"Your Story" Archive

"Congratulations from Baghdad"

• From: CSSGDM Guell LCpl Terrell G  GuellTG@CSSGDM.1MARDIVDM.USMC.MIL  
  To: wiwrestling.com
  Subject: Congratulations from Baghdad
  Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2003 04:37:26 -0600 
  
  I've been trying to find a way to get a way to congratulate Justin Schmidt and the rest of the Campbellsport wrestling team but haven't been able to because I am currently in Baghdad Iraq with the rest of my unit. I am a Cougar wrestling alumni from the class of 2001 that is now part of CSSG  11 as a Marine data tech. I tried to get Justin's address before I left but I couldn't and have not had an opportunity to congratulate him on his 2nd state championship. Also the team made it to the state tournament this year which is also deserving of recognition. Keep up the hard training as I will for the open tournaments in California when I get back. I got a training partner that I met out here and we are going to go around the State of California on weekends wrestling in open tournaments. We both miss the sport extremely so as soon as we get back the training begins.
  LCpl Terrell Guell USMC

• What I Have Learned from "The Greatest Sport"
  
  I was born in October, just in time for the beginning of the wrestling season. Since I was born, I was always around wrestling for my dad was and still is a coach. As I grew up, I idolized wrestlers and everyone in the wrestling community. Not always just the best wrestlers, the ones standing atop the podium at the end of the year, but also some who failed to reach that top step. Don't get me wrong; I did also venerate the champions, probably more so when I was younger and hadn't learned what the sport was all about.
  
  Being around the state tournament, I have many vivid memories, but one that struck me the most and has remained with me was when a wrestler from my conference who was undefeated lost in the state finals. Within ten minutes of getting his silver medal, he was out in the hallways playing football with his friends, laughing, and having a good time, while that silver medal dangled from his neck. He didn't feel at all that he had failed. Winning a state championship did not determine success in his mind, rather accomplishing what he could satisfied him. From the state tournament, I learned that losing is not failure and success doesn't necessarily pertain to winning.
  
  Being around varsity wrestlers, I have seen first hand the hard work that it took to win. I didn't always learn this from the best wrestlers either. I learned this from my brother. In middle school, he had a record of 4-11. He worked hard, wrestling and lifting throughout the spring and summer, and eventually made it to state and placed fourth as a sophomore. He was injured at state and tried to wrestle again the next two years, but it just did not work out. Before he had to call an end to his career, I learned what it took to make oneself tough. I admired my brother for all the work he put in, and I vowed to work as hard and even harder than he did. From wrestlers, I learned about work ethic.
  
  Being around beginning wrestlers, I have learned about The Little Train That Could. I have seen beginning wrestlers stick at it even after losing 90% of their matches. I have seen how big the hearts of true champions are. I remember watching one wrestler who won only a couple matches out of a hundred keep trying and refusing to give up. After a couple years of hard work, he qualified for state as a junior and had a remarkable record. I respect him for his hard work and refusal to give in. From beginning wrestlers, I have learned to persevere through any challenge and obstacle that arises.
  
  Being around coaches, I have learned about the love for the sport and life itself. Our past coach is the epitome of a perfect person: Passionate, caring, God loving, and committed. While coaching, he'd do anything for his wrestlers, and now it's evident to me that this commitment is carried over in his life also. He has served missionary duties in his retirement and still attends many wrestling events. Just like he was committed to his wrestlers, he is committed to fellow beings and is still committed to the sport. From coaches, I've learned that passion and commitment are key aspects of life.
  
  Being from a wrestling family, I have learned much about how wrestling pertains to life. From my dad, I've learned to be humble. Win or lose, the reaction should be the same. One should expect success, but one should also accept defeat when it arises. My dad volunteers thousands of hours of his service to many causes and expects no recognition whatsoever. I admire anyone who has enough humility to not expect nor want recognition for good deeds or success. From my family, I have learned that true champions are judged by their humility.
  
  All of what I have learned from wrestling would not mean anything if I had not pertained it to my life. I have used the skills I have learned from wrestling in everything that I do. I put my whole heart and all of my effort into every aspect of my life. I strive to outwork everyone in everything that I do. When a challenge or defeat comes up, I use what I have learned to persevere until the very end. When things do not go my way, and I know that there is nothing I can change about what has happened, I take what I have learned and accept that how much I have accomplished, not how much I have not, is the true measure of success. I advise you to take some time and think about what you have honestly learned from wrestling, and then you will know how lucky you are to be involved in "The Greatest Sport".
  
  Ty Clark

• 1st Tournament, Oh No!

