Henderson of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Gauge Bryce of Thatcher (12th) 5th state


D4-285

· 1 – S1 - John Pina of Odyssey Institute (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Dominick Sahhar of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Quinten Mack of Thatcher (12th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 – Alan Abril of Camp Verde (9th) 3rd state middle school

· 5 – S3 – Taz Gil of Santa Cruz (12th) 5th state middle school
 
Last edited:

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Thank you for the feedback and updates. I have incorporated them as requested. Keep them coming.


D4-106


· 1- S3 – Porter of Mogollon

· 2 – S2 - Mason Palmer of Pima 34-5, (9th) 4th at state middle school

· 3 - S3 – Davian Guanajuato of Santa Cruz

· 4 -

· 5 -

· 6 -


D4 - 113

· 1- S2 - Gilbert Rodriguez of San Manuel (10th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Austin Doom of Wickenburg (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S2 - Marcus Morales of Morenci (10th) 5th state

· 4 – S3 - OGLE BRYANT or Wyatt Ogle of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 6th state or 1st state


· 5 – S4 - Zachary Ruiz (Page) 37-12, (10th) 3rd at sectionals

· 6 – S1 - Angel Zavalza of Camp verde 4th at Middle school state

D4-120

· 1- S3 - Dominic Mastroianni of Fountain Hills (11th) 2nd state

· 2 – S4 - Boaz Bastrus of St. Johns (10th) 3rd state

· 3 – S2 - Calvin Dunning of Morenci (11th) 4th state

· 3 – S1 - Keene Todacheene of Camp Verde (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Gabe Fuentes of Willcox (12th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 - Emilio Ysaguirre of (Santa Cruz) 27-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school



D4-126

· 1 – S4 - Tanner Crosby of St. Johns (11th) 4th state

· 2 – S2 - Seth Durbin of Globe (10th) 6th state

· 3 –S4 - Kaleb June (Page) 31-11 (11th) 2nd at sectionals

· 4 – S3 - Joaquin Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley 6th state




D4-132

· 1- S1 - Korben Uhler of Camp Verde (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S3 - Dylan Workman of Round Valley (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Seth Reidhead of Mogollon (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S2 - Ruben (Tito) Casillas of Morenci (12th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Kelby Flowers of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 – Steve Calvin of Santa Cruz (9th) 2nd at Tempe State



D4-138

· 1 – S1 - Anthony Tinghitella of Camp Verde (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S4 - Kaiden Smith of St. Johns (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Timmy Porter of Mogollon (11th) 4th state

. 4 – S4 – Joseph Stansfield (Page) 19-11 (12th) 4th at sectionals


D4-145

· 1 – S4 - Cameron Baldwin of Joseph City (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Tate Grote of Wickenburg (12th) 3rd state

· 3 – S3 - Marc Irigoyen of Round Valley (11th) 6th state

. 4 – S1 – Enrique Macias of Yuma Catholic 52-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school

. 5 – S2 – Cody Torres (Morenci) 31-2, (9th) 3rd at state middle school

D4-152

· 1 – S1 - Nicholas Steele of San Pasqual (10th) 1st state

· 1 – S4 – Hayden Gracia of Page (12th) (transfer from D3) 1st state

· 3 – S1 - Jake Borneman of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - OGLE HUNTER of Santa Cruz Valley (10th) 2nd state

· 5 – S2 - DAVID ENS of Benson (12th) 3rd state

· 6 – S2 - Mark Roybal of Morenci (12th) 4th state


D4-160

· 1 – S1 - Brandon Garcia of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 1st state

· 1 – S3 - Andres Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 1st state

· 3 – S2 - KYLER CURTIS of Benson (12th) 5th state


D4-170

· 1 – S3 – Diego Chavez of Santa Cruz Valley 1st state (9th) grade. This guy is the real deal

· 2 – S4 - Michael Densmore of Winslow (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Colter Hogle of Round Valley (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S1 - Gavin Davis of Arizona Lutheran (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Brennon Hughes of Pima (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S4 - Chase Jarvis of St. Johns (12th) 6th state


D4-182

· 1 – S1 - Conrad Brady of Camp Verde (10th) 2nd state

· 2 – S3 - Leyton Kauffman of Fountain Hills (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S3 - Jad Mazboudi of Az College Prep (11th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 - Don Tisdale of Odyssey Institute (12th) 6th state

· 5 – S4 - Kimball Begay (Page) 36-13 (11th) 3rd at sectionals


D4-195

· 1 – S2 - Clayson Goodwin of Benson (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S2 - Caiden Hall of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 3 – S1 – Anthony Taylor of Parker (9th) 2nd Tempe state middle school


D4-220

· 1 – S4 - Calvert Tsosie of Pinon (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Derek Henderson of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Gauge Bryce of Thatcher (12th) 5th state


