A “feel-good” redemption story
The year was 2021 and I was in my first year as a teacher + coach combo. I had developed a strong bond with an athlete of mine – a young man with bounds of potential and lofty goals.
At the time, (and still today) we were about the same size. I’m young and able enough to still – albeit not to the degree I was once able – wrestle on a daily basis. And so this became customary. Over the course of the coming weeks and months a sense of trust and mutual respect was built. His aspirations were clearly laid out, and I made it a priority in those moments to aid him in reaching the goals he had decided upon.
I don’t much care to use real names within any sort of writing, so we’ll say that this young man’s name was Beau.
This particular year, Beau was a Sophomore in high school – a returning state placewinner. Within the state of Iowa, he was regarded among the top 3 at the 170 lb weight class. All signs pointed toward another spot on the Iowa High School State Tournament podium.
Everything was on track, until it wasn’t.
Three weeks out from the District Tournament (qualifying event for the state tournament) Beau was diagnosed with Mononucleosis (Mono.)
Anyone who knows anything about wrestling, or any physical sport for that matter, will understand what this diagnosis meant for the remainder of his season. With just a few weeks remaining, it was over.
Why? Why him? Why now?
How do you answer these questions? How is one to bring any sort of light to a situation ridden with darkness?
In moments where I found myself at a loss for words, and fully aware that no matter what clever and insightful phrase I could manage to mutter, nothing would take away his pain, I remained present.
“We will right the ship. We’ve got a couple more hacks at this thing.” I told him. Which was true, we did – thankfully.
Nine months later, coming off a successful “off-season,” Beau hit the ground running yet again to kickstart his Junior season.
Entering the season, it was unanimously agreed that he was (yet again) a favorite within the 170 lb weight class. As time progressed, this became all the more evident. Week after week, he cemented his name near the top of the rankings, and the ultimate goal seemed closer and more plausible than ever.
Just like with any major goal, as I so often say, you must incorporate micro-goals. Tiny checkpoints along the way, if you will – benchmarks on the route to ultimate success.
The micro-goals were as follows:
- Remain focused on the task at hand.
- Avoid senseless injuries.
- Stay healthy.
The post-season arrived, and Beau had managed to check each box. All of the points of emphasis had been met. It was his time to rock.
State Tournament time!
The bracket was set, the path was laid out, and Beau was four wins away from being crowned a state champion.
In the first round of the tournament, business was quickly taken care of, and it was onto the next.
Three to go.
Now into the quarterfinal, a quick start was nothing unexpected. A takedown from Beau in the opening seconds, followed by another shortly thereafter.
Then, a lift, a return, and a whistle. (Watch it here.)
“Illegal Slam” was the call.
Utter shock took over immediately. No one, including myself, could believe what had just happened.
It was over.
After what seemed like an hour, but was likely only a few minutes, I found Beau deep in the tunnels of Wells Fargo Arena. Sunned, angry and confused, he called out to me for answers once again.
Why? Why him? Why now?
Again, like just a year prior, I couldn’t find the answers, there were none. At an all-time loss for words, I did all that I could do – remain present.
Eventually, the consensus was this: “What’s done is done. Unfair as it may be, the only option is to move forward.” And so he did. In such an admirable fashion, he picked himself up, and stormed back to take 3rd place, the highest position possible after having his shot at a title stripped away in a split-second.
In place of what “coulda, woulda, shoulda” been Beau’s first state title, came an additional moment of heartbreak. Another season comes to a close, with one last opportunity to seize the elusive state title.
It’s now November of 2023. One last go-round incoming.
Yet again coming off a promising summer of wrestling, Beau was primed and ready to roll-through his Senior campaign.
With more than enough fuel from back-to-back agonizing season-enders, off to the races he went.
The ultimate goal remained the same, with the micro-goals from the previous season still in effect:
- Remain focused on the task at hand.
- Avoid senseless injuries.
- Stay healthy.
Match after match, Beau continued to put everyone within the state of Iowa on notice – he could not and would not be denied.
As the date approached, the anticipation grew.
Soon enough, February was here, and the stage was set. Beau was the #1 seed in the 190 lb class 3A bracket. Once again, four wins away. One match per day, Wednesday through Saturday.
It was go-time.
Wednesday, match one out of the way. Three to go.
Thursday, the quarterfinal bout, check. Two more.
Friday, the semi-final. In typical fashion, Beau lights up the score board and advances to the state finals. One left remaining in his path.
Saturday, the Iowa High School State Wrestling finals.
Some 15,000+ fans looked on as Beau took the mat. All of the heartbreak and the confusion, the blood, sweat and tears shed across years of devotion to his craft. It all led up to this moment.
The initial whistle blows.
Six minutes goes by in the blink of an eye.
On the other end of one of the more electric high school wrestling matches in recent memory – Beau’s mission had been accomplished.
I watched with overwhelming pride.
All that had caused so much anger and uncertainty, the things that once seemed like the end of the world, paled in comparison in this very moment.
Once at his version of rock bottom, this young man, whom I’d met just three years prior, had reached his mountain top, and I was immensely proud.
I’m thankful to have played a role in this journey, and even more so for the wisdom that it afforded me along the way. Lessons in leadership, perseverance, grit, and maybe most notably; the value in staying present – living in the moment.
When yesterday isn’t coming back, and tomorrow is uncertain, what sense is there in giving it all any more attention than it deserves?
Forged in Fire 
Leave a comment