Olympia Super Duals

Junior High wrestling went to Olympia Super Duals today.  

It was a long day for Coach (and for those of us in the bleachers too.)!

A few wrestlers were out sick, so the team started the day giving up 4 weight classes.

Jeremy is trying hard to talk with each wrestler as soon as they come off the mat about what was good and what they could do different next time.

Caeden, checking in for his first match...

It was not a win.  He has been struggling a lot with anxiety, and Jeremy said his eyes were completely glassed over before he stepped out on the mat for this match.  

The coaches talked with him about the match after, and he moved into the "losers bracket." (It was a double elimination tournament.)

Caeden had his iPod and new bluetooth headphones with him today so he could listen to music before his matches, so we took this picture to send to him across the gym.  Then we realized he didn't take his headphones and iPod out of the bleachers when he left.  But all his girls were supporting him!

Second match!

It was a pin for a win!  

Ok, well, it wasn't called a pin, but everyone but the ref who saw it said it was a pin! 

He still won the match even without the pin being called.

Reviewing the match...

Cheering on the Mustangs!

Caeden's third match of the day...

It's a pin!!!

Another win!

4th match of the day

It was pretty tough to get pictures on this mat from where I was sitting.

Another pin for another win!

That's a raised hand!

Winning that match got Caeden into the finals!  Next he will wrestle for 5th place!

Fist bumps, thumbs up, and high fives back in the stands!

It is just a sea of wrestlers and coaches and officials and people here all day!

Last match!  

Two points!

That's a pin and a win!!!

5th place in his weight class!!!!!

He's smiling!  It's his first time placing in a JH tournament!

He almost forgot to go shake the coach's hand after the match, which was actually funny because the coach is our friend Mick who goes to our church!  They had a good laugh.

5th place medal!

G'ma Sandi was here all day, sitting in the bleachers cheering Caeden on!

Coach Dad and his wrestler