November 16, 2023 • 18 mins
Follow a, true story, journey of Elton when he was a high school wrestler, and struggles with what he should do when a wrestler from another school intentionally injures his brother.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
The Advocate for Success Season 1 Episode 3, Champion
(00:04):
Produced by Elton Thomas.
Mission Advocate is a store on Etsy where you can buy apparel to express your advocacy.Shirts are designed by the producer of the Advocate for Success Podcast, Elton Thomas. Empowerment can be expressed through your apparel. Visit www.etsy.com/shop/missionadvocate
(00:33):
While I attended the Missouri School for the Blind, I participated
in many sports, like track & field, swimming, and wrestling.
My junior year, I was on the wrestling team with my older brother, Jason,
He was in the weight-class below me, which was the 145
pound weight class, I was in the 152 pound weight class.
(00:56):
Our conference was made up of blind schools from surrounding states, and at the end
of the season, all blind schools would meet at the final conference tournament to compete.
Early that season, we had a meet in Illinois, where Jason
had a match against an opponent, we will call Jackson.
In the first period, Jackson and Jason moved nonstop. Both of
(01:17):
them getting take downs, and scoring points on each other.
In the second period, Jason almost pinned Jackson, but Jackson was able to pop out of the pin.
Then Jackson took Jason down, where he was flat on his stomach, then Jackson
quickly grabbed Jason's right bicep with both hands clinched, then stood up bringing Jason's
(01:38):
arm up behind his head, his arm is not supposed to move that way.
It was an illegal arm bar called a chicken wing.
Jason let out a grueling yell, and the referee took one point away from Jackson for the illegal move.
It was hard to watch as Jackson pinned my brother with ease, because of his injury.
(01:58):
Later that evening at a social, I overheard Jackson bragging about taking a calculated risk with the chicken
wing move. He did not want to have to worry about my brother in the conference tournament.
After Jason visited the doctor, found out his muscle had been
torn, and had to sit out the rest of the season.
Sadly, it was Jason's last year to participate in the conference.
(02:22):
What happened to my brother, seemed so wrong, in so many ways. At first, I was angry,
I pictured myself getting payback for my brother, but then I realized, that will accomplish nothing.
The only way I could get Jackson to regret hurting my brother, would be to find a way to keep
him from winning the conference tournament, which means that I would have to face him, and beat him. [pause x-strong]
(02:46):
The conventional definition of the word, champion, is simply to be
the winner of a competition, who has defeated all rivals.
Another, perhaps more profound definition, is someone who fights for a cause, on behalf, of someone else.
Elton, is faced, with a dilemma.
On one hand, Elton faced little competition in the 152 pound weight class. He could
(03:10):
just forget about Jackson, and worry about his own goals of winning the conference.
Furthermore, Elton knows that Jackson is much more strong and experienced, thus, if Elton did face
Jackson in the conference tournament, it would likely result in Jackson beating Elton with little effort.
On the other hand, Elton feels he needs to do something. He tosses and turns at night,
(03:34):
remembering the match where his brother was injured. It plays like a repeated recording in his head.
Sometimes, the definition of champion, can be both meanings. To defeat a rival,
in support of a cause, on behalf of someone else. [pause x-strong]
There was a large mid season tournament at the Indiana school for the blind
(03:55):
& visually impaired. This would be my only chance to observe Jackson's wrestling style.
A wrestler from one school moved up to my weight class, he was too afraid to wrestle against
Jackson. So, Jackson only had two matches that day, so I was sure to watch both of them.
When there is a blind wrestler in a competition, they start the opponents off
(04:18):
touching hands at the fingertips, with one hand over, and one hand under.
As Jackson and the other wrestler took their stances, Jackson ducked his head and body low
below the hands. And the split second the referee blew the whistle to start, Jackson lunged
at his opponents legs, grabbing both of them in a double leg take down.
(04:39):
Jackson pulled his opponent's legs right out beneath him, as his back slammed hard against the matt.
