Wrestling Thoughts

Wrestling around here is very different than up north. I was originally worried about my 'pedigree' when I contacted Coach Wood. Now, I feel like I'm hardcore compared to the local skill level (and I am not hard core).  

Then practices are shorter. Fewer of the kids have transportation, so it has to end before the late bus runs. Fewer of the kids have or can afford shoes, too. Coach pays out of his pocket for uniforms, shoes, you name it. Then the kids are pulled in more directions, as well. There are mandatory rehearsals, nationwide tests, tutors, and jobs. It's after-school activity ADD. A couple kids are even participating in multiple sports in the same season. That's unheard of in my last county. 

And the practices are less intense. We had a kid quit because he thought his partner was trying too hard (they both looked lazy to me). Wrestling is not a sport people can enter and expect instant success. There aren't enough wrestlers for a full roster or wrestle-offs, so even a scrub who quits leaves a gap.

At least the kids we have are a good bunch. I trust them all. Many of them are already athletes which helps them to do better than their experience would normally allow. Which is actually another problem: One of our best kids transferred to a private school for baseball, and I heard another is being recruited by a different private school for football and now wrestling. Coach Wood said that's not uncommon. 

My middle school team faces some of the same challenges. I only have six kids. On average, I have 2 to 4 show up. Some days, it's been me and a single kid. They have after-school activity ADD just like the high-schoolers. I had to cancel the first meet, because of mandatory concert rehearsals. I wouldn't have had wrestlers. We need more kids. I don't know where we'll find them, though. I'm never at the middle school, so I can't recruit. I hope if I keep the program up, it will gain recognition. If I build a nucleus of kids with some experience it will help the high school down the line.

Of course, this is Coach Wood's last year. He's going through chemo. He hides it well, but I know it drains him. Coach Wood has coached for three decades, and coached the parents of many of the kids who do show up. There are kids who showed up because Coach called their parents. Whoever replaces him will have big shoes to fill. He's worried it wont' be anyone. Wrestling doesn't have the same footprint as the other sports. Coach Wood's hinted to me that I should apply. I'm not ready for that level of involvement, though. I wouldn't be able to run both programs simultaneously and take care of my family.

Lots to think about.