The West Family 6: Wrestling Camp

The Widefield Gladiator wrestling camp.

Drew, Dillon Campos and Jared Volcic (all three go to French are in the 1st grade)

I can just see recess becoming a wrestling match!!

Well...It has been one of those weeks. A couple of weeks ago, I offered to help out a friend who is a single mom. She has a 13 year old and a 5 year old. She had to go to TX (with the army) and needed a place for the boys. Originally, she just wanted me to have them part of the time. I told her that it would be easier on all of us if I had them the whole week. (What was I thinking?!) Anyways, she brought over a schedule that was beyond me. She had signed the 5 year old up for wrestling camp that was every night from 6-7:30 and on Saturday morning there would be a "tournament". If I was going to have to take and pick up Ky, I might as well sign Drew up.

It turned out to be a lot of fun for Drew. I think he is going to be a little more aggressive on the soccer field and basketball court. The divided them up by grades. Why? I don't know. Ususally it is by weight class. Drew was one of the biggest in the 1st grade group. However, it did allow him to learn more with the little guys. We now know words like cradle, shooting, reverse, take down, and escape. I had a blast!!! I was definitly one of the more enthusiastic parents at the tournament!

OK, so back to the camp part. Every night they had practice. We have two high schools in our district. The 8 elementary schools were divided up between the high schools by zones. We went to Widefield High. On Saturday, the tournament was Widefield kids against Mesa Ridge. Both high schools' wrestling teams had been the coaches for the week and ran the event. I was very impressed with the teenagers. They got right in there and taught the kids. They had no qualms at all with the little ones (they probably had more patience than I ever would have). The Widefield camp had more than the other school, so our guys had to wrestle some of their own. Drew ended up 1-1 and got second place in his bracket. I would have never allowed Drew to do this if it wasn't for Ky staying with us. I am glad Drew had the experience. My dad wants him to just golf, but who knows, maybe he will enjoy wrestling in the future.

Drew waiting for his first match at the tournament.

He is checking in for his first match.

His first match. I don't have many pictures from this match. Drew beat the kid pretty handedly in the first round so the kid wouldn't finish the match. It was fun to watch, but disappointing that they didn't get all three rounds in.

The second match was much more competetive. This kid wrestles on the club team. I probably chose all pictures of Drew doing something good. But, he did get thrown down a few times.