Wrestling "season" 2014-2015

I use the term "season" for the title loosely, as in our house, the season never really ends, only settles down for a bit. We weren't sure how the "season" would go this year as for most tournaments Carter would be the younger of the kids for the 3rd and 4th grade brackets or 9 and 10 year old brackets (being a 9 year old 3rd grader) Even though the kids have to weigh the same, wrestling a kid a year older does make a difference. I'd say finishing the year with a 40-3 record proved he can hang with the older kids! His only losses again this year were at National tournaments, losing twice to the #1 kid from California and another kid from Kansas. He was able to redeem his loss to the Kansas kid later on in the season, beating him to place at Flo Tulsa Nationals in Tulsa Oklahoma in January. 

So once you reach 3rd grade, you have to qualify for the state tournament, just like high schoolers. Up until this year, the state tournament is open to any one from K-2. The state has 8 districts, with our district being the biggest, hence more kids competing at the tournament. Carter's bracket had 24 kids in it, again a mix of 3rd and 4th graders. The top 4 finishers get to go onto the state tournament. Based on your finish at the districts, determines your seed for the state tournament. 

The championship match came down to Carter and his friend/wrestling partner Koufax. These boys wrestle each other in practice 2-3 times a week, sometimes Carter wins, sometimes Koufax wins. Carter came out ahead this time when it counted, winning 7-1.

The future of Waukee wrestling! Conner, Koufax, Noah, Thurman and Carter!

A week after districts, I got a call from the school nurse saying Carter got hurt at recess while playing basketball, his left thumb looks really bad and I need to take him into the urgent care clinic. Her words were, " I think it's broke" My heart sank.

Due to the swelling, they were unable initially to determine if it was broke, so -they put a soft cast on it for a week. A week later it was re-xrayed and confirmed it was broke. No activities for 6 weeks. The room was silent for about 30 seconds until Carter started crying, Jeremy hung his head and I sat in disbelief. It was so hard to see my non emotional son be so upset over this.

Now I realize, this is NOTHING compared to what some parents deal with everyday, trust me, I get it. I work with people who have sustained life alternating injuries/illnesses everyday. If this is the only injury we have in his athletic career, we'll consider ourselves lucky. This will heal, there will always be next year.

A few weeks ago I was cleaning up Carter's room and found this piece of paper. Now handwriting is not is strong suit, but it basically says, my goal is to be a state champion, he's going to get there by practicing, working hard and learning new moves, his parents, friends, family, team and coaches are going to help him get there, and he knows the goal is met when he is a state champion.

I asked Carter about this (I had never seen it before) and how he felt about it. He said, well, it'll still be good for next year! Yep! You are right buddy! There's always next year!