(Photo credit: Melissa Thrush Photography)
My youngest son - no quit on that face!
Sports have always been a part of my life.
Growing up I played every sport I could and eventually my love for sports transpired into a career path for me with a Degree in Athletic Training. But this is not the reason I count sports as one of the most influential factors in my life. It is because of the undeniable fact that it has helped me teach my children through their own participation, some of the most important lessons in life. When my oldest son asked me at age 6 if he could wrestle I was hesitant. I had heard many negative things about the sport. It can be really rough, it teaches kids to fight, and there is no pro league or future in the sport. But he pushed to try and I finally gave in. Now four years later with two boys wrestling, what I have discovered, is that wrestling, has taught my children far more than I could have ever hoped to teach them on my own.
Through wrestling they have learned that life is TOUGH.
You don't always win and not all those watching are rooting for you. Sometimes your best isn't good enough and somebody else is just better. They have learned that giving up or quitting is not an option. Perseverance is how you make things happen. It has taught them respect for their peers, their coaches and themselves. They shake hands with their opponent before and after each match, win or lose, and they walk off the mat with confidence.
(Photo credit: Molly Zimmerman)
My oldest son medaling at the PA State Wrestling Tournament
To those that say this sport provides no future, I say you couldn't be more wrong. Their future is now limitless. What they have learned through their time as wrestlers will make them productive adults. They will grow up to be strong, confident, and hardworking. They won't ever expect a hand out. They will always be respectful. They will know what it feels like to face a difficult situation head on and walk away knowing they did their best. They will themselves be a reflection in life of what it means to be a wrestler.