WOW

All I can say is amazing. Amazing, that I have had the privilege to become involved with so many great families, and have been able to share n so many memories. To my boys, Thanks, I have enjoyed coaching you, but have loved knowing you. The last few days, I have been travelling across this great country of ours, and have seen the beauty in it, from the Grand Canyon, to the Rocky Mtns, and even here in the state of Kansas, it has been both inspiring, and humbling. However no matter where I go, I know that I am who I am because of those at SHHS, both as wrestlers, and as friends. Until next time...............

Land of Hope and Dreams

is one of my favorite Springsteen songs. It just gives you hope that everything will be okay, and that everyone has a chance. Yesterday I confirmed to a small group of wrestlers that I have been in negotiations with school district 300, and have accepted their offer to teach and coach at their high school in Illinois. It was a decision that has been on the back burner for a few years, and while no time is ever the easiest time to leave, I felt that this year may be the best opportunity for my family since my boys are getting older and the relocation process is a little harder for them. I want to thank all the parents for the support and criticism they have given me over the last 6 years. You are an amazing example of what support should be. I will miss the many friendships that I have developed with you over the years, but will remain in contact. I would like to thank all my wrestlers past and present for the opportunity to share something very special with you. No, not just wrestling but watching you grow into young men and even a few of you young women that I am proud to say I have and do know. Thanks to Strag and Froh for being two of the best friends a guy could want. I have been proud to be a husky, in fact that is what brought me back to begin with, and I will continue to be proud of all that we accomplished while I was there. Trust me the words have not come easily, the decision was not so cut and dried, but I have to think about my family as well, they are the reason I have been able to be so successful as a coach. While the boys love being in the room with guys like ty and varg and Mitch, and have been blessed to know guys like Strag, and Flo and T Dub, my wife has never missed a dual, and is my biggest fan, I cannot thank her enough for her sacrifices. A little known fact is her basketball team at La Puente won CIF and went to state before ANY of my teams did. So until we meet again, I wish you all the success in the world, and remember "if nothing changes, nothing changes;"

Taylor

Teddy Roosevelt said,

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
"Citizenship in a Republic,"Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

And I do this year in and year out because I too have failed, many times, but the lessons learned and the pride in knowing that i TRIED was well worth it. Maybe not at that particular moment, but I realized later that I was given a gift in defeat. A gift of persistence and determination to never have that happen to me again, not to never try again. I have had hundreds of kids cry on my shoulder, and I sometimes on theirs, when the season came to an end. But I know that in my heart, they are the lucky ones, not the victors. For the victors are quickly rushed away by the screaming crowd, while they are left alone with their thoughts, and in those thoughts are the plans of once again rising to the top to try yet again. I am extremely proud and honored to have coached many young men ion my life. I am extremely proud and honored to be a Husky. I will rise again and set my sites on the prize,but do so with new found knowledge, and determination. One day we will stand at the Rabobank arena, our team, and hold that trophy high, and all those who have gone before us will be there too in spirit because family never forgets. Mitch, Kyle, Greg, Ty, Mike I t has been an extreme pleasure to watch you grow up many from when you were small boys, in to fine young men. Not all our goals may have been reached , but that didn't and won't stop us from reaching again. I love you , and wish you all the best in whatever you choose, and whatever you choose I know you will represent SHHS , and the wrestling program very well.
As for you under class men get to the club on Wednesday, start failing, so when the time comes e to will taste victory.


Taylor

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.

Duals Individuals and MAsters

OK, again I am a little behind.  Yes we won the duals, very convincingly for a rebuilding year.  Then at CIF Individuals we placed second to Temecula Valley, however we will return all but 3 placers next year.  Now I ready to turn in to get ready for Masters in the morning, and I can think of only a couple things.  Tomorrow is tough, but Saturday is tougher.  Watching kids go home never gets easy.  I look forward to next year and the kids we have coming in, and returning.  But, the task tomorrow is to get to state, and that is the focus until Sunday.   TO all the parents who helped, although I think only one reads this, THANK YOU .   Your service to the program is invaluable, and only make my job easier.  Hopefully my next post will have great news about kids going to state.

