As I sit here after the end of my last wrestling season, I write this essay mostly for myself, reflecting on where my life has gone. Avon Athletics, in specific wrestling, has been there every step of the way. In packets put together by the wrestling head coach, I read about how great the sport of wrestling is from the perspective of a state qualifier. I want to share a different perspective. I want to share the perspective from a wrestler who has lost the passion for the sport he once loved; but also a wrestler who will never regret a single moment of time spent on the mat. What started from all sports camp in 6th grade, I had my first experience with wrestling. Playing socks or sumo, and learning my first penetration step. I loved it. It was unlike football, where you had to rely on your teammates; good or bad. If you won in wrestling, it was all because of your effort, your time, and your motivation; not anyone else’s. You can put no blame on anyone for your losses except yourself. Even though it is an individual sport, it still maintained the camaraderie of a team sport. The self-reliance with team oriented goals is what I found appealing in wrestling; but as I …show more content…
In order to be good in wrestling, you need to be mean. I have a drive for competition, but I do not want to injure the person in front of me. I’m by no means saying that this is the goal for many wrestlers, but the fanatics of the sport are willing to do whatever it takes with no regards to who is in front of them. In addition, I find it unappealing in the ways people choose to stunt their natural development in their poor weight cutting choices. The skin issues, the weigh ins, and the endless waiting on tournament days. It got to the point where I didn’t want to compete. Everything has pros and cons, but I found wresting was not my passion, and it shifted my mentality in the room, especially near the end of my high school