The Year At A Glance!!!

[traversdad1]

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Looking back at a glance in the high school wrestling world of RI I can only speak from one mans perspective. So from that point of view I will try to convey what I have seen as a whole for this past 2010-2011 school year.

Having 2 sons and seeing my oldest son's high school career end and my youngest sons just start (on coincidentally my 47th birthday), I could not be prouder than I am today. Not just because of my sons but all those kids that I've seen them grow with in the last 4 years. Kids that honestly I only know through the HS wrestling program and the junior programs that they have been associated with. Kids that during all the years including mine would sometimes agitate the hell out of me because of things they did out of unrighteous anger or being just plain dumb-asses and knowing no better. To see that, than act no better because of my dumb-ass choice to swear and look like them doesn't seem to give me any creditability either. I can only apologize as a parent and tell you that I too am a work in progress. I haven't arrived any place.

But with all that said what I am proud of is seeing the growth of many of these kids. Many of whom I had times of not so much liking, I find myself caring the most for realizing there are many mitigating factors that are going on behind the scenes of why they are being punk-ish and dumb at times. I truly do care for kids as they truly are kids. 99% of these kids have no promoters knocking down there parents doors asking them for sign on bonuses for MMA or professional wrestling. But yet as parents we almost act like this is the case. They just are kids being kids. The thing I noticed the most is the old adage of you are what you eat, who you hang around with and what you believe about GOD. These three major factors all play into who you become in life and how you act in society.

What we as parents sometimes not understand is kids many times make poor choices because there pre-frontal cortex(the CEO of the brain) isn't completely matured yet. (more on this you can go to (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/work/adolescent.html) This by no means allows them the free ticket to continue on making poor choices but actually should put more responsibility on parents to help direct and educate their kids on what good and bad choices bring by bringing down the hammer when needed and loosening the bolt at other times. When I see troubled kids I see many times a parent that's not there.

The shenanigans that many times comes with wrestling tournaments like we had over this weekend is an example of the out side interferences that are going to test are characters. Everyday is a trial. How we interact with adversary will bring us closer to a better person or not. I for one do not pass a lot of tests. This is why I too feel that I haven't graduated and for this I feel shame. There were probably 3 or 4 things that people are now talking all about over this forum justifying positions of why they acted like they acted. Again each one in his own mind fighting for position to justify his self-righteousness. Look the answer might be simple to me but that doesn't mean you have to accept my solution. But what we should have to accept is the rightful attitude behind the intent of one that is trying to defuse any stirrup of anymore of these shenanigans. As I see it there are more issues than one when it comes down to any particular problem. Each issue should be handled separately. Each issue should have different consequences and each issue should have different degrees of grace given. With this said my intent is for the best of the kids social and mental development.

I could care less about who is on top of the podium when its all said and done but more so what that podium is supposed to represent. To me its just a box that has a number on it. But the person regardless of whether he gets to stand on it or not is what I am looking at. Not taking away anything from all the place winners but I am proud of the many that never got to stand on the BOX. Why? Because I had the pleasure of meeting some awesome kids with the right balance of what this sport truly means and many times they never placed. And again I'll reiterate... many never placed but to those kids that did place too and you know who you are this goes for you too. You might not see it but over the years my interaction with you has caused me to believe that maybe just maybe you were a little influenced by maybe something that we shared at one time or another. This is what I am proud to a part of as a parent of my kids and a parent in the stands...As I just recently wrote on one of the young boys face-book “Walking in integrity and manners goes out lot farther than ignorance and arrogance.”should be a motto that we all embrace.

Thank you RI wrestling for 2011...its been a fun year...not perfect but I suppose your a work in progress too...

Greg Travers

[come2wrestle]

Well said Mr. Travers. Good luck to your sons in everything they do.

[helper]

Mr. Travers,

This was the best post you have ever had on here. Thank you for that. And you like the youth have grown as well. I remember Josh's frosh year at freshman states when he lost to Cole (lots of ankle picks) I thought you were going to explode. To see you 4 years later as one of the people congratulating him was unique to see.