The Road to State

Okay, so I am not exactly keeping up on this. Between practice, seeding meetings, Josh's baseball practice ( yes I coach that too) our wrestling club, and grading time has a way of slipping away. So here we are undefeated in league, and looking back at league finals there is a mixture of excitement and some sadness. Excitement that we had 12 in the finals during a year in which everyone thought we were going to fall on our face,and sadness watching kids I have had the pleasure to coach and watch grow up start on the road to their last match as a husky. It was awesome to see the young kids like Vincent Herrera and Jeremy Osborn win their first league title, and satisfying to see Daniel Flores, Thomas Morales defend last years crowns, and set their sights on besting their brothers. Tough to watch the two freshman who have weathered all the storms and challenges to stay on the top line all year lose in two very close matches. But, I didn't know how to feel watching Mitchell Chatfield break the grip of his brother's shadow in becoming the next league champion in that family. Or watching Mike Ramos go from a little kid who told me in a wrestling room a long time ago he would wrestle for me, how about watching Ty (yes that's his name) Olson grow from a 130 pounder to a state ranked 215, knowing how hard he has worked and how much he deserves it. Maybe a little heartbreak as Joe Talarico lost in a referee's bad decision, or Jeff Vargas coming back after a broken ankle to place second. I did feel a little envy as Greg Vargas took his older brothers advice and kept wrestling becoming a two time league champion and MVP of the league. I thought Kent, what if?" Now I have the dual meet stuff in front of me and will begin to prepare for those that we may see, and have already done the scouting for CIF individuals. We have a lot of youngsters that need to begin to come into the club and wrestle on Monday and Wednesday, the cost will be low $15 a month, but it will be invaluable. Thanks to everyone who has helped make this year a success so far,but we have a long way to go. Only a handful know how difficult this year has been , both emotionally and physically. I would like to thank ( and I will at the banquet) Scott Stragier who over 20 years ago kicked me in the butt, and continues to be my coach and my best friend. I will miss the rides, the hotels, but mostly the remember when stories. This is not one of those moments that I want to remember. We have a great shot at another title so come on out to Alta Loma and cheer us on this Saturday.

Temecula Day 1

Okay before I go to bed, everyone has checked their weight, and looks good.   Okay, man this tourney is tough.  CLOVIS , TV,BAKERSFIELD, CLOVIS WEST, a lot of teams from our CIF and Duals.  After day 1 the huskies have 9 still in competition.  Daniel Flores, Vincent Herrera, Jonathon Perez, Joe Talarico and Dakota Behr are all still alive in the consolation round, and will need to win the next 2 to place.   Mike Ramos, Ty Olson and Greg Vargas are in the Championship  1/4 finals and need to win just one to place.  The team overall is 2 points out of 3rd.  Not bad for a rebuilding team.   This has been kinda fun providing updates , sorry they are so late .    

Temecula Day 1

We're here

At least at the hotel.  Everyone has weighed in and will get ready for the 6:30 run then 8:00 weigh in for the Temecula Valley Tournament.  Tonight was a great night for SHHS Wrestling.  The Junior Varsity handed Nogales a 7803 drubbing and then Varsity beat Nogales 81-0.  There's always a chance for a letdown, but we really have started to turn a corner.  For live webcast information of the TV tournament, check thecaliforniawrestler.com.  Another varsity team will go to Arroyo Tournament.   Next week the team travels to Walnut, and with that maybe the last time as a San Antonio league member.  The time has come for the schools to look at re-league which may be  better since our league now only sends the top 2, and sometimes we have 3 tough kids and someone gets left home.    Senior night came and went so fast, before we know it we will be saying goodbye to guys like Dylan Crawford.  Lets try to make Walnut a bit brighter this Thursday by again issuing a "WHITE OUT".  I will try to get an update out tomorrow night after the first day of wrestling.  Don't forget  Takedown club meeting Tuesday  January 27th.