D4-285

· 1 – S1 - John Pina of Odyssey Institute (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Dominick Sahhar of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Quinten Mack of Thatcher (12th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 – Alan Abril of Camp Verde (9th) 3rd state middle school

· 5 – S3 – Taz Gil of Santa Cruz (12th) 5th state middle school
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I have had parents and wrestlers contact me and ask why they or their child was not considered for rankings. I explained to them that I consider those who placed last year or qualified to go to state. From there it is up to the wrestlers coaches to submit a request for consideration with explanation of justification. Everyone who has contacted me has received approval thus far. So parents please contact your coaches and ask them why your son has not been considered. This is just a tool for those who have worked hard throughout the years in this sport, to receive recognition of their hard work and efforts. It is not my job to contact your coaches.

Unbelievable! Can't please everybody. I volunteer my services to do this for our sport.
 
Last edited:

chingon76

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Can't please everybody. I volunteer my services to do this for our sport.
I went ahead and posted some names (they remain unranked in d3) as "people to watch for". While many kids work hard over the season... only a few actually make it to the state tournament. I went ahead and listed all the non-graduating wrestlers that made it to state for d3 weight classes. Sadly, there are some that won't even wrestle this year. Still others will change weight drastically. What I love about wrestling: what you put in... you get back. Don't like your ranking? Work harder and earn it.
 

Coach P

Well-Known Member
Parents....freaking chill out. This is preseason and really just for fun for fans/coaches. Putting these together not only takes time, but in all honesty, takes someone who is into the sport of wrestling. Like what Mr. Chingon (I like saying that!)....your kid not ranked...make him/her work harder...take them to all off season tournaments to make a case for ranking. Not to discredit AZ state qualifiers, but some D3/D4 kids had losing records and made it to state.
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Thank you for the feedback and updates. I have incorporated them as requested. Keep them coming.


D4-106


· 1- S3 – Porter of Mogollon

· 2 – S2 - Mason Palmer of Pima 34-5, (9th) 4th at state middle school

· 3 - S3 – Davian Guanajuato of Santa Cruz

· 4 -

· 5 -

· 6 -


D4 - 113

· 1- S2 - Gilbert Rodriguez of San Manuel (10th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Austin Doom of Wickenburg (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S2 - Marcus Morales of Morenci (10th) 5th state

· 4 – S3 - OGLE BRYANT or Wyatt Ogle of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 6th state or 1st state


· 5 – S4 - Zachary Ruiz (Page) 37-12, (10th) 3rd at sectionals

· 6 – S1 - Angel Zavalza of Camp verde 4th at Middle school state

D4-120

· 1- S3 - Dominic Mastroianni of Fountain Hills (11th) 2nd state

· 2 – S4 - Boaz Bastrus of St. Johns (10th) 3rd state

· 3 – S2 - Calvin Dunning of Morenci (11th) 4th state

· 3 – S1 - Keene Todacheene of Camp Verde (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Gabe Fuentes of Willcox (12th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 - Emilio Ysaguirre of (Santa Cruz) 27-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school



D4-126

· 1 – S4 - Tanner Crosby of St. Johns (11th) 4th state

· 2 – S2 - Seth Durbin of Globe (10th) 6th state

· 3 –S4 - Kaleb June (Page) 31-11 (11th) 2nd at sectionals

· 4 – S3 - Joaquin Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley 6th state




D4-132

· 1- S1 - Korben Uhler of Camp Verde (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S3 - Dylan Workman of Round Valley (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Seth Reidhead of Mogollon (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S2 - Ruben (Tito) Casillas of Morenci (12th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Kelby Flowers of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S3 – Steve Calvin of Santa Cruz (9th) 2nd at Tempe State



D4-138

· 1 – S1 - Anthony Tinghitella of Camp Verde (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S4 - Kaiden Smith of St. Johns (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Timmy Porter of Mogollon (11th) 4th state

. 4 – S4 – Joseph Stansfield (Page) 19-11 (12th) 4th at sectionals


D4-145

· 1 – S4 - Cameron Baldwin of Joseph City (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Tate Grote of Wickenburg (12th) 3rd state

· 3 – S3 - Marc Irigoyen of Round Valley (11th) 6th state

. 4 – S1 – Enrique Macias of Yuma Catholic 52-0, (9th) 1st at state middle school

. 5 – S2 – Cody Torres (Morenci) 31-2, (9th) 3rd at state middle school

D4-152

· 1 – S1 - Nicholas Steele of San Pasqual (10th) 1st state

· 1 – S4 – Hayden Gracia of Page (12th) (transfer from D3) 1st state

· 3 – S1 - Jake Borneman of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - OGLE HUNTER of Santa Cruz Valley (10th) 2nd state

