A letter from Rollie Lane
I have lived and loved wrestling for a long time now and I am thankful for the opportunities and influences that wrestling has brought to my life. I respect the sport of wrestling because I’ve always considered it the fairest sport of all. Wrestling allows every young athlete the opportunity to compete with someone of equal size. Competition is human nature and wrestling provides competition in its purest form. BUT … wrestling is not for everyone!
Contrary to some people’s beliefs, wrestling is a safe sport. The referee’s number one priority and responsibility is to protect all athletes from injury. Illegal or potentially dangerous moves are not taught nor allowed, even though sometimes accidents happen. I once thought I had a good athlete talked into wrestling, but when he asked his mom about it, she told him she didn’t want him getting hit over the head with chairs – true story – Thank You, Pro Wrestling.
The teaching and learning of technique never ends and is fun for me. One time in practice while drilling moves, one wrestler kept asking “what if?” I had to tell him that “what ifs” were called counters and we would work counters another time, but right now concentrate on the moves. I have learned technique from my wrestlers. Some of those “what ifs” actually work.
Wrestling requires a lot of hard work and dedication. I appreciate and respect the coaches and wrestlers for all they do. As fans, I think we should all remember the importance of the hard work and dedication because with it, we are treated to some great matches and the wrestlers end up being rewarded for their efforts.
Wrestling is tough and demanding, but the end product is what I like the very best about the sport. When I see the tears from a young wrestler who has done his best but still lost, I know that when he recovers, he’s becoming a better person. In my mind, those who complete the journey, regardless of their final record, are winners, each and every one of them. Wrestling teaches character and perseverance, which carries over into life and these qualities equal success.
Some of the best people I know are fellow coaches, former wrestlers and mothers and wives close to the sport of wrestling. Many brotherhoods are created because of wrestling. Coaches like and respect other coaches. Wrestlers like and respect other wrestlers. And many friendships are made for life.
I am honored and proud to have my name associated with a tournament of this magnitude. I am appreciative and grateful to all who have worked so hard to make this possible over the years. Thank you to those of you who have made the dedication and devotion to the sport of wrestling.
Sincerely,
Coach Lane
Contrary to some people’s beliefs, wrestling is a safe sport. The referee’s number one priority and responsibility is to protect all athletes from injury. Illegal or potentially dangerous moves are not taught nor allowed, even though sometimes accidents happen. I once thought I had a good athlete talked into wrestling, but when he asked his mom about it, she told him she didn’t want him getting hit over the head with chairs – true story – Thank You, Pro Wrestling.
The teaching and learning of technique never ends and is fun for me. One time in practice while drilling moves, one wrestler kept asking “what if?” I had to tell him that “what ifs” were called counters and we would work counters another time, but right now concentrate on the moves. I have learned technique from my wrestlers. Some of those “what ifs” actually work.
Wrestling requires a lot of hard work and dedication. I appreciate and respect the coaches and wrestlers for all they do. As fans, I think we should all remember the importance of the hard work and dedication because with it, we are treated to some great matches and the wrestlers end up being rewarded for their efforts.
Wrestling is tough and demanding, but the end product is what I like the very best about the sport. When I see the tears from a young wrestler who has done his best but still lost, I know that when he recovers, he’s becoming a better person. In my mind, those who complete the journey, regardless of their final record, are winners, each and every one of them. Wrestling teaches character and perseverance, which carries over into life and these qualities equal success.
Some of the best people I know are fellow coaches, former wrestlers and mothers and wives close to the sport of wrestling. Many brotherhoods are created because of wrestling. Coaches like and respect other coaches. Wrestlers like and respect other wrestlers. And many friendships are made for life.
I am honored and proud to have my name associated with a tournament of this magnitude. I am appreciative and grateful to all who have worked so hard to make this possible over the years. Thank you to those of you who have made the dedication and devotion to the sport of wrestling.
Sincerely,
Coach Lane