There is a value for some, Judy. In this case, his successes in wrestling might open doors to the college scene. It did for my boys. And it can be a very good tool for teaching the values of competition, dealing with failure and success -- that sort of thing.
One year, coaching an elementary wreatling team, I had a young wrestler named Michael Kirby. Mike lost every single match that year -- as he continued to improve, visually, in each loosing effort. He trusted my judgment when I told him to continue doing what he was doing ................ he WAS getting better and better. When we got to the city championships, Fresno City and a 25 team tournament, Milke was placed in an "outbracket." The other wrestlers could loose a match and still wrestle -- Mike HAD to win the outbracket match or he was gone. In addition, the number one and number three kids in the city were in his side of the brackets -- each were place winners in the State tourny the year before. At the end of the day, Mike Kirby (o-16 cominginto the city championships) was the new Fresno City Champion ---------- !!!!!!!!!!!!! His parents came to me in tears, thanking me for my continued encouragement with their boy. They didn't get it. Mike Kirby, as a 5th boy, believed me when I told him that winners don't always win. He will never forget that lesson. Wrestling (or any sport) is a great tool for the Christian minister.
JD
In a message dated 2/26/2005 8:03:28 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Andy has only lost six matches in the last three years (since he's been in middle school). Three of them have been to the same kid, a very solid wrestler from Elizabeth, a big school close to Denver. He wrestled him last Tuesday and got beat pretty soundly, placing second in that tournament. The outcome was the same today, a second place finish, but Andy wrestled a much better match. In a tournament represented by twenty two schools, it came down once again to Taylor and McVicker. The good news is they will never have to meet up in regionals or at state, since we are a 2A school (about 200 kids in the entire district) and Elizabeth is a 4A school this year and is going to 5A next year, the highest classification in the State. I don't know if Andy could ever beat him -- right now it doesn't look likely -- but I do know this: he is making Andy a better wrestler. Andy's record this year, after today, is 17 wins and 2 losses.
Other than we hate to lose, it was a really good day. Our oldest son, Tyler, a junior in college, came to the tournament and worked with Andy all day long, showing him things to improve upon, and teaching him some stuff he had never learned before. Tyler is enough older than Andy that Andy really looks up to him and tries very hard to please him.
Well, enough of that.
Three more tournaments next week. Go Andy!
Bill