· 5 – S2 - DAVID ENS of Benson (12th) 3rd state

· 6 – S2 - Mark Roybal of Morenci (12th) 4th state


D4-160

· 1 – S1 - Brandon Garcia of Arizona Lutheran (12th) 1st state

· 1 – S3 - Andres Jimenez of Santa Cruz Valley (12th) 1st state

· 3 – S2 - KYLER CURTIS of Benson (12th) 5th state


D4-170

· 1 – S3 – Diego Chavez of Santa Cruz Valley 1st state (9th) grade. This guy is the real deal

· 2 – S4 - Michael Densmore of Winslow (12th) 2nd state

· 3 – S3 - Colter Hogle of Round Valley (12th) 3rd state

· 4 – S1 - Gavin Davis of Arizona Lutheran (11th) 4th state

· 5 – S2 - Brennon Hughes of Pima (11th) 5th state

· 6 – S4 - Chase Jarvis of St. Johns (12th) 6th state


D4-182

· 1 – S1 - Conrad Brady of Camp Verde (10th) 2nd state

· 2 – S3 - Leyton Kauffman of Fountain Hills (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S3 - Jad Mazboudi of Az College Prep (11th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 - Don Tisdale of Odyssey Institute (12th) 6th state

· 5 – S4 - Kimball Begay (Page) 36-13 (11th) 3rd at sectionals


D4-195

· 1 – S2 - Clayson Goodwin of Benson (11th) 1st state

· 2 – S2 - Caiden Hall of Willcox (11th) 5th state

· 3 – S1 – Anthony Taylor of Parker (9th) 2nd Tempe state middle school


D4-220

· 1 – S4 - Calvert Tsosie of Pinon (12th) 2nd state

· 2 – S1 - Derek Henderson of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Gauge Bryce of Thatcher (12th) 5th state

· 4 – S4 – Terran Blackgoat of Page (12th) Sectional qualifier


D4-285

· 1 – S1 - John Pina of Odyssey Institute (12th) 1st state

· 2 – S1 - Dominick Sahhar of Northwest Christian (12th) 4th state

· 3 – S2 - Quinten Mack of Thatcher (12th) 5th state

· 4 – S1 – Alan Abril of Camp Verde (9th) 3rd state middle school

· 5 – S3 – Taz Gil of Santa Cruz (12th) 5th state middle school
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
As far as Sectionals goes, the following weight classes are up for grabs.

Section 1 – 106, 126,

Section 2 – 138, 182,

Section 3 – 195, 220,

Section 4 – 106, 132, 160, 195, 285
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Hope this helps;

12 Dec 3:00 pm Combs, Glendale, Mesquite & 1 more American Leadership Academy – Ironwood
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm American Leadership Academy - QC, Marcos de Niza, Seton Catholic Prep & 1 more Apache Junction High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Bradshaw Mountain, Mingus Union, Show Low & 1 more Blue Ridge High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Payson, Poston Butte & Cortez Cortez High School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:00 pm Cactus, Deer Valley, Washington & 1 more Estrella Foothills High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Lee Williams, Snowflake & Flagstaff Flagstaff High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Coronado, Desert Edge, Shadow Mountain & 1 more Gila Ridge High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Chino Valley, Mohave & Kingman Kingman High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Florence, Greenway, Tempe & 1 more Moon Valley High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Arcadia, Buckeye Union, Dysart & 1 more Peoria High School
Section
12 Dec 3:00 pm Coconino, Thunderbird & Prescott Prescott High School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:00 pm Lake Havasu, Yuma & Youngker Youngker High School
Section
12 Dec 3:30 pm Globe & Casa Grande Casa Grande Union High School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:30 pm Benson, Willcox & Douglas Douglas High School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:30 pm Catalina, Catalina Foothills & Palo Verde Magnet Palo Verde High Magnet School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:30 pm Mountain View Marana, Nogales & Pueblo Magnet Pueblo Magnet High School
Freedom
12 Dec 3:30 pm Canyon Del Oro, Sahuaro, Salpointe Catholic & 1 more Sabino High School
Section
12 Dec 3:30 pm Sunnyside, Walden Grove & Safford Safford High School
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Freakshow who is going? Heard it's cheaper to rent a house for the weekend.
6U 10/21/2011 - 10/21/2015 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 4.5 Minute(s)
8U 10/20/2009 - 10/21/2011 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 4.8 Minute(s)
Girl`s Elementary ??? - ??? Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 4.8 Minute(s)
10U 10/20/2007 - 10/21/2009 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.28 Minute(s)
Girl`s Middle School ??? - ??? Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.28 Minute(s)
12U 10/20/2005 - 10/21/2007 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.28 Minute(s)
15U 10/20/2002 - 10/21/2005 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.5 Minute(s)
18U 10/20/1999 - 10/21/2004 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.85 Minute(s)
18U ELITE 10/20/1999 - 10/21/2004 Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.85 Minute(s)
Girl`s High School ??? - ??? Folkstyle $55.0 $0.0 5.5 Minute(s)
 

MingusCoach

Well-Known Member
Staff member
'A Six Minute Man' - A Wrestling Story of Struggle, Sacrifice and Success


We often tell the stories of wrestlers on this website - their ups and downs and everything in between as they strive for success. But what about those who love them? What about the people who deeply feel those highs and lows every step of the way?

