Before we jump on "wrestling father", let's understand that it's OK to be disappointed and saddened by a loss, particularly after six months of working on a goal. But the "point" is that you have to get back up! That's life. It's not so systematic that you are entitled to first place because you worked for it. Life is not "fair". Sometimes, it has nothing to do with the amount of "work"---which is also a life lesson. Did the employee who was downsized not "work" hard enough? Of course not. Or the terminally ill, did they not work hard enough?

Stuff Happens. Period. And wrestling helps our boys learn how to Get through it, Get over it, and then Get Going . . . on to their next Goal. That's how the real world works.

Also, we can't measure the value of the sport to our boys by the number of medals or bracket boards. It we do, we'll be writting wrestlings eulogy. Fight for First. But be ready to go back to the practice room and prepare for the next battle. Mom's and Dad's all over the world are doing it every day. Shouldn't we get our boys ready to do the same??

Finally. Guys that think like this make up the majority of coaches. We just don't write on the measage board much.

Life is not easy, convenient, predictable, or set up just to make us content. In fact . . . here's the one that everyone misses. Life is NOT FAIR. One of our wrestlers lost on a horrible call last year (in Carbondale) and was knocked out of the medal round). He went right to work and is a better wrestler (and more importantly a better young man today) He's going back to Carbondale on a mission.