The Hubris of the Defeated

Keegan had his first wrestling tournament. Let's just say, "We learned a lot about wrestling today."

First, Keegan had to weigh in last night. He weighed 55.4 lbs, placing him in the 59 class instead of the 55 class.

Lesson 1. We should eat supper after he weighs in and not before to take off the four tenths of a pound.

Next, Keegan and I left right after the first service at church this morning because most of the wrestling tournaments are on Sundays. Keegan changed into his wrestling gear in the car of the parking lot at the meet.

Upon arrival inside, we learned a few more important things.

2. There were only four other wrestlers in his age group and weight division for this tournament. This was a good thing because they give out 1st through 4th place trophies, meaning no matter what, Keegan would receive a trophy.

3. With only four wrestlers, they do not do a double elimination bracket. They do a round robin tournament, so each child wrestles the other three.

4. Bouts are kind of like individual matches. For Keegan's age group, each bout consists of three 90 second sessions.

5. Tournaments are very organized and yet utter chaos, all at the same time.


6. This picture shows the different mats. One giant mat is split into four sections.

7. Once again referring to the picture above, I took this after the younger wrestlers were finished. As mats close because the wrestling is done, children and dads go out to the mats and have a free-for-all time until all the mats close and the older children begin wrestling.

8. There are several people who use foul language at these events.

When the younger wrestlers were finished, Keegan's section began. He was bout #2, so he only had to wait for one bout to wrestle.



Here he is in the blue singlet and red headgear.

9. After someone is pinned the bout is over. Keegan's first match lasted about 30 seconds. He lost, but he wasn't too shaken because he didn't have to wrestle that long.

10. Wrestlers are allowed to have a coach at the sidelines during their bouts.

11. In the future, I need to find Keegan a coach from our wrestling club before he begins because I don't know what in the world to tell him to do!

12. Sometime, wrestlers have to wait two hours until their next bout.

We waited about 2 hours, but that was nice because Jeff showed up then. He's much better at getting Keegan psyched up for the next bout. Eventually, he met his next opponent on the mat. There is a very nice family from our wrestling club that has a child Keegan's age who wrestled, and their high school son coached Keegan during this match.

13. Three 90 second sessions are a lot for a nine year old to wrestle.

Keegan made several reversals, which are escapes when the opponent takes you down. Unfortunately, more points are awarded for a take-down than a reversal. Keegan really didn't understand the point system, so he was very sad that he lost even though he didn't get pinned.

Keegan was feeling really defeated at this point in time. I'm so glad that Jeff was there to lift his spirits. I just didn't know what to say.

14. Sometimes wrestlers only have to wait an hour to wrestle again!

15. Boys who have a special MYWA (Michigan Youth Wrestling Association) singlet had placed within the top five in the state competition in a previous year. (Yes, this was Keegan's last opponent.)

Keegan was pinned again, but he lasted through most of the first 90 seconds. He was very upset at the end of his time.

16. Novice tournaments are held for wrestlers with less experience competing.

17. The most important lesson of all: When we give our best, mom and dad are still proud, even when we fail.

We picked up his fourth place trophy and headed for home.

I think that sometimes, we are so afraid of failure that we quit. However, when we give our best, our heavenly father is still proud of us, no matter what our earthly results appear to be.