Wow, had a few busy days and now Sunday is coming to a close so looks like another busy week ahead with work. I want to give props to the New Richmond Lion Wrestling Team for winning League Title 3 years in a row. Didn’t know if we were going to make it this year. Cody came down with a stomach virus Friday morning at 4:00, yes I was cleaning the bathroom at 4 in the morning, and he didn’t stop puking until 11:00 that night. He had to go to school and actually stayed all day because if he would not have gotten to wrestle. He lost 5lbs and actually weighed in Saturday morning under weight, first time that has happened in his four years of high school wrestling. He looked horrible, but he was not missing out on wrestling his last League ever. He won his first two matches by pinning his opponents quickly, but came up short for his final match. The final match went all three rounds and he just pooped out. He was disappointed, but knew in his heart he was not 100%, but helped his team in their hunt for a 3rd year in a row League Championship.
As a mom I was concerned watching all of this and seeing my son struggling with sunken cheeks and pale complexion. I was also concerned because I knew the disappointment he would have if he didn’t do well, but I knew he would always wonder if he didn’t at least try for himself and his team so I stood behind him in his decision to compete.
I learned many important things that day about my son and his teammates. I learned what ‘having heart’ really means. From getting texts from my son while he was at school puking all day and then watching him dry heave for another nine hours before finally stopping and keeping water and Pedialyte down he never once doubted he wouldn’t wrestle the following day. He said that his team needed him and he wouldn’t let them down. Another thing I learned is that in the four years he has been on this wrestling team he has developed a special bound with his teammates and to the awesome coaches. After he lost his finals match for first place they gave him space, but only for a few minutes then one by one each and everyone of them made some kind of contact with him by either patting him on the back or just sitting by him saying nothing at all, but giving him a nudge and the support he needed. They all seemed to feel his struggle that day and his loss. I was humbled to my very toes to see this and it’s something I will remember for the rest of my life.
It really hit me Saturday how much I am going to miss not just wrestling, but the people. It will be like losing a part of my family. It’s going to be a very emotional couple of weeks.
Congrats to the five league champs: Brody Hooks, Austin Skaggs, Kyle Weeks, James White and JR Forsee. Our four second place finishers: Cody Gabelman, Robbie Lemar, Clay Loadman and Nathan Dixon. Third place finisher Tyler Loyd and our two fourth place finishers: AJ Rostetter and Luke Hoskins. Thanks to the contributions of Chris Klinker and Ryle Beckerich we achieved our third title in a row! We missed you Ryan and Corey!!!
Everyday we are overcome with struggles and obstacles life throws in our path and it took a team of wrestlers from New Richmond, Ohio to open my eyes and show me that you don’t have to overcome them alone. You guys truly ROCK and you are NR!!!!
Hugs,
Teresa
