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Monday, December 22, 2008 One day removed from the team at Kansas City, I'm inspired to share some thoughts. I knew the wrestlers had a high level of talent. However, I was taken with their high level of character. On the team, there are great card players, great chess players, great logic puzzle solvers, great movie and music buffs, great cameramen, great comedians, and most importantly, great kids. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a phenomenal season. This already is a phenomenal season: the lessons we've learned, the growth we'll share. No matter what happens this year on both the individual and team levels, this season is one to remember. Across this state and this country, there are some that might forget: the goal isn't to produce the best wrestlers possible; the goal is to produce the best young men possible (and sometimes young women). I'll admit, I've made some mistakes as OPRF Webmaster and Assistant Coach. But I've always led with my heart, and my blood runs orange and blue. I still may make mistakes as time goes on -- whom am I kidding? Of course I'll make mistakes -- and I will learn. One promise I make is that I will never quit on this team or on these boys, however I do recognize that there are more important things than wrestling, such as health and family. I will do my part to instill a deep Huskie pride in the individuals who lend their ears and eyes to this program and to this community. The pursuit continues always. Wednesday, October 29, 2008 With less than one month remaining until the opening competition, I decided to take one more step toward adding exposure to the OPRF wrestling program. I received an amazing OPRF Wrestling polo shirt, but something just wasn't complete. I know! The word "Coach" with my last name on the back! At first thought, I was enamored with the idea. The space didn't look too enticing, however. "Hmmm," I thought. Then, it hit me! Why not be a walking advertisement for this fine website!! On to Shirtworks, 127 N. Marion St. in Oak Park. I walked in with an idea and out with my finished product (and a well spent $18.70 less in my pocket). So, at OPRF meets this year, just look for the guy with a web address "tattooed" on his back. And say, "Hey, Webmaster! Cool website!" =)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 We did it! OPRFWRESTLING.COM has gone live! I'm so proud of the entire OPRF and Little Huskies wrestling community. My goal is to have the best high school wrestling team website in the entire country. It's off to a great start. Such continues the relentless pursuit. Wednesday, July 23, 2008 A little over two years ago, I stumbled upon the knowledge that there was wrestling during seasons other than winter. Yes, I knew that there was Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. I even tried that myself when I was a freshman at OPRF, but my 0-for-everything record did in my wrestling future. I remember offseason tournaments as long Sundays where you get those medal ribbons (you know--nice, but not that nice) for winning your round robin bracket. Did you know that there are so many more tournaments, both in-state and out-of-state, that really mean something? I didn't! Yes, offseason wrestling can be a little difficult to follow. But if you visit this website's Links section, you can get a great start. Let's get back on topic, shall we? If you didn't know, there are several big tournaments in Fargo, North Dakota this week. Cadet and Junior National Championships are taking place. OPRF is well represented in Fargo with six competitors: Ben Brooks (Cadet--Greco and Freestyle), Lillashawn Coleman (Junior--Greco), Ellis Coleman (Junior--Greco), Aaron Minnis (Junior--Greco), Chris Dardanes (Junior--Freestyle), and Nick Dardanes (Junior--Freestyle). I've been following on TrackWrestling, but I must give thanks to Jaguar on Illinois Matmen. I learned that I could watch the finals live! Ellis Coleman earned a spot in the finals, and I followed Jaguar's advice and watched on LiveSportsVideo. It was a great match. You'll hear it a thousand times (or maybe you won't), but Ellis was 15 seconds away from a National Championship. His opponent was Eric Grajales of Florida. (He's really good; look him up!) I began to get a little sad after I saw Ellis lose, but then I made an empowering realization. How many fans out there have it as good as I do? The OPRF wrestling program is one of the best in the state, and Illinois wrestling is one of the best in the country. I have it good--real good. I get to sit back and enjoy the amazing wrestlers like Alan Cartwright, Justin Henry, Chris Henry, Jamar Johnson, Ben Johnson (no relation), Ellis Coleman, Lillashawn Coleman, Weldon Rogers, and Peter Kowalczuk to name a few. And, the good keeps coming. New wrestlers will arrive--some not yet born--and they will leave their imprint on the OPRF legacy. I have so much to enjoy. I have so much to look forward to. And I intend to enjoy the ride.
Friday, July 11, 2008 Is it November yet? I can't wait for the start of the new season!
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