Reflecting on a Year of Awesomeness and Looking Ahead

As I sit down to reflect on the past year and a half, my heart grows with gratitude. It's been a remarkable journey, one filled with monumental achievements and inspiring stories. From the high of celebrating a Tulsa Champion to the pride of witnessing multiple state champs, national champs, and placers. This recent journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Our wrestling room, filled with dedicated and hard-working "Hammers," has become a breeding ground for champions, and for that, I am deeply humbled.

A Testament to Hard Work and Dedication

The essence of our success lies in the sheer dedication and hard work of our athletes. Watching these kids step into the room, embracing the grind, and falling in love with the rigorous process is truly rewarding. They come with dreams and determination in their hearts, ready to put in the effort required to stand atop the podium. It’s a privilege to guide them along this path, to see them grow not just as athletes but as individuals.

Our achievements over the last year are a reflection of this unwavering commitment. From the tiniest Pee Wee, to the battle-hardened eighth graders in their last year of youth, they all have one thing in common: they love hard work. Winning is never the goal. It's something that eventually happens when kids show up and put in hard work consistently. Each athlete is on their own journey and at their own pace. But each Hammer loves the grind.

Growth Beyond the Mat

The growth I've witnessed this past year and a half goes beyond wrestling techniques and physical strength. It's about developing resilience, fostering a positive mindset, and building character. These young athletes have shown remarkable adaptability, learning to balance their rigorous training with academics and personal life.

Our "Hammers" embody more than just muscles (although they work very hard for them); they represent never giving up, of pushing boundaries, and of continuously striving for excellence. They've created an atmosphere where hard work is celebrated, where challenges are embraced, and where every setback (there are many) is viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Looking Ahead with Excitement and Ambition

Our success has set a high benchmark, but we're never satisified. Just like we ask our athletes to set goals and relentlessly pursue them, we, as coaches, have our own aspirations too.

Our continuous goal is to evolve, and always become better mentors and guides for our athletes. We are committed to studying and learning, constantly seeking ways to improve our techniques and strategies. We aim to shape our wrestling room into a model of excellence, drawing inspiration from our heroes and legends in the sport, which is why we model most of our training after Penn State and their positive mindset atmosphere.

We also recognize the importance of staying connected with our community. This year, we're placing a special emphasis on being more proactive with updates and engaging more effectively on social media. We want to share our journey, celebrate our triumphs, and showcase the incredible talent we have in our room.

Embracing New Learnings at Every Step

One of the most beautiful aspects of this journey has been the learning process, not just for our young athletes but for us coaches as well. No matter the age of the athletes or coaches in the room, there's always something new to learn, a new perspective to consider, or a new strategy to implement. This mindset of being perpetual learners has been instrumental in our success (and keeps us on our tip toes).

Our room is a dynamic space and is constantly evolving. Practices may be similar, but no practices are ever the same. We're always creating cool things, trying new techniques, and allowing our older wrestlers to learn how to lead the room.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude to every individual who has been a part of this incredible journey. To the athletes who bring their passion and energy to the mat every day, to the parents and families who offer unwavering support, to the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, and to our supportive community - thank you. Each one of you plays a vital role in making our wrestling room a place of excellence.

The journey ahead is filled with promise and potential. With our eyes set on new goals and our hearts filled with the passion to achieve them, we step into the next season ready to face whatever challenges it may bring. Here's to growing, learning, and achieving together. Let the journey continue!

--Coach Tony, Thomas, Miles, and Adam