Was I nervous!! First, I had to face a guy who was
going to wrestle a guy named Luke but I beat him and I
won that match. The 2nd match, I had to face Kelsy,
that was a girl, she was tough we had to shake hands
then we begin to wrestle. I was shocked and I put her
in the cradle then I won that match. The 3rd match, I
had to face a guy whose name was Jay I was about to
get pinned but I wasn't about to give up I got an
escape from him and I won the America flag trophy.

by: Frankie L.
1st year wrestler
record 20-1
grade 3
Milwaukee, WI 

• State
     
• The competition grows stronger, not much longer to wait 

One more goal to reach, now that I made it to state 

My mother is elated, her prayers answered at last 

Just making it to Madison, is all that she had asked 

My father is so proud, I can see it in his eyes 

With one win he'll say, "Son, you hung right with those guys"

My coach needs a couple wins, he's preached of the finals

He's driven me toward excellence, ran with me for miles 

My approach is still the same, I'm just in a big gym 

In six minutes the man across from me, will know I'm better than him 

My arm is raised in victory, my career in now complete 

Sometimes I strive for victory, today I won't be beat
   
   -Anonymous by Request

• As we go into one of our last matches of the year, we realize we have two more meets until we are “three straight” conference champions. January 24 had to be the biggest match of our year. We faced Madison East, one of the teams that was in our way for our championship. We come down to one of our last matches of our night at 189 pounds. Brock Schliem, a junior and his first time wrestling, wrestled one of his best matches. It came down to the last seconds of the match. As the clock ticks down the team gets excited. We knew that if he won there was no possible way that they could win. His big win lead us to victory!      
  We had one more match left to clinch the Big Eight conference championship three straight years in a row. We faced Madison Memorial. They only had 9 guys which gave us a huge lead from the forfeits. We get to our last match at 215 pounds and we receive a forfeit. We won the match and we are now three time conference champions.

• A short story...
  I wrestled for Port Washington in the early 80s and found out how much the youngsters really look up to the high school wrestlers. We were wrestling at a tourney and I had a kid come up to me, he was probably in 3rd grade at the time. His brother was at the tourney, and he tagged along with his family. Now, I was a mediocre wrestler (15-10 my sr. year), but this kid talked to me like I was a gold medallist - how did I get so good, what were my favorite moves, how many pins did I have, etc. I talked to him for a bit and told him his brother Dan was a great wrestler. The kid was Dennis Hall.
  
  Why the story? Well, to let all the high school guys on the forum know that the youngsters coming up are the future of the sport, and the better role models you are - showing good sportsmanship, taking part in local kid tourneys, encouraging them whenever possible - the better wrestling will be in Wisconsin. You never know, you may be inspiring a future Olympic champion.
  
  take care,
  butch

• A Dad’s Story

     The suspense was almost killing me.  My oldest son was going out to defend his title for the second straight year.  My hopes were high. I expected this match to be a good one. The opponent was undefeated, and a returning state place winner in Division 1.  More importantly, he was HUGE!  Most guys in the 189 pound weight class are big, but this guy was absolutely HUGE! 

            December tourneys are usually full of tough guys, and this one was no exception.  There were several returning state place winners at several weights.  Bill had beaten the fourth seed in the semi’s handily, tech falling his man in the third period, and setting the stage for a big finals match.  The opponent had pinned his way through.  His semi final match lasted all of thirty seconds.  He shot what we call a “Russian Double”, went to a bear-hug and just dominated his man.

            Bill was ready.  The two men shook hands and the whistle blew.  They parried for a few seconds and then came the “Russian Double”.  Bill countered well, but pulled the man up into a bear-hug.  He was on his back in a heart-beat.  Full bridging, he fought hard, but with over a minute left in the first period, it would be in vain.  The ref slapped the mat, and it was over…just like that.  Done.  Wow.  I felt bad for Bill.  I watched to see what kind of a reaction he would take.  He was smiling!  The biggest smile I have ever seen!  He not only shook the man’s hand, but gave him a hug as well.  As he left the mat, he just grinned. 

            I started down the bleachers to talk with him, and stopped.  He was already walking out of the gym with his sweats and a jump rope.  When he finally came back in the gym, it was just in time to stand on the podium and receive his second place medal.  He was soaking wet with sweat.  That’s when I realized the truth about this sport.  If my son never wins another match in his entire career, he got out of this sport what I wanted him most to get, humility and perseverance.  To be humbled by a better man, then to get up, deal with it in an adult like manner, and shake that man’s hand.  Wrestling has taught him to walk off the mat in victory or defeat with class.  Wrestling has taught him that goals are worth setting, and more importantly, worth the hard work to achieve them, and in the end, it is the hard work that is the reward, not the achievement.  Wrestling sometimes isn’t much fun, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences my boys will ever have.

