The CIF (California) State Championship Finals (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)I spent this weekend in Macon, Georgia, at the state tournament watching as boys and girls took to the mat, giving it every single ounce of effort they could muster up. I saw tears of defeat, screams of triumph, untimely injuries and I saw hearts break, as dreams were destroyed. I had this moment of clarity sitting outside, as I watched athletes leave the arena with their heads hanging in disappointment; what matters most is not the medal, it's not even the final six minutes on the mat, but it is the journey that got you there.
Some of these competitors were wrestling in their final match ever - hoping for an outcome that would solidify their dedication over the course of the last 10-12 years. They wanted to prove all of their sweat and blood, the injuries, the early morning runs, the extra lifts, the excruciating weight cuts and the commitment to training; they wanted to prove it was all worth it. In this one-man (or woman) sport, all eyes are on you, and so is the pressure. That pressure to perform during the state tournament, during your last tournament of your wrestling career, it can feel as though it weighs a thousand pounds. So many shook it off or carried it well, blowing through their opponents one by one; others fought, battled past the point of pure exhaustion and pushed themselves to their victory one match at a time until they were handed a medal to signify their job well done.
So wrestler, in a sport where there can only be one winner, one champion, I realize a state tournament leaves a trail of heartbreak for so many others. If that was you, the one who didn't win, the wrestler who still hungers for a different outcome, I'm writing to remind you, you're efforts did not go unnoticed; Your commitment was not unseen. The principles this sport taught you, the character it helped you to develop, even if you don't realize yet, they are more of a reward than you know. Dedication, perseverance, discipline, self-awareness, resilience, commitment, grit and mindset - these are all necessary in life, all valued far more than a medal or state title, and they are yours because you worked for them, you earned them, you sacrificed to learn them.
A medal is great; it's an achievement you should be proud of. Being a state champ, that's no small task, but neither is having the guts to get out there and wrestle, to give it all you got, to win or lose, know you gave it your all with no regrets. You see, along the way, you formed friendships that will last a lifetime; you had practices that were so hard you threw up, your coach yelled so much he was hoarse the next day, you pushed yourself so hard you didn't know it was possible - you overcame. The loss this weekend may sting for just a bit longer, but soon you can laugh, and you will for years to come, as you think back on all the ridiculous antics your teammates did, all of the predicaments you got yourself out of with a move your coach told you never to use. You will smile as you remember that final match in your high school gym, the rides home from practice with your friends blasting their favorite song, your parent's face after you pinned your opponent, your coaches voice telling you, "good job!" One day all the memories you made, the relationships you've built, those will be cherished far more than any medal that ends up in your bedroom drawer.
So to those who didn't finish the way you planned, I hope you know you didn't leave that arena empty-handed. You did not waste years on a sweaty mat just to go home with shattered dreams. The journey that brought you to that final tournament, to those last few minutes on the mat, that is the prize, the real award, and I pray you cherish all it taught you.
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