My Passion

-----Original Message-----
From: Justin
Sent: Friday, February 21, 2003 4:30 PM
To: wiwrestling.com
Subject: My Passion

I've been involved in wrestling ever since I can remember. Through my younger years with the (local) youth club and various middle school teams and of course my years at (my) high school. At best I was a average wrestler talent wise, but I was always one of the hardest working wrestlers on the team. I never won an MVP award and my coaches never felt I was captain material, but I won several most dedicated and iron man awards for never missing a practice, even if I was injured. Injuries, that word pretty much describes my wrestling career; regardless I never gave up. Still to this day I get upset thinking about my 1st match at regionals my senior year where I lost by 1 point, but that season prepared me for the rest of my life. I dedicated myself 110% to a successful season. What I did not realize at 17 years of age is that it was not my record that I would remember, but my determination to never give up and the blood, sweat and tears I shared with my teammates. After high school I was unable to continue wrestling while attending UW Oshkosh, because of financial issues. However, I was able to stay involved in the sport. My younger brother who is now 10 and in the 5th grade is my greatest joy. I began teaching him when he was just a little baby barely able to walk. Through his kindergarten and first grade seasons which were adorable to watch and his second grade year, when he gathered more first places than I did in my entire wrestling carreer and through the 3rd and 4th grade seasons as well. Deep inside I know my brother has the talent to be a tremendous wrestler. I'm not sure that he will ever love the sport as I did. I continue to be an assistant coach on his youth team and am there to support him with it all. For anybody that may read this and can understand what it is like to love a sport so much that it becomes your passion, you can relate. Wrestling was my outlet, my guide, my mentor. Growing up without a father and looking up to my coach (who is now my little brothers coach) is one of the greatest memories of my childhood. My favorite part of being involved with the youth club is having the opportunity to work with kids who remind me of me when I was that age. Over the last couple of years there have been several kids that stick out in my mind. The kids that were completely dedicated but not always the most talented. From my perspecitve and from my experience, I have the unfortuate opportunity to see every coach I've ever had, single out the best wrestlers on the team, even if they don't know it and pretend to care about the others. For any other coaches that may read this, I wonder if you feel the way I do. Anyday of the week I would rather have a team of dedicated wrestlers who love the sport than a team of state champions. Wrestling is a wonderful sport, it helped me grow into who I am today and has partially shaped my outlook on life. Without hesitation I can, and will say it proud...I always tried my best and many times came up short, but when it was over I never wondered what if....because in the end my passion for the sport is immeasurable. It was not about the record, it was about the effort.
Sincerely
Justin