The CHS Patriots

I just want to say that I really, really admire my husband and all his hard work in wrestling. Day by day it is still amazing to me how endlessly he works and never tires of it. Sure he is dead exhausted every night as he comes home, and just when he is about to crash he gets a call from a wrestler, but I mean he never gets sick of it. I couldn't do it! His passion for not only wrestling the sport but for the kids, the commitment, and the lessons they learn from it never seem to end. In fact, it seems to just increase over the years.

This is Collin's 4th year as head coach of the CHS wrestling team. I look back at the first year and think, "wow I really had no idea what we were getting into." I don't think Collin did either! This is the first year that he has seniors on the team that have been with him all 4 years he has been teaching. That hit me yesterday as I was at a tournament with them and was looking at all the cute little guys and realizing that I'm going to miss some of them! A couple of his seniors have been there his whole head-coaching career so far! It is really great to see how much they have grown and improved throughout the years also. I went to the Rocky Mountain Rumble down in Utah with them this past weekend, and it was the first time I'd paid much attention to their wrestling this year. I was thinking, wow they have improved! To me it just goes to show how Collin's endless dedication continues to pay off. The kids have to commit, obviously, but he really seems to be a good example in that commitment and in encouraging them to keep trying their best. Another thing I was so impressed with as I spent some time with the team this weekend was how close they are! It was so cute! They really all seem to be good friends. I guess any sports team usually is, I was the same way with the dance team. But they all truly have fun together, the coaches included. I was talking with a mom of a freshman wrestler and she was telling me how much the comraderie of the team has helped her son out this year. I was glad to hear that and it was really fun to see them having fun with each other. (of course, maybe not including the stupid high school boy immaturity crap. . . )

My handsome husband . . . he is in the corner of almost every match at these tournaments. A lot of his family came to watch and I was there too, but even when he was visiting with us he had one eye on the mats to make sure he wasn't missing any of his guys' wrestling. And if one got called, he was GONE! I tried to convince him to let others take it but if he could help it I don't think that really happened.


BTW. . . . Collin has the AWESOMEST assistant coaches!!! He really likes each one of those guys. And I like their wives! I think he is so fortunate to have such great help with the team. I know his coaches all care about the kids and the sport just as much as he does. They are so dedicated and they all seem to work so great together as a team. While I, of course, get to enjoy the fun part of getting to know all the other wrestling widows and playing with their cute kids! It's a win-win if you ask me. I hope the other wives and coaches know how much Collin and I appreciate all their hard work. I don't know what he'd do without them!!
The team is doing . . . GREAT!! Their record so far is 11-4. They've been in the top 15 in their last 2 tournaments. Let me tell you , it is much more fun watching this year when they win lots! But hey, I was a good sport last year too, I just want to point out. :)

I've seen lots of pins . . .

pins . . . .

and more pins!

And check out the throw! Yet another reason I would be way to chicken to even consider in my wildest dreams doing any sort of sport like this.

So, there is an update on the team. I hope they keep up their awesome-ness, and I'm sure with Collin in the lead they will!

I have to admit, I definitely have millions of moments of weakness (or selfishness you could call it) when I really get sick of hearing about the team most nights over dinner and seeing Collin stay up late to plan workouts or have to make late calls to parents when it's our family time. But thankfully I get reminders often that what he is doing is worth it. I don't know how much, but I am pretty sure Collin and the other coaches' influence on these guys is going to last their whole lives! And they depend on him a lot. I can give him up for 4 months out of the year! (I'm especially more willing when I spend some time with them and they're actually nice to me! )

They are seriously such a cute bunch of guys, and I just never get sick of seeing them love Collin, and seeing how much capacity he gets to love them back. (in the manliest sense of the word, OF COURSE!) Good luck guys, we're still cheering for the Pats!