The opponent stood up slowly, and the referee checked if he was alright to continue the match. This time, Jackson
grabbed his opponent's right wrist, and swept in to his right leg, and picked him up in a fireman's carry.
(04:59):
Jackson then proceeded to run around the outer perimeter of the ring, carrying his opponent on his shoulder.
After Jackson set him down, he then let his opponent try taking shots at his legs, and then would put
his opponent in a cross face, a move where you place your forearm across your opponent's face for control.
It appeared that Jackson was just toying with his opponent, and relishing in an easy win.
(05:24):
In the second match, Jackson started with the same stance, this time when he
dove in he picked up his opponent, while on one knee, slammed him hard,
and pinned him quickly. This was one of the fastest pins I've ever seen.
The conference tournament is just a few weeks away, at the Tennessee school for the blind, in Nashville. [pause x-strong]
(05:45):
Elton is not sure if he should try to face Jackson, at the conference tournament.
If Elton does drop the weight to the 145 pound weight class, then he may
lose the strength he needs to even have a chance of winning against Jackson. And
if Jackson wins, or even worse, injures Elton, then there would be nothing gained.
(06:05):
Perhaps, Elton should just worry about himself, which had been a suggestion from one of his teammates.
Elton imagines himself picking Jackson up & slamming him, pinning him quickly. But somehow, that fantasy does not seem fulfilling.
Elton ponders on what he truly wants to accomplish, from facing Jackson. Elton thinks to himself, "I
(06:27):
just want Jackson to understand, that it's not okay to intentionally hurt other people for personal gain.
Whether or not Elton wins or loses, Jackson will understand that his actions are noticed
by others, which will have to be good enough. Or will it? [pause x-strong]
I remember focusing on getting back into my routine after the mid season
(06:49):
tournament, which I did get first place in the 152 pound weight class.
Right after school, I would run to my dorm room, change into my running clothes, then proceed
to the basement, where we would run laps in the hall before practice, 22 laps per mile.
Our wrestling coach, Deke Edwards, would encourage us to, run with effort. To
(07:10):
run the first mile fast, then survive the second & third mile.
We would then, do situps, push-ups, & pull-ups in the wrestling room.
Then, we would do drills, and wrestle each other in matches.
I would typically stay at practice until dinner time, and then go strait to the dining hall for dinner.
(07:32):
After dinner, I would spend an hour at the library in study hall, to catch up on homework, or
study with classmates. Then after dinner I would typically go back down to the basement and run some more.
For the first couple of weeks I could not make up my mind, 152 or 145. Should I diet
(07:52):
and exercised more, or enjoy the fact that I could make the 152 pound weight class with ease.
One week before the conference tournament, I saw my brother, Jason. He was walking to
class, his books held in one arm, and his other arm in a sling. And
that's when I made my final choice, of which weight-class I would wrestle. [pause x-strong]
(08:16):
Elton attended the Missouri School for the Blind, when he was 13 years old. His public school, in Desoto, Missouri,
did not have the tools that Elton & his brother Jason needed to succeed in the classroom, with their blindness.
At first, Elton was not interested in joining any sports team, but Jason, jumped right into sports at the school.
(08:38):
Elton then eventually join the swim team, and the track team. Wrestling though, well, that just sounded too dangerous.
After school one day, Elton overheard teachers talking about the wrestling coach, Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Edwards was the only coach at the time who was blind, furthermore, he
had an incredible wrestling career, and was even in the wrestling hall of fame.
(09:02):
Elton joined the wrestling team and at his first practice, a teammate was teaching him how to do
a single leg takedown. To go down on one knee, and quickly grab one leg with both arms.
When Elton dove towards the leg, his ear hit the knee cap of his teammate. It hurt so
bad, Elton started crying, and the assistant wrestling coach brought him to the health center. It was just
(09:27):
pain, and nothing was injured. But Elton, quickly quit the team. He joined back to the team a
few weeks later, but only wanted to practice, and not compete, which was ok with the wrestling coach.