  -Anonymous by Request

• "Kyle Maichle"
  To: <wiwrestling.com>
  Subject: Exciting Times at Appleton North for Wrestling
  Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003
  
  WIWrestling.com,
  
  I just wanted to e-mail you about what is happening with Appleton North Wrestling. Right now they are 10-0 overall, that is only for the second time in school history (1995-2003) that Appleton North has won 10 dual meets in a season. Also, I know Coach Scott Clough personally and there are strong feelings right now with everybody on the team. One, we may be doing some of the best things for wrestling ever in the history of the City of Appleton. That is, we are trying to end a long dry spell of no individual state champions ever in Appleton. There has been two occasions that almost happened. In 1993 when Chad Capelle of Appleton West almost won the state heavyweight title and finished third, and last season with David Quinlan (who is still wrestling) who finished third and had a shot to win at 112 last year. Also, I had looked at a booklet on the history of wrestling in the Fox Valley Association, and it has been thirty one years since an Appleton High School has last won a conference title, that was won by Appleton East in 1972. There has been two seasons in the early nineties when Appleton West came short of winning the FVA title. Appleton North when it had it first season finished third in the conference. Two, the team has had some exciting moments, one the Lightning had its first 100 win wrestler this year with David Quinlan and they might have their second with Josh Suhonen. I was on the team last year as a student assistant and I still remember last season how the team had bonded together after we went 1-4 in conference duals, and how we won four out of our last five. Still, I talk to the wrestlers despite I am in college right now at UW-Fox Valley, but I keep in touch and train wrestlers whenever I have time. Scott Clough is doing and will keep on doing an excellent job for the Appleton North wrestling program. Also the former Appleton West and Appleton North Head Coach Dennis Gaiamo has been keeping close contact with the team, as now he coaches for Einstein Middle School in Appleton. Thank you, for keeping the teams results posted and making this a source of information that I use to interact with wrestlers I know. Hopefully, the goals and aspirations for Appleton North can come alive, as the tough duals against Fondy, Kaukauna, Neenah, and Oshkosh West come along.
  
  Thanks,
  
  Kyle Maichle
  Former Appleton North Wrestling Team Member (2001-2002) 

• "Andy Lindgren"
  To: wiwrestling.com
  Subject: Wrestling Story
  Date: Tue, 14 Jan 2003
  
  Bulldogs Come Back With Big Victory
  
  The New London wrestling team came back from a disappointing 34-18 loss on Thursday night against a tough Pulaski team to take first place on Saturday at the 46th annual Evergreen Invitational at D.C. Everest. Last year New London
  placed second in the tournament and in 1997 New London placed third. The last time a New London team placed first in the tournament was in 1995. The Bulldogs placed all 13 of their wrestlers with 4 of them taking first place, 4 taking second, 2
  taking third and 3 taking fifth. Taking first for the Bulldogs were: Mike Murphy at 112, Nate Cate at 145, Trever Otto at 160 and Cody Immel at 171. Shannon Conat at 130, Zac Loughrin at 189, Nate Krueger at 215 and Andy Sexton at 275 took second; Travis Fonder at 135 and Zach Strong at 140 took third and Jake Murphy at 119, Nez Cate at 125 and Aaron Kueck at 152 took fifth. New London's total team score was 542 points, 51 points better than second place D.C. Everest at 491. Next up for the Bulldogs is a match at DePere at 6:15 PM Thursday. Saturday the Bulldogs will host the Cutler Classic Invitational, which gets underway at 10:30 AM, at the New London High School. On Sunday the New London Wrestling Club will be hosting their youth tournament at the High School as well. Come out and support the Bulldog Wrestling Program.

• From: Ed Chappa
  Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 12:17 AM
  To: wiwrestling.com
  Subject: Schoolboy True Story
  
  This is a true story about my son Josh, Andy Tracy, His dad Wayne and Myself.
  The setting is Enid, OK at the National FS & GR Championships.
  Josh and Andy were both right at the top last year for the top Schoolboy (Kids) Award, with Andy winning it!
  Josh & Andy are both in the Semi-Finals of the Greco.
  Wayne and I are both helping at mat side to this point with each of our sons.
  We are also helping the other WI Kids.
  Andy just had a Quarter Finals Match and Wayne was a couple of mats away.
  We have an agreement to help each other so points do not get missed by the refs and for technique advice but most of all to help keep each other calm!
  Wayne said “ I will be Right There” after Andy’s last match.
  Well, Josh’s opponent for the semi’s is a kid from Idaho who won the Western Regional, Undefeated, and this years Reno Champ.
  The refs start the match and NO WAYNE!!
  We end the 2nd period at a tie 4-4 and I’m fit to be tied, OT and no Wayne!!!
  Josh then hits a back step for a 3 point win, A GREAT FEELING!! Then Wayne shows up and says” I was talking to Andy!!!”.
  OK ,we then go to Andy’s match and his opponent is a Kid from Alaska, I have seen this kid wrestling earlier and he looks TOUGH, like he grew up wrestling Grizzles!!
  I says to Wayne “ Man I am glad Josh don’t have to wrestle a animal that looks like that!” Wayne looks at me in horror and says” why did you say that to me?”
  I says back “ well Andy looks really tough too!! But this kid is like a Perfect athletic specimen and doesn’t it look like the kid could wrestle grizzles?”
  Wayne says “ SHUT UP” and I said “ I would not wish on you what Josh just went thru in OT”.
  He looks in Horror at me.
  At the end of the 2nd Period they are TIED!! Wayne is just beside himself, and I told him that I REALLY did not wish this on him!!
  Andy then hits a back step for the 3 Point win!!!
  The whole tournament Andy and Josh are supporting each other and helping each other, it was a pretty special moment!!
  OH YA , Wayne lived thru it!!