Can you find Dr. Amy as a wrestling cheerleader?

I grew up in Iowa. Iowa, the Hawkeye State, is known for corn, kind people, the state fair, RAGBRAI, and wrestling. We raise wrestling champions! I grew up as a wrestling cheerleader (yes, there is such a thing) and sat through thousands of hours of wrestling meets. I proudly watched friends of mine make it the state finals, and win! My brother wrestled, my uncles wrestled, and most of my male friends. I hold so much respect for the sport – there are very few athletes who, win or lose, leave everything on the mat. The sport teaches young kids (now girls too!) so much. 

So, last week, when my son had a night off from competing in wrestling, what did we do? We went and watched his best friend, Mikey, wrestle instead. He was so fun to watch. Weighing in at 165 pounds, he’s scrappy, strong, and fast. But I was quite disturbed by another wrestler on his team. This student athlete is a two-time state champion, so understandably has some bragging rights. That’s quite an accomplishment and he’s likely to bring home a third championship this spring. 

I’m more of a wrestling aficionado than a technical expert, but I do understand the sport quite well. And I could not believe my eyes. This kid rarely interacted with teammates, instead preferring to hangout around the fringes with friends who weren’t competing. While wrestling, he was taunting his first opponent, a bit. He smacked at his head, postured to shoot with a smirk, then won via tech fall after the second round. Now, I understand that if you’re the best, there’s pride. But when does it creep into conceit? Poor sportsmanship? So, match one, I wasn’t super impressed. During his second match, he blew his nose on the mat (gross!) in front of his team bench, and after pinning his opponent, threw his head gear across the mat, raising his hand, indicating that he’s #1. After winning, he failed to shake his opponent’s coach’s hand. Then, went back to hanging with friends. It’s hard to describe the arrogance, but I hope you’re getting a picture of it. 

His coach did nothing. At one point, he postured towards the snot-blowing, indicating that was gross (which it was). But he did nothing to re-direct this young athlete towards greater respect, sportsmanship, or teaming. I think I was more disappointed in the coach than the kid because children behave how we allow them to behave. 

Friends, there were scouts there for colleges that night. It made me wonder, were they looking for a great wrestler or a great athlete? To me, a great athlete means being acclaimed at your sport and a good human being as well. Maybe this kid is a great human – I don’t personally know him. But what I saw that night was less than convincing that he’s a great athlete – not the kind I would want on a collegiate team. There was absolutely no humility present. 

Several parents around us commented on his behavior. Most were appalled. But many indicated that it’s unlikely that he’d be reprimanded because “he’s so good.” 

At any rate, you might be wondering about the kid we went to watch. Mikey pinned his opponent in the first round of his second match. He shook his opponent’s hand, jogged over to shake the opposing coach’s hand, then sat down with his team again. He came up to thank us for showing up for him, and often sat with his mom when he had a break, checking in with family and friends who’d given up time to support him. He’s 2nd in state. First in good-humanbeingness. 

I’ll go watch him anytime. Hope everyone did great at districts! Onto state