Springsteen

said it best when he said, "Still at the end of every hard earned day, people find some reason to believe." That's just what 3 Huskies did on Saturday night. Danie Flores, Mike Ramos and Ty Olson are the next representatives to state for the South Hills Huskies. Master's is a tough meet where anything can happen and usually does. Every year very deserving kids just can't fight their way out of the "meat grinder" and end up not going to state. This year the team took it in stride several underclassmen feel short of their goal, and a few seniors wrestled the very last time as a husky. It's so hard, elation on minute and sheer exhaustion and sadness the next. I have hugged and cried with too many kids to count, but the feeling that as a coach I let them down in their quest always haunts me. But, it is the times when Mike Ramos runs into my arms after beating a kid he had lost twice to, to qualify for state, when I see him as that little 10 year old kid in my wrestling room at Workman that make it all worthwhile. Or perhaps it is the ton of weight I saw lifted off of Ty's shoulders now tat the dream is a reality that keeps me going. However, it is also watching Mitch Chatfield get so close, but so far. In that moment when you know just how good he has become, but cant help but fell the pangs of loss that make you question why you do this year after year. The answer is simple my reasons to believe are the 9 returners form this years team and the 20 or so others who are ready to take the mantle and continue on with the rich tradition of South Hills Wrestling. I am inspired by my kids, they make me want to be a better coach, not for myself but in order to take them to the promised land, so they too can taste success. Many thanks to those of you who have read this this year, I know I have not always been up to date, but I have been honest, there are times when I wanted to retire, times when I didn't want it to end, I realize it's not always the mountain, but the climb that is the reward, and I still look at a room full of fresh faces and find some reason to believe.