This weekend saw me at a wrestling tournament for my son. I haven't seen high school wrestling, or as this was, middle school wrestling, since I participated myself. But that was so many years ago, they did the timing with sundials. The energy permeating the gym was amazing, as was the skill of some of the wrestlers. Some were quite good - to the point of me thinking, "these are seventh graders?!" Spencer did well enough to qualify for the Northern Nevada Regional Finals next week, and he is very excited for the next tournament on the 31st . (OK, I'm excited too.)
Below is the video of the match that qualified him. It was cut off before the end due to the score differential. After the match, Spencer was gracious in victory, sincerely shaking hands with his opponent, the ref and the opposing coach. I like that he is being taught to shake the hands of all involved. Sports may end for him at some point in the future, but gracious actions in victory are a life skill.
Below is the video of the match that qualified him. It was cut off before the end due to the score differential. After the match, Spencer was gracious in victory, sincerely shaking hands with his opponent, the ref and the opposing coach. I like that he is being taught to shake the hands of all involved. Sports may end for him at some point in the future, but gracious actions in victory are a life skill.
I also wanted to see one other wrestler in particular. This one young man had an undefeated season rolling along. He was confident, as he had previously met and defeated all potential opponents. I was hoping to catch one or two of his matches - as long as it didn't interfere with seeing Spencer. As it turned out, I saw two of his matches; so much for the undefeated season. He was pinned in both.
I was curious to see how he would react. Predictably, he was crushed after the first loss. I drifted over to eavesdrop as he was talking to his coach, and later his mom. No blaming, no deflection. He admitted he flat out lost. He was disappointed, sure, but he owned the loss in the same way as you should own the win. All on him. He was smiling and congratulating his ecstatic opponent after the second. That, dear readers, is losing with dignity.
From my perspective, the first match could have gone either way. Both wrestlers were good, and the match exciting. The second? Well, I think he wanted to get it over with, and went with a high-risk/high reward move. Unfortunately, he missed the high reward and was left with the high risk. It happens.
On another note, after the tournament, I went for my longest reasonably-pain-free run in weeks. Of course, it was barely 5K. Still, a pain free 5K is more than I had a month ago. Maybe the hip and glute strengthening program I am doing is working. That and/or the planking. I am up to 2:30 per plank on elbows, then shortly thereafter, on hands. What I like about the regimen is that I can read while doing it. I was wrapping up Brent Weeks' The Black Prism. Great stuff to take your mind off the pain and trembling of your muscles.
I was curious to see how he would react. Predictably, he was crushed after the first loss. I drifted over to eavesdrop as he was talking to his coach, and later his mom. No blaming, no deflection. He admitted he flat out lost. He was disappointed, sure, but he owned the loss in the same way as you should own the win. All on him. He was smiling and congratulating his ecstatic opponent after the second. That, dear readers, is losing with dignity.
From my perspective, the first match could have gone either way. Both wrestlers were good, and the match exciting. The second? Well, I think he wanted to get it over with, and went with a high-risk/high reward move. Unfortunately, he missed the high reward and was left with the high risk. It happens.
On another note, after the tournament, I went for my longest reasonably-pain-free run in weeks. Of course, it was barely 5K. Still, a pain free 5K is more than I had a month ago. Maybe the hip and glute strengthening program I am doing is working. That and/or the planking. I am up to 2:30 per plank on elbows, then shortly thereafter, on hands. What I like about the regimen is that I can read while doing it. I was wrapping up Brent Weeks' The Black Prism. Great stuff to take your mind off the pain and trembling of your muscles.
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