Thoughts and Ramblings

Okay so I have fallen a little behind, but I hope to catch up in one shot. The Arizona trip was a huge success, and if thy do not change the date next year we will be there. Three kids made the all tournament team, with two more very deserving of it. The team finished in 4th losing to Thunderbird HS both times. While we were there, the rest fo the Varsity ( I hate to call hem B Team) went to the Brea Olinda Tournament,and had a few placers. After that the Varsity went to the Blackwatch TOurnament at Upland. The team set a school record for most points in a tourney, and had 6 finalists, and 5 Champions. Three days later the JV and Frosh team went to Chino Hills and the JV won the tournament and had 9 in the finals, and the freshman wrestling without a full team took 5th. School Started back up and the team has been focusing on league, and the Top line guys got a well deserved weekend of of competition, and the rest of the squad went to Nogales, where 10 wrestlers mad it back to the second day. Again 2 wrestlers found their way to the podium. Not bad for a team that is "rebuilding". This week we start the defense of our league title. We travel to West Covina, and hope to have a huge following , with everyone wearing white. We want to bring our own "White Out" into their gym. After that the takedown club will be having a social, on Saturday Night see Arnie Behr for details. In just a few short weeks we will be talking about CIF, the season is really flying by. Okay I think I have us all caught up. Now I need to get back to burning Scout DVD's for this week.

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.

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 : )

I was Born For THis

I was humbled, almost emotional on Saturday. We spend a lot of time away from our families, and their events to provide a top notch program, and to see all those parents there,(not just the same ones) it was almost a validation that what we do is important and has an impact. I was amazed, but not surprised when I saw all those parents in the cafeteria on Saturday. We do have the best parents in all of Sports! The kids worked very hard and really seemed to be eager to wrestle, ,and get started on this season. I know that we have a lot of things planned for this year, a lot of travel, a lot of wrestling and after Saturday it looks like a lot of support. Please drop me a note at ctaylor@cvusd.k12.ca.us if you have not received your e mail newsletter, I will add you and send one asap. Spirit Packs are in pick yours up now. Extras can be purchased for sibling and parents, in fact we are working on a parent specific line of clothing. I myself was extremely tired, but was rejuvenated after watching former Gopher Brock Lesnar defeat Randy Coutere last night. Man, I thought he was big in person!!!!! He looks even bigger on TV. The lineups will start to become clearer this week as we get a better idea of who wants to go where, and a second round of hydration is yet to be scheduled. As I sat in church this morning, the lines form a song made me think about the program and our season,

The greater things have yet to come the greater things are still to be done in this city

With 60 plus wrestlers on Saturday, including 5 football players, I truly believe that great things will happen this year for south hills wrestling.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all affected by the fires. If you or anyone else you know needs assistance, and the wrestlers, coaching staff, or boosters can help in ANY way let us know. Good luck to our Wrestlers playing Friday night in the 1st round of the CIF playoffs. Congratulations to Mike Ramos and Matt Sustayta on a great senior cross country season.
Maybe by Monday I will have my voice back and wont be so sore :)

Things will get interesting

This week the wrestling room will be open on Monday night from 6-8 and Wednesday night from 6:30 - 8:30 for some more intense drilling and conditioning. The reason, two actually. We are ALL going to the SCWA tournament at West Covina on the 18th, and we are a little behind after our mandatory shutdown. The latter proved successfiul, as everyone of the 72 wrestlers on the off season roster have their forms and Adopt a husky in. We have mailed over 20 more Albertsons cards and will see a big check in a few months. The next two major projects are getting the district to move a little faster on the purchase of our new mat, and to get the remaining 35 or so kids to pay for the session six clinic. Remember there will be an all parent meeting on October 30th and we will have all the hydration information available as we will hydrate on the 28th. I know that the Halloween open is on the 25th, but last year it was really crowded and several wrestlers only wrestled once or twice, and the coaches feel that the amount of time we will spend in the Session six training log will benefit us more. Look for very tired, sore and cranky wrestlers this week.

