2008.01.22

Graduate school is a challenge to say the least. This past weekend wrapped up a 15-page case study for one class and read 300 pages for my other class. Next week, I have another 5-7 page paper due. Are you jealous?

On the home front, Mini-Mattis wrestled in his second tournament this past weekend. He was paired up much more evenly this go round. Mini-Mattis was the first match on his mat after the national anthem. I hadn't even turned the video camera on yet and Mini-Mattis had scored a takedown and was attempting to pin his opponent. In his first match, Mini-Mattis was able to attack like a wild bull and completely overpower the opponent. Mini-Mattis eventually scored a pin in the second period.

In his second match, Mini-Mattis wrestled a girl. This is the first time he has ever wrestled a girl. Let me just say, she was GOOD. She was EASILY the best wrestler in the bracket. Even so, Mini-Mattis held a significant strength advantage. He was able to weather the storm and win the match 7-0.

In his third and final match of the day, Mini-Mattis faced a tank. Mini-Mattis stands about 4'6". His opponent probably stood 3'10". The kid looked like a small boulder. Mini-Mattis could not toss the little boulder. Mini-Mattis tried and tried to toss the boulder. He had no success. Mini-Mattis ended up losing the match 5-3.

The coach and I were yelling instructions from the edge of the match. We were yelling for Mini-Mattis to attempt a single leg takedown. The muscle strategy was not working. Mini-Mattis needed to actually wrestle to win. Afterward, we went to the locker room. Mini-Mattis was very upset. I remained calm. I asked him what lesson he could pull from this defeat. We talked about the importance of listening and taking chances.