Friday, December 26, 2008
By now most of you have heard the tragic news that Sal Castillo's family was involved in the fire and shootings on Christmas eve. Sal and his two sisters were not harmed by the gunman, however their family suffered tragic losses of both grandparents and Sal's mother Sylvia, along with several Aunt's and Uncle's. The coaches have been in contact with Sal, and are working on a plan to help assist the family. Our hearts go out to Sal and his sisters, and since we are family, we will take care of them. Let's please allow the family some privacy regarding this matter, and just offer up gentle support and loving arms. More information about assistance will be availible at a later date.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
WOW and more WOW
What a crazy weekend! First off the duals at San Dimas, more on those later. Then a dual tourney at South Hills Way to go boys first place and everyone got to wrestle. Friday we went to El Dorado and wrestled all day and returned to the school at midnight, just to leave the next morning @ 7:30 to go back. We beat last years record of 5 placers and had 6 this year with 2 finalists. In fact it's the first time since the 215 pound weight class was added that SH had both the 215 and heavyweight in the finals at a tourney other than league finals . Great Job to the girls as well out at 1000 oaks, a champion adn some thirds! Then early Sunday morning I was cutting mats in the wrestling room, and now tryign to update stats and review film and get ready for the Sultana dual. It must be wrestling season!!!
Now for the San Dimas dual. I was really impressed all the way around we not only had fans, but we had alumni and alumni families there. I was very impressed with Coach Josh Stragier's squad, (although I knew he could do it) and need to clarify things. The rule book says that the end of match procedure is that the competing wrestlers must shake hands before the winner's hand is raised. It has been a tradition ( one that is not honored in collegiate wrestling) that wrestlers shake the opposing coaches hand. Here is my stand point. If the Dual meet starts with a line up and meeting in the center of the mat, the wrestlers shake hands. Before they wrestle they shake hands, after they wrestle they shake hands. they shake hands with the coach after a match. they shake hands again as a team with ALL the opposing wrestlers and the opposing coaches again (starts to sound like a little much). In the mean time a wrestler who has won a hard fought match runs over to receive a limp wrist or knuckle bump from the opposing coach ( which I view as disrespectful) if anything at all (especially if the match was close). Most times in a very heated dual things are said by parents, volunteers, kids, and coaches alike to the winning wrestler. All because he did what he was supposed to do, win. I made it clear that we would not be going across the mat that night, in order to a.) speed things up, and b.) to protect my kids. I informed both the referees, and the other coaches. I understand many fans felt what we did was unsportsmanlike, or to punish Josh, quite the contrary. I was protecting my kids. We did shake hands after the duals as always and will continue to do so, as we will in skipping the perfunctory handshake with the opposing coach after the match.
That being said , all who won this weekend great, all who lost great too!! It's what we learn form both our wins and losses that count. December tournaments (while fun) aren't the tourneys you WANT to win, that one is in March : )
Now for the San Dimas dual. I was really impressed all the way around we not only had fans, but we had alumni and alumni families there. I was very impressed with Coach Josh Stragier's squad, (although I knew he could do it) and need to clarify things. The rule book says that the end of match procedure is that the competing wrestlers must shake hands before the winner's hand is raised. It has been a tradition ( one that is not honored in collegiate wrestling) that wrestlers shake the opposing coaches hand. Here is my stand point. If the Dual meet starts with a line up and meeting in the center of the mat, the wrestlers shake hands. Before they wrestle they shake hands, after they wrestle they shake hands. they shake hands with the coach after a match. they shake hands again as a team with ALL the opposing wrestlers and the opposing coaches again (starts to sound like a little much). In the mean time a wrestler who has won a hard fought match runs over to receive a limp wrist or knuckle bump from the opposing coach ( which I view as disrespectful) if anything at all (especially if the match was close). Most times in a very heated dual things are said by parents, volunteers, kids, and coaches alike to the winning wrestler. All because he did what he was supposed to do, win. I made it clear that we would not be going across the mat that night, in order to a.) speed things up, and b.) to protect my kids. I informed both the referees, and the other coaches. I understand many fans felt what we did was unsportsmanlike, or to punish Josh, quite the contrary. I was protecting my kids. We did shake hands after the duals as always and will continue to do so, as we will in skipping the perfunctory handshake with the opposing coach after the match.
That being said , all who won this weekend great, all who lost great too!! It's what we learn form both our wins and losses that count. December tournaments (while fun) aren't the tourneys you WANT to win, that one is in March : )
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