As I begin the afternoon wind down with work with my Starbucks in hand - I want to share a little about last night.
See Kyle is a starter this year on his middle school wrestling team. With 63 or so students sweating and trying to be the one to start in each weight class - there is a lot of work riding into these matches. Coach is a great guy, yells a lot but has a heart for his young men. I see it. I know it because I feel it and it showed last night.
Kyle has had 3 matches so far this season. First 2 were wins by pin and we are very excited and so proud of him as well as the other guys putting it all out there on the mat. The crowds have been good with great support even though both the girls and boys basketball teams play on the same nights and lots of fans go to those games and the cheerleader team cheers for both games. So the fans that come to the wrestling matches are true wrestling fans and for the most part - they know the intensity that these matches have. It is INTENSE!!!
Last week Morgan and Taylor came to one of the matches and Taylor watched most of the matches with her hands over her face and her eyes watching through her fingers. Thats the intesity level !
Last night the team just coming off a good win against another local school was wrestling against a team that is known to be tough. They are scrappy and what I mean by that - they take it seriously and the coach is intense but they are not always the top team, in other sports YES! So you know what I am saying ....
After a few prelims and the other weight classes finished up - Kyle took some pep talk from coach and headed to the mat. Right off the bat his apponent showing signs that he is good but Kyle with a heart and determination that Carol and I are just now beginning to witness! After a couple moves back and forth nearing the end of the 1st period, Kyle has him almost pinned and the crowd is waiting the whistle - the buzzer sounds and the period ends. ALMOST! Coaches gather at the table over some points given - Kyle ahead. 2nd period begins - point going back and forth both giving it all they have, mom and dad screaming, fans screaming, coaches screaming - the place is loud. 2nd period ends with Kyle in the lead. 3rd period start and in the first 20 seconds or so, Kyle gains attention to the ref with a big scream - you know that scream as a parent. Thinking from the start a broke arm or something worse. The coaches run out on the mat and the nurse makes her way to the center. Motions for us to come out as Carol is already saying OH MY GOD - OH NO! - We get to the center mat and Kyle is on the ground with the nurse holding his arm up and his pinky is completely sideways. Dislocated.
Nurse explains it to us what has happened. Kyle white as anything and breathing heavy is looking at me. Nurse asked if we wanted her to pop it back in place. I said "yes" She told Kyle to take a breath and"pop" right back into place. She then said to Kyle - "Do you want to continue" - He looked at her and said "Im not quitting". The nurse then looked at me and I smiled and said - "Tape it up" - Lets get em K!!!
Gosh what a proud moment that was. As Kyle got up with his fingers taped and we made our way back to the bleachers, his team shouted and cheered. The place again got loud as we all were like - HOLY CRAP he didnt quit!
The match continued but Kyle shortly got pinned on a quick call from the ref with about 30 seconds left. What looked like a loss, was actually a WIN in so many ways. Its not that Kyle didnt get his hand raised at the end of the match - he got hands raised by his team, by his coaches, by his friends watching - by his parents but also by him.
He showed himself how tough he was and how quitting was not an option. Leadership example right there and it took a little digging deep to do it.
All the calls last night, facebook posts and text messages from his friends and as the news traveled - parents calling in to check on him last night. Coach put on his facebook wall last night that it was the most heroic moment he has ever seen in all the years he has been coaching.
What a great moment and not even one as a parent telling his child to keep going, pushing them or making them continue - he did that on his own. He got to experience something inside of himself that he never had the chance to let out or even to show others.
He will be ready for next week - showing heart big time.
Proud of you Kyle! - A few matches later his teamate got hurt with a dislocated knee. It was ugly. Clay went down sideways and his knee just crumbled. Screams of pain led to the paremedics coming, ambulance to the hospital. Crying parents and a very upset coach. Clay is doing fine today and awesome how people have reached out to him telling him they are praying for him, cheering him on and telling him to hurry up and get better. There is a team bond and spirit there.
Hickory Ridge Middle won the match not only by point but also by character. It showed last night!
Have a great weekend everyone !
Lonnie~
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