Clinic Cancellation and Changes

Parents due to the low number of sign ups for the Clinics, we regretfully inform you we will be canceling the following clinics: Mack Reiter and Cole Konrad, Brandon Eggum and Luke Becker, Nick Purler. It is uncertain whether we will reschedule any of these clinics. We are under a binding contract with session six and will still hold the October 25th clinic. The cost for this clinic will be 50.00, regardless of whether or not you have a session six book. This is a mandatory clinic. We will be returning your deposits, and all checks can be made to Chris Taylor. We are sorry for this inconvenience, and please understand that it will not happen again. If you have any questions please call one of the coaches immediately

WHO: Mike Clayton Session Six WHEN: October 25th
WHERE: South Hills Wrestling Room TIME: 12 Noon to 5 p.m.

ANy onformation on session six can be found at coach Clayton's website:

http://www.session6wrestling.com/

A Little Disappointed

I'm not sure whether it was the lack of phone blasts, the lack of flyers, the lack of information at the parent meeting, but this year we had several clinics set up. We set up an easy payment plan. And to date we still are shy of the 50 we need to have the clinic. Not by 5 or 10 but by 23. Most of them returners and potential starters. On Tuesday night I will cancel all clinicians and we will be on the same level as most other schools around us. Something I don't want to be. Starting to feel like kids are getting burned out and we are only in preseason. Lots of no shows, non suits and just i don't give A CRAP attitudes. Like the switch will get turned on in November and everyone will bow to the almighty green and gold. ( Ask USC about that) Anyway looking toward a new week and maybe new attitudes or newer excuses. We did do a pre hydration screening and only 2 wrestlers feel below the 7%. We were missing most Varsity football players, and a few starters unexpectedly disappeared as well. That's all for now, check out the updates on the page, added a few things.

Back to School Night and More

Back to school night was a huge success, we had over thirty parents there, with many new faces. As a coach it's nice to see that others share the same passion, and really that boils down to their child having the best experience of their life. Packets were handed out and Adopt A Husky is officially on. Packets are due the 24th of September. We are close to our quota in order to hold the clinics we have scheduled. The prognosticators have already placed the huskies behind the 8 ball, and they will probably start the season ranked #2, little does the rest of the world know....
A new mat is being designed, and should be here around December. ( we hope) At last count there were 60 kids in 6th period, and that does not include the football players or other fall athletes.
Reminder that the first 6 weeks is half way over grades are coming we have a 100% pass rate on the CAHSEE in English, and 99% in Math Way to go Huskies.
More to follow

2 weeks In

Things are underway in Husky land. We started our weight training and conditioning program along with our famous " Fieldwork", and the guys (and girls) jumped right in. I am excited , this team just wants to get better and better. They really want to carve their own niche, and prove everyone wrong. We have some great clinics set up, and the preseason is underway, with several Huskies wrestling at local tournaments. The big news is the New wrestling room practice mat that is being ordered and paid for by the district. Should be here by the time the season rolls around. Back to School night is coming up and I am excited to meet the new freshman parents and re connect with the returners parents. I have already begun to scout and look at the freshman football team for prospects, and there are a few. Things looks good right now at SHHS.

2 weeks and counting

It really seems that we say it all the time, but time is flying by! I still cannot believe I saw Thomas Williams off to Washington DC, or that Mikey Stragier is moving into his new Dorm at CSUF. Maybe the fact that I had 6 former wrestlers working for me this least week at J Rob after it seems they were just campers themselves. After I start to get sentimental at the loss of so many talented wrestlers, I get fired up for the groups we always seem to reload with. It is true that no one thinks that we can, or will do anything this year, but I know we can and will FIND A WAY.
That really is the reason I started this blog. I cannot begin to tell you of all the former wrestlers and wrestlers parents that I run into that want to know how he are doing, and so I thought that this would be a great way to keep everyone up to speed, if not on the programs happenings, then at least my thoughts as a coach.
We had a lot of kids wrestle this summer at camps and at Junior Duals in Oklahoma, but I am anxious to get cracking. We will have a lot of outside clinicians, and a lot of weight room work BEFORE the first day of practice, so be ready.
Change should be embraced, not feared. If we kept the Eric Osbornes, and Erin Milsaps, there would never have been room for the Kohl Crawfords or the Josh Pearsons. It is a great testament that we can and do graduate so many great wrestlers, and still FIND A WAY to reload every year, this one will be no different.


Taylor