The next season, Elton's freshman year, He felt more confident, and entered his first competition. Before the match,
Mr. Edwards spoke to the opponent's coach, the the opponents coach, spoke to the opponent. When the referee
(09:53):
blew the whistle to start, Elton ran towards his opponent, swinging his arms randomly, and his opponent held
Elton back by placing his hand on his head, yes, just like how you see in the cartoons.
It was so comical, Jason told Elton after the match, but everyone was proud of him,
for taking that first step in becoming a competitor. Elton did win two matches that season.
(10:19):
Elton's sophomore year he got discouraged and quit the team, he just decided to stop going to practice.
Mr. Edwards went up to Elton's dorm room, sat at the foot of his bed, and told Elton
that he has to learn how not to give up on things, because they are hard.
Mr. Edwards would share his story from time to time, about how he lost his vision when he was
(10:42):
15 years old. He lived on a farm, a shotgun went off and got him in the face. Elton
noticed that Mr. Edwards would always say, thank Goodness the only thing I lost was my vision. Many people
would likely say, I lost my vision, my life, is over. Elton, finds Mr. Edwards outlook on life, profound.
(11:03):
Elton, also learned about sportsmanship from Mr. Edwards, that it's all about how you define, winning.
Nashville Tennessee, the evening before the conference tournament,
I step up on to the single beam scale. The referee slides the gauge back
and fourth, until it balances. He then writes down a number in the book, and
(11:26):
announces, one forty-four and a half, you will wrestle the 145 pound weight-class.
As I walked away from the scale, my stomach started rumbling, a lot. Truly,
this is what it must feel like to have butterflies in the stomach. Or
perhaps, I was starving from dropping weight, and needed to get some dinner.
(11:46):
At dinner, my teammates wished me luck. They were not sure, if I would actually go
through with dropping to Jackson's weight-class. But they were in full support with my decision.
That evening there was a social. As I walked around, some members of other teams began talking
to me. They said they heard about me dropping to Jackson's weight-class, and hope that I teach
(12:10):
him a lesson. Even a member of his own team, described him as a bully.
They somehow felt that I was standing up, for them.
The following morning, I had a banana & orange juice for breakfast. That was my typical competition day start. The
breakfast hall was eerily silent. You could tell that everyone had their matches for the day on their mind.
(12:36):
The competition started shortly after breakfast. My first match was not until mid morning due to the
lack of competitors in my weight class. About 15 minutes before my first match, I did my
typical warmup by jump-roping. I made the pin close to the end of the first period.
I warmed up for my second match right before lunch, again, I
(12:59):
made the pin close to the end of the first period.
I decided not to watch any of Jackson's matches that day. I already
had my strategy worked out, and did not want to second guess myself.
My competitor in the semifinal was a bit tougher, and I made the pin about half-way through the second period.
Late that afternoon were the final matches. I watched each weight-class as they
(13:24):
moved up to mine. Then they made the announcement, Jackson verses Elton.
I put down my jump-rope and walked to the center of the mat while snapping my headgear
in place. Jackson and I did a quick hand-shake, and took our stances while touching fingertips.
Jackson took a staggard stance, similar to a running stance, with his head low. I took
(13:46):
a square stance with both legs right in front of him, with my head held high.
The referee asked us if we were ready, and we both-said yes. The referee, looked at me in
my vulnerable stance and said, are you sure you are ready, and I said, yes I am.
The split second the whistle blew, Jackson dropped and lunged at my legs. At the exact same time, I jumped
(14:11):
upward kicking both my legs out from him. He missed my legs and I was able to spin in the
air behind him, and got the first take down. Jackson then, stepped away from me, then turned and faced me.
As we stood face-to-face trying to trip and throw each other, I dangled my right arm,
and Jackson immediately grabbed it, dropped to pick me up in a fireman's carry. He then
(14:35):
proceeded to carry me around the perimeter of the mat. He then dropped to one knee
to try and slam me, but I was able to get out of it.
