The meet lasted all day and I was tired when it was done, but very proud of Tommy and of the team. Tommy won his first four matches, three of them pins, and lost his last match to a wrestler from Linden who was a tough opponent and (we heard) ranked third in the state.
The team won the meet against five other schools, with a 5 - 0 record. It was a great way to start the season, and for new head coach Brandon Chesher to start his career as their leader.
These young men have to push themselves mentally and physically to have success on the mat, and good adult guidance is of utmost importance. Watching how men conduct themselves has always been an influence on how boys learn to become men, and sports can either be a help or a hindrance in that journey. Fortunately, in this case, the influence is positive.
I was present during the long day of the meet and helped make sure the team had food and beverages to keep them energized. At one point, I had to go home to get another knee pad, as Tommy had some swelling in the knee that wasn't already protected. As I walked out of the school doors into the parking lot, I saw a man at the end of the sidewalk, yelling at two teenage boys who were standing near my car.
The man's language was crude and threatening, and I turned to look at him as I walked past, thinking he might see me and clean up his act. He did not. I walked over the to the young men and asked them what was going on, and they told me they had yelled, "Go Maples!" (our team name) in the parking lot, and the man started cursing them, and that's when the yelling match started.
I said to all three of them that they should just stop talking to each other, but the yelling continued. The man told the teenagers that he was going to come over there and "put them to sleep" and that he would call his son out there to beat them up. One of the boys said he would call his dad out there, and pulled out his phone to text his father. The mocking continued and the man's irrational behavior escalated. I was concerned that he was unstable, to be getting into an argument with teenagers and threatening them.
I asked the boys if they wanted me to call the police. I felt it was warranted because in a gym full of Adrian fans, he might be likely to lose control and start a fight. I pulled out my phone (don't ask why I have the Adrian Police phone number saved on my cell, but it comes in handy) and hit their number. The man said to me, "You can't dial the phone fast enough," and started walking toward us. Honestly, I was freaking out, but I kept talking to the boys and told them to just be quiet and stay away from the guy. He eventually walked back into the building. I stayed on the phone.
When the police dispatcher answered, I told her about this rabid "fan" from another school, and said I was concerned about him being in the building if he was capable of threatening these teenagers, and me. She said she would send some officers to talk to him, but I had to point him out and give my name and phone number as the one reporting him. I complied.
I went back into the gym and sat next to the boys, and asked them if they had seen where the man went. We eventually saw him sitting in the bleachers on the other side of the gym. When the police came, I told them what happened, and they talked to him, then asked him to leave. I was still shaking, but was determined not to allow someone to ruin the event with bad behavior.
How can someone justify that kind of behavior, ever? And how can someone like that be an example to young people of how an adult is supposed to behave? We all hear about road rage, fan rage, domestic violence, and violent crime. Something is wrong with these people who do not have enough self-discipline and self-control to stop themselves from acting out violently against others. Something is terribly wrong.
Knowing right from wrong, and having self-discipline and self-respect, are all important aspects of growing up and becoming decent adults in society. Add to that respect for others - we cannot be called "grown-ups" until we have all these components. Until then, I assume we can refer to these people as "overaged adolescents". Let's hope they grow up soon.
And before I forget, I am so proud of my son, Tommy. Did I say that already?
Three of Tommy's matches on December 5th
