A Model to Live Life by

by Dan Harris, Clayton

Considering the fact that wrestling is probably the most basic human contest and the truest test of individual strength and skill, the lack of animosity usually seen between wrestlers--especially high school-aged--is surprising.

My son has wrestled in the heavyweight division and led his team in pins for the past three years, so maybe I was feeling a bit cocky last year when I watched him square up against an opponent who was considerably smaller, but obviously wrestling up. What a ridiculous mismatch, I thought, my son's gonna destroy this kid! But I was astonished beyond words as I watched his opponent systematically dismantle my son, countering his every move with effortless, clockwork precision and pinning him in the first period.

"What happened?!" I asked when he walked off the mat. "Did you make a mistake? Did you let your guard down?"

"No," he said matter-of-factly, "he's just an awesome wrestler."

Over the summer, my son and this young man happened to join the same off-season club. They practiced together, learned from each other and became friends, and in June, they were slated to wrestle against one another in a Greco-Roman tournament.

My son dominated for the first two periods, manhandling the other boy with seeming impunity and scoring points as quickly as the referee could signal them, but in the third period, his opponent rebounded and won with a pin. I walked outside after the match and saw the other boy sitting in the shade and trying to catch his breath.

"Nice match," I said, "I thought he had you!"

"So did I," he replied, "I just got lucky. Your son is so strong! If I had let him get his arms around me one more time, I would have been finished!"

Everyone feels a flush of pride when their son (or daughter) wins a match or receives some complementary words from a coach, but that pride is never so strong as when the complement comes from another wrestler. I walked away from that brief conversation feeling deeply proud of both of these young men. That sort of mutual respect, I think, is a model to live life by.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? We would like to hear of your most memorable experiences with the sport of wrestling. We would like to hear from everyone - coaches, wrestlers, parents, fans, etc. Is there a particular wrestler that has stood apart in your mind from the others? What was the most exciting match (dual meet or individual) that you've seen or been a part of? Do you have a funny story you'd like to share? There is no length restriction - submissions can be 3 sentences, 3 paragraphs, however long you need to tell your story. Responses will be featured on NC Mat throughout the season. Email your story to info@ncmat.com

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