By KAREN MADORIN
When I grew up in the 60s, girls could play sports with boys at recess if they played rough as guys--no handicapping because they had to play in a dress. By the time I got to junior high, schools offered girls basketball, volleyball, softball, and track, but no football or soccer. Girls’ basketball played with odd rules—a split court with offense on one side and defense on the other—only the ball passed across the center line. By the time our daughters competed, females played 5-man full court. Recently, girls’ athletics added the option of wrestling. With a granddaughter grappling for the first time this year, we face a steep learning curve. The critical lesson learned so far: It ain’t over til it’s over.
Our ten-year-old, a ranch kid, feels more at home on horseback herding cattle or squatting in dusty corrals to help during annual brandings than she does competing in a ball game. She tried soccer and preferred working cows. This year, inspired by her cousin, she tried wrestling. The individualist in her found a sport she loves, leading her fans to heart-stopping moments and laughter.
Parents and sis support her 110 percent, getting her to practices, acquiring necessary gear, and doubling up on weekend chores to attend wrestling events. Mom found affordable shoes on Marketplace that caused giggles. When Coach asked our very literal gal where she got her foot wear, she answered, “Mom got ‘em off a lady’s porch.” Mom quickly explained the pre-arranged purchase. More laughs followed as we watched videos filmed by an enthusiastic little sis. Camera focus tilts wildly as ad lib commentary reveals the photographer’s commitment. “I believe in you, Sissy!”
Wrestling requires physical participation. Athletes clash muscle to muscle, fighting to survive 3 one-minute periods as opponents attempt to knot them into pretzels and pin their shoulders to the mat. Attend any weekend match to find over-crowded parking lots and standing-room only for latecomers supporting youngsters giving this sport their all.
Our grand is a novice. Good coaches guide her, allowing her to discover she loves one-on-one competition and the confidence she gains from watching and supporting others, losing, and winning. She and her loved ones have relished every opportunity to explore this intense sport that delivers character development in spades.
This sport more than some demands a burning desire to overcome painful opposition. It also demands quick analytical and decision-making skills as well as stamina to either overpower stronger competitors or employ strategic leverage to win. It also means athletes and their fans can’t let scoreboards psych them out. Loved ones alternate between holding their breath or cheering loud enough to rattle rafters as they encourage their wrestlers to hang tough. Staying in the fight is essential.
It’s high-tension time when wrestlers are down 15 points with 3 seconds left. If they flip that opponent to their back and pin them with only a heartbeat left, they win. Sometimes we think we’re licked when we aren’t. Wrestling teaches that life lesson early. Considering girls didn’t experience this when I was a school girl, I’m thrilled to watch gyms filled with singlet-clad little girls realizing the match “ain’t over til it’s over.”
Karen Madorin is a retired teacher, writer, photographer, outdoors lover, and sixth-generation Kansan.