It was a difficult decision to make to get him to participate since it is totally optional at the Junior High Level. We went back and forth about participating. Ultimately, a phone call from Tucker's coach convinced me to make him sign up and go. I admit that after I made the decision, Tucker was not at all happy with me! As a matter of fact, he was down right ticked off!!! Tucker's father was not happy with me either! He was afraid that this competition would ruin his attitude and possibly ruin Tucker's wrestling in the future. The past few weeks have not been pretty around here. The practices have been tough and Tucker has gotten to wrestle some boys from other schools that are definitely top notch wrestlers. There was more than one occasion when I almost just told him to quit. But we didn't and today rolled around quickly, much to Tucker's dismay.
It was a little nerve wracking since school has been cancelled all week and there has only been one practice. I had to wonder if he was going to be out of shape or not. I made him go to the gym and run on the thread mill on day...I'm such a good mom!
Weigh in started at 7 a.m. and we have been watching Tuck's weigh all week. He needed to be at 90 lbs....no more on Sunday. He was doing great, but did not like not being able to drink soda, eat potatoes, snacks etc. Then on Friday, I got an email informing everyone got a two pound weight allowance...YIPPEEE! Tuck weighed in at 90.5 lbs this morning....well within the limits. This would be a different weight class for him than what he wrestled all year (he dropped down a weight class for this tournament). We did not have any idea what to expect since he hadn't wrestled any of these kids in the regular season and factor in all the kids that come from other areas to wrestle. It was a real crap-shoot for us.
Another big deal for Tucker today....My dad, stepmother and brother all made the trip to watch him wrestle for the first time this year. Tucker was beyond nervous because he didn't think he would do well and they were all going to be there to watch him. ICK!!!!
The meet started at 10 a.m. and he did not wrestle until 11:30 a.m. His first match was a bummer...he lost to a tough competitor. Disappointment was high for everyone, but losing happens to everyone!! Losing dropped him to the consolation bracket and the best you can do here is 3rd place, first through fourth place qualify for the state tournament. Fifth place is the alternate.
His second match, he pinned the other kid in 35 seconds; third match, he won 4-0, fourth match he won 6-2, he lost the fifth match 2-0. The kid he wrestled was so wore out after the match he could hardly stand to shake Tucker's hand. This loss was disappointing because we really felt he could have won...the kids were evenly match and Tucker just didn't focus.
Losing this match meant that the best he could do would be fifth place or the first alternate position for state. Well, he won the last match 7-2 and came in 5th place out of 19 wrestlers. WHOO -HOOO! It's a red letter day at our house! I'm so proud of him that I could explode. Enjoy the pictures of my Champion....
His face is so red from rubbing it on the vinyl mat, it's called "Mat Burn"....real nice, huh???
O.K. Mom, that's enough!What an experience for a young man that just started wrestling last year and didn't even want to go to the tournament. He ends up placing and becoming an alternate for state! I think he's having some ice cream right now...to celebrate! (He had a slab of ribs and mashed potatoes for dinner :-0 !
Blessings,
Kim
1 comment:
WAY TO GO Tucker! That is great and something to be proud of.
Lisa
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