State wrestling tournament offers special experience
Published: Friday, March 18, 2011, 10:25 AM
The “Parade of Champions,” the culminating event to the Ohio High School State Wrestling Championships, is truly something to experience up close and personal.
The time is 5:45 in the evening on the first Saturday in March with nearly 12,000 fans nestled into their seats at the Value City Arena inside the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of the Ohio State University.
An opening ceremony takes place with distinguished guests from the OHSAA along with selected speakers recognizing the year’s newest members to the state’s wrestling, coaches and officials “Hall of Fame.”
This is a traditional honor that brings a few of the state’s top high school coaches and officials to center stage and receive the applause so deserving for the numerous years of dedicated service they have given to the many student-athletes participating in wrestling across the state.
Then, the lights dim and the spotlight shines on those who the fans really came to see. The arena’s public address announcer instructs the crowd to look at the scoreboard high above the floor and watch a video depicting all of the action that took place the past few days out on the mats.
The announcer speaks of a code of honor among all wrestlers, who seek to take that special place on the podium at the conclusion of their final match. And as the question of “Are you ready” is asked of the crowd, a large, lengthy and thunderous ovation is delivered echoing throughout the arena.
It is the perfect segue for what will surely bring a smile to those proud parents in attendance, and chills to every wrestling fan who ventured to Columbus for this annual and eagerly anticipated event.
With the spotlights shining in nearly every corner of the arena, the fireworks explode with the smoke swirling about the air drawing the attention of the fans to the tunnel as 84 of the best high school wrestlers in Ohio emerge all walking proudly toward the mat hoping their path takes them straight to a state championship.
The music played to accompany the athletes procession toward the wrestling battleground is certainly inspirational, motivational, and an audio experience to perhaps make those whose competitive days are long behind them, want to put on the tights and engage in just one more match for the ultimate of grand finales.
All of the finalists representing 14 weight classes from Divisions I, II and II, are marched inside the arena led by OHSAA officials. They meet standing across from their opponent. Two individuals, two disciplined and determined athletes, two teenagers truly defining the word competitor, and both with the same goal — to have his arm raised in triumphant joy knowing this year, he is No. 1.
But like all competitions, the road to the finals can be a very bumpy ride. And for some, such a road traveled doesn’t even allow them to reach the intended destination.
It is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching to watch what these young people go through in order to wear the label of a champion. The roller-coaster of emotions is something most people would shy away from.
A champion, though, is nothing if he is not a risk taker. The willingness to sacrifice and yes, even risk failure, is a rare commodity indeed. In trying to be your best, one may fail, but without the original effort, one will surely never have an opportunity to succeed.
At the OHSAA state tournament, it is not uncommon to see heartache, anger, and unimaginable disappointment when defeat comes calling. There are wrestlers who sit in the arena hallways for hours after their match agonizing over “why me,” and “what could I have done differently to change this outcome?”
Of course, every high school wrestler who makes it to the state tournament should know that they have truly been successful. But don’t tell that to a young person moments after his or her dream was seemingly shattered before their eyes, and seemingly, in the blink of an eye.
Think about it. What other sport exists where that one mistake can cost you victory, and deny everything that you worked so hard for? One can always come back during the course of a game regarding a strikeout our defensive error in baseball, a fumble or dropped pass in football and a missed shot or a turnover in basketball.
But in wrestling, a year (or more) of hard work and preparation can be gone in a split second. It’s just you against your opponent. There are no teammates to back you up should you have an off day. An off day in this sport, is a guaranteed loss.
And so, as these finalists make their way to Ohio’s biggest and brightest stage for high school wrestlers, and the meeting of the two takes place with the pre-match handshake symbolizing congratulations and respect, one can only admire and hopefully emulate the kind of work ethic demonstrated by these individuals that brought then to this moment in time.
This special and traditional “Parade of Champions” reminds us all of the human spirit and that with a sincere commitment to only settle for the best of results, anything is possible.
The 2010-2011 Ohio High School state wrestling finalists made their walk in the Saturday evening parade long before this cold and rainy night in March came to fruition.
They took this stroll down a very memorable lane a year ago inside the hot gymnasiums and workout facilities mentally and physically preparing for such a noteworthy introduction. And with each lap around the track, with every weight lifted and an attention to detail regarding diet and nutrition, the arrival to the center of the mat ready to battle for first place was the only vision acceptable in the minds and hearts of these 84 individuals.
The final match has just been completed, the arms have been raised in victory, the placers have been so honored at the podium, and the three schools have hoisted the trophy to the adoring crowd in recognition of a team state championship.
And as the arena empties out, one young man stands alone in a hallway. His state championship medal draped around his neck with both smiles and tears on his face.
“I will never forget this night for as long as I live. I’m a champion. Now, I have to go back to work in order to experience this all over again.”
This is the mindset of a winner. These are the thoughts of one who understands the road to improvement is always under construction. And yes, those are the words of one who took the right path to achieve the label that everyone came down here to proudly wear for a lifetime — CHAMPION!
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