As one coach commented wrestling is so special in some ways, as you can bang heads and go at it and hate someone on the mat, sometimes being so physical it almost comes to blows. Then after the match chat and share a common respect for one another and the competition that you just went through.

This sport is about hard work, determination, intelligence, commitment, and in my mind respect. I feel that this is a part that a lot of people miss (myself included). You have to respect your opponent, if you don't you may find yourself being upset by them. Parents/fans need to respect all athletes out there, this is truly one of the most grueling sports, not just physically but mentally. There is no place to hide or anyone but yourself to point blame at (though we all like to blame the refs, once again me included... But truth is if you wrestle to a level where it's out of the refs hands, you can't blame them) when you lose but yourself. The fact that we all at times lose site of this respect is a problem, it is a problem that I am proud to say that many people have overcome (Mr travers I'd say you have), and it worries me that others have not yet gained site of.

I remember the reason my parents got me involved in the sport, partially for me to dispense energy but also to learn values, the values that this sport teaches that others don't. This sport continues to build my character, dealing with adversity and challenging seasons. I just hope that not only the student-athletes learn character from this sport but the parents/fans do as well.

As to my year in review in a matter of Respect here are things that stood out to me.

I am glad Vicente won the OW because I feel that he shows the character of a wrestler as much or more then anyone else out there. It's not just that he won, it's how he won. He never stopped and worked to the last second of every match (and I have seen him in the practice room and I'd say it's the same way). He had a mind set that he could wrestle with the best and beating Shoneil who has been at an elite level for 4 years shows that. Another amazing thing I saw was when Meyers first ran off the mat ( after Immediately turning in his bout slip and shaking coaches hands) the first person he stopped by to share his amazing accomplishment with was Shawn Gibblin, showing the respect for the sport. While on the subject of Meyers, the thing that actually has gained the most respect I've ever had for coach Gordon was the way he handled the first meeting of Travers/Meyers. I don't know how many of us would have been able to handle that same situation with as much respect for an athlete and a sport as he did.

This was a crazy state tournament and I hope people can just remember the finals, because this displayed what the sport is all about. No more RIIL yelling at people, no more obscene acts both on the mat and in the stands, or at the corners which had been happening all weekend. But kids working hard, cheering each other on in a respectful way, and lots of determination. I am glad when the stands were the fullest that's what everyone saw. Hope you all enjoyed

Congrats to all the seniors whether you leave as a state champ or a kid that didn't even place in the JV tournament, the fact that you've been involved in this sport shows that you are tougher and of better character then the majority of the population. Underclassman remember summer (off season wrestling) makes winter champions. Work towards and maybe next year you will be the next OW or the next 4 time state champ, or next only state place finisher from your school. Have a goal work towards it!

[travers1217]

damn this is deep lol. Well congrats to all the seniors who are leaving and goodluck to the up and coming wrestlers

[canupinme63]

Greg....good stuff you stated here, as crazy as you are - funny thing is that we who know you, know that your passion is because of Josh and Aaron... we tease you and laugh and bust your chops, but we know it comes from goodness..not being just a *&&$%*(_ jerk as others are. You say it as it is...certain parents and coaches need to have that 'trophy on the wall' as we say - you do wear your heart on your sleeve, and if you upset people, oh well, they can get over it...although at the cities you were a 'little' loud at one point if you remember:) You have done a great job with both kids and I am honored to have been involved with them for a number of years...

Helper, great response - I also agree Vincente deserved the OW for how he went about that match - I said that to coach Tom G who deserves so much respect for 2 reasons...1.) for his assistance in laying down part of that foundation for Vets to win states as a coach for Warwick PAL 5/6 years ago where he assisted us as youth coach for most of the Vets champions this year and 2.) for developing champions at at street tough school..great job....and for regonizing what Mike did...when he ran off the mat to hug Shawn showing that respect that was awesome...and I have to admit, I go back and forth on coach Gordon, but what he did at the dual meet w/Travers-Meyers was classy..... and as for Travers of Cumby - class act my friend....if you are reading this, I was the guy you spoke to walking to my car after finals, you and your dad gave me congrats to the team, and I said it was class all around last year and this...... Greg my friend...... here is a hint....nice IROC pix!! see ya around !