I remember thinking to myself, do not let him get behind you. A few more times he
lunged at me, and I was able to evade and get behind him. He picked me up
another time towards the end of the first period, and carried me around the perimeter of the
(15:00):
mat, and I was able to get out of it before he slammed me again.
In the second period, I did not do the square stance again, but did do a southpaw stance
to try and throw him off. A southpaw stance, is like the staggard stance, only the right foot
is in front instead of the left foot. At the whistle, he reached down to grab my right
(15:22):
leg, and at the exact same time, I switched legs, cross-faced him, and was able to get behind
him for another takedown. I was able to break him down to his stomach, and tried to turn
him to his back with a half-nelson, but he was too powerful and got out of it.
Jackson then stood up and faced me, he picked me up again with a fireman's carry, and carried me around
(15:46):
the perimeter of the mat. I could hear him breathing heavily in exhaustion. And then the period was over.
In the third and final period, the referee blew the whistle, and this time, Jackson just stood there. I
thought about shooting in for a single leg, but then decided not-to. Mr. Edwards had taught me that the
(16:06):
second most used move to a take down to a single leg, is a counter to a single leg.
I dangled my right arm again, and in a fury, Jackson picked me up in another fireman's carry, only this
time he ran to the edge of the mat, and threw me towards my team's cheerleaders. I landed on my
head, and rolled over to my back. The referee held up some fingers and asked me how many he was
(16:31):
holding up. I told him that since I was blind could not tell, so he let me continue.
The split second the referee told us to start, Jackson lunged at my legs again, and again I was able
to evade and get behind him for a takedown. The referee then blew the whistle and stopped that match.
I was confused as the referee had us stand side-by-side, then held up my hand as if
(16:57):
I won the match. I walked to my coach, and he said congratulations. Then I asked what
happened. Then Mr. Edwards asked me how hard I hit my head, and that I won the
match by the ten point rule, Jackson scored 3 points, and I had 13 points. [pause x-strong]
At the awards ceremony later that evening, Elton received the medal
(17:19):
for first place, and Jackson received the medal for second place.
Afterwards, Jackson approached Elton, and shook his hand. Jackson then asked, how did you beat me?
Elton then answered, I let you pick me up until you became exhausted, and I avoided doing risky moves on
you. But to be honest, if you would had not hurt my brother, you probably would have won this conference,
(17:42):
and you need to stop being a bully to your peers, as they will never forget how you treat them.
It was at this moment, that Elton truly felt like a champion. You would think that Elton
would had felt like a champion when he won the final match against Jackson, however, Elton did
not compete here to win the conference, he competed to win his brother's honor, and discovered that
(18:04):
he won the honor of everyone that Jackson had bullied, and most importantly, he earned the honor
of Jackson himself, who became a more respectable wrestler, from that day forward.
The Advocate for Success Season 1 Episode 3, Champion
(00:04):
Produced by Elton Thomas.
Mission Advocate is a store on Etsy where you can buy apparel to express your advocacy.Shirts are designed by the producer of the Advocate for Success Podcast, Elton Thomas. Empowerment can be expressed through your apparel. Visit www.etsy.com/shop/missionadvocate
(00:33):
While I attended the Missouri School for the Blind, I participated
in many sports, like track & field, swimming, and wrestling.
My junior year, I was on the wrestling team with my older brother, Jason,
He was in the weight-class below me, which was the 145
pound weight class, I was in the 152 pound weight class.
(00:56):
Our conference was made up of blind schools from surrounding states, and at the end
of the season, all blind schools would meet at the final conference tournament to compete.
Early that season, we had a meet in Illinois, where Jason
had a match against an opponent, we will call Jackson.
In the first period, Jackson and Jason moved nonstop. Both of
(01:17):
them getting take downs, and scoring points on each other.
In the second period, Jason almost pinned Jackson, but Jackson was able to pop out of the pin.
Then Jackson took Jason down, where he was flat on his stomach, then Jackson
quickly grabbed Jason's right bicep with both hands clinched, then stood up bringing Jason's
(01:38):
arm up behind his head, his arm is not supposed to move that way.