Kirsten Calkins hasn't stepped on the mat to compete, but she has experienced wrestling at many levels over the years. She takes us on a journey from her childhood where she began hating the sport through watching her son battle for a championship at the New York State tournament a few weeks ago. [This story was originally posted in April 2014 on newyorkwrestlingnews.com]

It's an amazing story that wrestling families everywhere will relate to and recognize.

I was born with a basketball in my hands and it didn’t matter that I was a girl. My father was a collegiate point guard and a high school basketball coach. I grew up in a gym shooting hoops. When someone mentioned wrestling, I would just shake my head. It was the “other” winter sport, for the less sensible. I hated it.

Those grapplers were the enemy. During my dad’s practices, they would stampede up and down the stairs making the basketball plays inaudible. Their sticky bodies would drop sweat and blood on the ground. “Mean” was written all over their faces. In high school English class, I sat next to a wrestler who would spit into a cup every 30 seconds. I hated them.

Then in college, something went terribly wrong. I fell in love with the “enemy.” Surely this was a cruel joke? Suddenly, I was asked to appreciate the only sport that I despised. To keep the peace, I pretended. I watched my fiancé suffer from an injury that ended his Division I career. They said he would never wrestle again. He did, but was sent to Division III. Year after year, he would magically turn a 220-pound physique, into a 190-pound body. From November to March, I would eat and he would stare. His senior year, he missed becoming an All-American by one stinking match. He left college disappointed. I hated wrestling.

Five years later, something went terribly, terribly wrong...again. I gave birth to a BOY. My father immediately arrived with a basketball, and my husband promptly threw it into the yard for the dogs to destroy. There would be no talk of basketball in our house. Over and over I heard, “There is only one true sport.” I would roll my eyes. I hated wrestling.

Much to my chagrin, my son began to wrestle, barely out of Pull-Ups. He showed promise...until his first match. Full of false confidence, he went out on the mat and was pinned in 15 seconds. He stood up in defeat, trying to keep a stiff upper lip as sadness poured down his face. I hated wrestling.

After a few years, the unhappy faces showed up less often and smiles started to emerge. Yet, I still watched in total agony. The expectations became greater and the losses were felt deeper, especially when you were supposed to win. Even with a trophy in hand, mistakes were still noted. No one was ever satisfied. I hated wrestling.

Then there was “The Injury Year” – unrecognizable smashed finger, stitched lip #1, stitched lip #2, black eyes, internal bruising, blown out knee #1, blown out knee #2 and a pulled bicep, during a state semi-final match, that helped send my son to the consolations. Afterwards, his disappointed face looked into mine, “Mom, why does this keep happening to me?” I didn’t have an answer. I hated wrestling.


Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did. My son decided that he had a dream to chase - a state title. I watched my child give up outings with his teenage friends, a starting spot on the soccer team and all his free weekends. He would drive 2 hours, each way, to find a wrestler that could beat him up. He would go from wrestling practice, directly to the weight room. And most horrifying of all, he gave up video games. His friends didn’t understand him anymore. He was alone. I hated wrestling.

At my son’s final high school match, I watched helplessly as he stepped up to the center stage, teetering on the edge of that state championship mat. There was nothing I could do, other than sit in agony one last time. So few know what it means to give up a “normal” life for a 6-minute match. I grimaced, surrounded by fans of wrestling and TV cameras analyzing every move. To them, my son’s dreams were just part of a show. I stared loathingly at them all. I hated wrestling.

Then something miraculous occurred, a victory. Thinking back on all the times that I had visualized this spectacular moment, I never imagined that my son would just stand there, barely a smile crossing his face. At the final whistle, I had expected leaps of joy and a million fist pumps. But he just stood calmly, seemingly content...like a pioneer at the end of a very long journey. He was tired, yet completely satisfied that he had made it. His work was done, the pressure relieved. As the referee lifted an exhausted arm into the air, my son raised one quiet index finger into the sky.

With his final gesture, all of his childhood tears became mine. I stood hidden amongst the crowd and I cried. Somehow, during his last high school match, the boy had turned into a six-minute man.

When he walked off that mat, he knew more about life’s struggles, sacrifices and commitments than most 40-year-olds. Wrestling had transformed him into something greater.

To all wrestlers, I am sorry. I was wrong for so long. I love wrestling.
 
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