2008.02.04

Two weeks ago, Mini-Omega had the chance to come in first place in his bracket. It came down to the final match. Mini-Omega lost that match by a score of 5-3. Mini-Omega was very disappointed with the loss. We talked about the match. There are always lessons to be learned in defeat. We can learn more about ourselves in defeat than victory.

Mini-Omega wrestled at Carroll High School in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday. Mini-Omega's first match was against, Caleb, the boy who two weeks ago beat him 5-3. Since losing that match, Mini-Omega, has spent a lot of time at practice working on his single leg and double leg takedowns.

Before the match began, I reminded Mini-Omega that to be successful in this match, he would have to take shots. Mini-Omega attempted shot after shot throughout the match. None of his shots were successful. However, the shots were good enough to throw Caleb off balance. Mini-Omega scored early and often. The referee stopped the match at one point and issued a warning to Mini-Omega. Mini-Omega was forcibly grinding Caleb's face into the mat trying to run the half nelson. The final result? Mini-Omega won 11-3 in an extremely physical match.

It took both Mini-Omega several minutes to settle down following the match. Mini-Omega's two remaining matches were good old-fashioned maulings. I believe this is the first time that Mini-Mattis has faced opponents exclusively of his experience level. Mini-Omega is still far from being a technically sound wrestler. But, he goes hard every second of every match. He is fiercely competitive. In Mini-Omega's second match he won by pin in the first period.

The third match was interesting for unpleasant reasons. Mini-Omega went right after the kid. Mini-Omega dominated the kid for the entire first period. I glanced at the score heading into the second period; the score read 3-2. There was no possible way that was the correct score. I informed the referee that the score was wrong. One of Mini-Omega's coaches talked to the referee. Coaches from the other wrestler's team spoke to the official. They ended up correcting the score to be 5-0. None of this would really matter, Mini-Omega pinned the kid halfway through the third period.

After the match, an elderly gentleman walked up to me and angrily stated, "Next time, you need to let the officials take care of the score."

He then stormed off. I assume he was the kid's grandfather. I am sure he was disappointed to see his grandson lose. It was just one of those moments where... I wasn't trying to cheat. The referee made a mistake, our coaches knew it, and their coaches knew it. We fixed a mistake. None of the coaches or the official got heated. But, the elderly man was none too pleased.

Looking farward, there is a good chance that Mini-Omega and Caleb will square off again. I am sure Caleb wants to avenge yesterday's loss. Mini-Omega will have to continue to improve if he wants to be successful the next go round.

Anyway, that it your weekend wrestling update.