It was an illegal arm bar called a chicken wing.
Jason let out a grueling yell, and the referee took one point away from Jackson for the illegal move.
It was hard to watch as Jackson pinned my brother with ease, because of his injury.
(01:58):
Later that evening at a social, I overheard Jackson bragging about taking a calculated risk with the chicken
wing move. He did not want to have to worry about my brother in the conference tournament.
After Jason visited the doctor, found out his muscle had been
torn, and had to sit out the rest of the season.
Sadly, it was Jason's last year to participate in the conference.
(02:22):
What happened to my brother, seemed so wrong, in so many ways. At first, I was angry,
I pictured myself getting payback for my brother, but then I realized, that will accomplish nothing.
The only way I could get Jackson to regret hurting my brother, would be to find a way to keep
him from winning the conference tournament, which means that I would have to face him, and beat him. [pause x-strong]
(02:46):
The conventional definition of the word, champion, is simply to be
the winner of a competition, who has defeated all rivals.
Another, perhaps more profound definition, is someone who fights for a cause, on behalf, of someone else.
Elton, is faced, with a dilemma.
On one hand, Elton faced little competition in the 152 pound weight class. He could
(03:10):
just forget about Jackson, and worry about his own goals of winning the conference.
Furthermore, Elton knows that Jackson is much more strong and experienced, thus, if Elton did face
Jackson in the conference tournament, it would likely result in Jackson beating Elton with little effort.
On the other hand, Elton feels he needs to do something. He tosses and turns at night,
(03:34):
remembering the match where his brother was injured. It plays like a repeated recording in his head.
Sometimes, the definition of champion, can be both meanings. To defeat a rival,
in support of a cause, on behalf of someone else. [pause x-strong]
There was a large mid season tournament at the Indiana school for the blind
(03:55):
& visually impaired. This would be my only chance to observe Jackson's wrestling style.
A wrestler from one school moved up to my weight class, he was too afraid to wrestle against
Jackson. So, Jackson only had two matches that day, so I was sure to watch both of them.
When there is a blind wrestler in a competition, they start the opponents off
(04:18):
touching hands at the fingertips, with one hand over, and one hand under.
As Jackson and the other wrestler took their stances, Jackson ducked his head and body low
below the hands. And the split second the referee blew the whistle to start, Jackson lunged
at his opponents legs, grabbing both of them in a double leg take down.
(04:39):
Jackson pulled his opponent's legs right out beneath him, as his back slammed hard against the matt.
The opponent stood up slowly, and the referee checked if he was alright to continue the match. This time, Jackson
grabbed his opponent's right wrist, and swept in to his right leg, and picked him up in a fireman's carry.
(04:59):
Jackson then proceeded to run around the outer perimeter of the ring, carrying his opponent on his shoulder.
After Jackson set him down, he then let his opponent try taking shots at his legs, and then would put
his opponent in a cross face, a move where you place your forearm across your opponent's face for control.
It appeared that Jackson was just toying with his opponent, and relishing in an easy win.
(05:24):
In the second match, Jackson started with the same stance, this time when he
dove in he picked up his opponent, while on one knee, slammed him hard,
and pinned him quickly. This was one of the fastest pins I've ever seen.
The conference tournament is just a few weeks away, at the Tennessee school for the blind, in Nashville. [pause x-strong]
(05:45):
Elton is not sure if he should try to face Jackson, at the conference tournament.
If Elton does drop the weight to the 145 pound weight class, then he may
lose the strength he needs to even have a chance of winning against Jackson. And
if Jackson wins, or even worse, injures Elton, then there would be nothing gained.
(06:05):
Perhaps, Elton should just worry about himself, which had been a suggestion from one of his teammates.
Elton imagines himself picking Jackson up & slamming him, pinning him quickly. But somehow, that fantasy does not seem fulfilling.
