There is a 6-month period, roughly between mid-April and mid-October, when nothing much is happening. At least that’s the way it seems to a fan of high school wrestling. 

We have, of course had action. The Goodwill Games, National Junior Olympics, World Team trials, Asics Tiger Junior National Championships and other events have kept wrestling interest alive during the summer. 

But as I write this (early September), the first coloring of the leaves signals once again the impending return of special people we’ve missed: the local amateur wrestler. 

Special? Well, let’s look at the evidence. 

Wrestling is demanding. You need strength, technique, quickness, condition, motivation, resolve, and coachability. And you can’t carry any extra pounds, which means you won’t be able to enjoy the two most important meals of the year: Thanksgiving dinner (because that’s when the season starts) and Christmas dinner (because that’s tournament time). 

Wrestling is open to all. You can’t be a jockey if you weigh 200 pounds. You can’t be a defensive tackle if you weight 100. You can’t be a strong forward if you’re skinny and five feet six. You can’t ski if you live on the plains. You can’t be a golfer if you can’t afford the equipment or the green fees. But all you need to wrestle is that voice inside you. (note: you could quarrel with that last point if you live in a school district which has imposed “pay to participate” restriction due to financial problems.) 

Wrestling is the oldest sport. It has to be far older than the 5,000 years or so cited by some historians. Surely it’s as old as man himself. Guys must have been grappling with each other since they competed for the first carcass. Or cave. Or cavewoman. 

Wrestling is lonely. You step on the mat and you’re alone. You can’t run or hide. . . Or blame a teammate for your mistakes. . . Or throw a spitball (or a tantrum). . . Or take a cheap shot. . . Or call a timeout to plan your next move. What you can do is be your own man, with the emphasis on man. 

So take a bow, wrestler. In your sport there are no real losers. The worst you can do is finish second. Remember the avis rent-a-car slogan, “we try harder. . . We’re only number 2.” That was one of the most successful marketing ideas in history because it eloquently expressed the prime importance of effort.

This article also lacks an author.  If anyone knows the origin of this essay please email me and I'll see that credit is given. 

Thanks,

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