Wreslting in June?!?!

So today was our first wrestling practice during this three week period in June that we are allowed to have sport specific practices. I had three show up, one new wrestler, and two that were with me last year; one of which made it to the state tournament.

First I would like to give kudos to the two with experience that came, these were the ones that really stood out this past year. One, did not qualify for states, but for good reason, he broke his ankle 2 weeks before the regional tournament.....he wrestled never-the-less at regionals. He was eliminated the first day of the tournament, but returned to watch his two teammates continue their quest towards medals the next day. Out of all the guys on the team eliminated, he was the only one to get up saturday morning and come back out to cheer on his fellow wrestlers....that is a teammate, a peer, a wrestler. The second guy there today was the one who did qualify for states. He finished out his season on a bum knee....he went through surger a month after the season to have his miniscus reparied because he tore the shit out of it during the season, but finished out, dealing with the pain.

Both of these two, they have a desire to win, a desire to get better, and most importantly....they want to compete. They both finished out the season with major injuries. Now they are back in June, ready to learn new moves, and better their techniques so they can both go to states, and do well next season...They both lift weights 3+ days a week and i'm sure take part in other conditioning activities.

The new guy. He is gonna make a hell of a 125-130 pounder. He is strong, dedicated, and wants to learn. He picked up the moves I taught him today quickly, and till the end of a two hour practice had several good moves. Till mid next season he will be a strong wrestler for Moorefield High.

But I did realize something today wrestling and talking with these boys. I can teach them every move I know, they can have fantastic technique; but I can't give them that desire to win. Where does that come from....do they just need to get their heads pounded in week in and out by other teams for a few seasons? Are they born without it? Can I scare it into them? Beat it into them? Why don't they just want to go out there and beat the hell out of someone....thats the point of this damn sport.........