Elton ponders on what he truly wants to accomplish, from facing Jackson. Elton thinks to himself, "I
(06:27):
just want Jackson to understand, that it's not okay to intentionally hurt other people for personal gain.
Whether or not Elton wins or loses, Jackson will understand that his actions are noticed
by others, which will have to be good enough. Or will it? [pause x-strong]
I remember focusing on getting back into my routine after the mid season
(06:49):
tournament, which I did get first place in the 152 pound weight class.
Right after school, I would run to my dorm room, change into my running clothes, then proceed
to the basement, where we would run laps in the hall before practice, 22 laps per mile.
Our wrestling coach, Deke Edwards, would encourage us to, run with effort. To
(07:10):
run the first mile fast, then survive the second & third mile.
We would then, do situps, push-ups, & pull-ups in the wrestling room.
Then, we would do drills, and wrestle each other in matches.
I would typically stay at practice until dinner time, and then go strait to the dining hall for dinner.
(07:32):
After dinner, I would spend an hour at the library in study hall, to catch up on homework, or
study with classmates. Then after dinner I would typically go back down to the basement and run some more.
For the first couple of weeks I could not make up my mind, 152 or 145. Should I diet
(07:52):
and exercised more, or enjoy the fact that I could make the 152 pound weight class with ease.
One week before the conference tournament, I saw my brother, Jason. He was walking to
class, his books held in one arm, and his other arm in a sling. And
that's when I made my final choice, of which weight-class I would wrestle. [pause x-strong]
(08:16):
Elton attended the Missouri School for the Blind, when he was 13 years old. His public school, in Desoto, Missouri,
did not have the tools that Elton & his brother Jason needed to succeed in the classroom, with their blindness.
At first, Elton was not interested in joining any sports team, but Jason, jumped right into sports at the school.
(08:38):
Elton then eventually join the swim team, and the track team. Wrestling though, well, that just sounded too dangerous.
After school one day, Elton overheard teachers talking about the wrestling coach, Mr. Edwards.
Mr. Edwards was the only coach at the time who was blind, furthermore, he
had an incredible wrestling career, and was even in the wrestling hall of fame.
(09:02):
Elton joined the wrestling team and at his first practice, a teammate was teaching him how to do
a single leg takedown. To go down on one knee, and quickly grab one leg with both arms.
When Elton dove towards the leg, his ear hit the knee cap of his teammate. It hurt so
bad, Elton started crying, and the assistant wrestling coach brought him to the health center. It was just
(09:27):
pain, and nothing was injured. But Elton, quickly quit the team. He joined back to the team a
few weeks later, but only wanted to practice, and not compete, which was ok with the wrestling coach.
The next season, Elton's freshman year, He felt more confident, and entered his first competition. Before the match,
Mr. Edwards spoke to the opponent's coach, the the opponents coach, spoke to the opponent. When the referee
(09:53):
blew the whistle to start, Elton ran towards his opponent, swinging his arms randomly, and his opponent held
Elton back by placing his hand on his head, yes, just like how you see in the cartoons.
It was so comical, Jason told Elton after the match, but everyone was proud of him,
for taking that first step in becoming a competitor. Elton did win two matches that season.
(10:19):
Elton's sophomore year he got discouraged and quit the team, he just decided to stop going to practice.
Mr. Edwards went up to Elton's dorm room, sat at the foot of his bed, and told Elton
that he has to learn how not to give up on things, because they are hard.
Mr. Edwards would share his story from time to time, about how he lost his vision when he was
(10:42):
15 years old. He lived on a farm, a shotgun went off and got him in the face. Elton
noticed that Mr. Edwards would always say, thank Goodness the only thing I lost was my vision. Many people
would likely say, I lost my vision, my life, is over. Elton, finds Mr. Edwards outlook on life, profound.
(11:03):
Elton, also learned about sportsmanship from Mr. Edwards, that it's all about how you define, winning.
Nashville Tennessee, the evening before the conference tournament,
I step up on to the single beam scale. The referee slides the gauge back
and fourth, until it balances. He then writes down a number in the book, and
(11:26):
announces, one forty-four and a half, you will wrestle the 145 pound weight-class.
As I walked away from the scale, my stomach started rumbling, a lot. Truly,
this is what it must feel like to have butterflies in the stomach. Or
perhaps, I was starving from dropping weight, and needed to get some dinner.
(11:46):
At dinner, my teammates wished me luck. They were not sure, if I would actually go
through with dropping to Jackson's weight-class. But they were in full support with my decision.
That evening there was a social. As I walked around, some members of other teams began talking
to me. They said they heard about me dropping to Jackson's weight-class, and hope that I teach
(12:10):
him a lesson. Even a member of his own team, described him as a bully.
They somehow felt that I was standing up, for them.
The following morning, I had a banana & orange juice for breakfast. That was my typical competition day start. The
breakfast hall was eerily silent. You could tell that everyone had their matches for the day on their mind.
(12:36):
The competition started shortly after breakfast. My first match was not until mid morning due to the
lack of competitors in my weight class. About 15 minutes before my first match, I did my
typical warmup by jump-roping. I made the pin close to the end of the first period.
I warmed up for my second match right before lunch, again, I
(12:59):
made the pin close to the end of the first period.
I decided not to watch any of Jackson's matches that day. I already
had my strategy worked out, and did not want to second guess myself.
My competitor in the semifinal was a bit tougher, and I made the pin about half-way through the second period.
Late that afternoon were the final matches. I watched each weight-class as they
(13:24):
moved up to mine. Then they made the announcement, Jackson verses Elton.
I put down my jump-rope and walked to the center of the mat while snapping my headgear
in place. Jackson and I did a quick hand-shake, and took our stances while touching fingertips.
Jackson took a staggard stance, similar to a running stance, with his head low. I took
(13:46):
a square stance with both legs right in front of him, with my head held high.
The referee asked us if we were ready, and we both-said yes. The referee, looked at me in
my vulnerable stance and said, are you sure you are ready, and I said, yes I am.
The split second the whistle blew, Jackson dropped and lunged at my legs. At the exact same time, I jumped
(14:11):
upward kicking both my legs out from him. He missed my legs and I was able to spin in the
air behind him, and got the first take down. Jackson then, stepped away from me, then turned and faced me.
As we stood face-to-face trying to trip and throw each other, I dangled my right arm,
and Jackson immediately grabbed it, dropped to pick me up in a fireman's carry. He then
(14:35):
proceeded to carry me around the perimeter of the mat. He then dropped to one knee
to try and slam me, but I was able to get out of it.
I remember thinking to myself, do not let him get behind you. A few more times he
lunged at me, and I was able to evade and get behind him. He picked me up
another time towards the end of the first period, and carried me around the perimeter of the
(15:00):
mat, and I was able to get out of it before he slammed me again.
In the second period, I did not do the square stance again, but did do a southpaw stance
to try and throw him off. A southpaw stance, is like the staggard stance, only the right foot
is in front instead of the left foot. At the whistle, he reached down to grab my right
(15:22):
leg, and at the exact same time, I switched legs, cross-faced him, and was able to get behind
him for another takedown. I was able to break him down to his stomach, and tried to turn
him to his back with a half-nelson, but he was too powerful and got out of it.
Jackson then stood up and faced me, he picked me up again with a fireman's carry, and carried me around
(15:46):
the perimeter of the mat. I could hear him breathing heavily in exhaustion. And then the period was over.
In the third and final period, the referee blew the whistle, and this time, Jackson just stood there. I
thought about shooting in for a single leg, but then decided not-to. Mr. Edwards had taught me that the
(16:06):
second most used move to a take down to a single leg, is a counter to a single leg.
I dangled my right arm again, and in a fury, Jackson picked me up in another fireman's carry, only this
time he ran to the edge of the mat, and threw me towards my team's cheerleaders. I landed on my
head, and rolled over to my back. The referee held up some fingers and asked me how many he was
(16:31):
holding up. I told him that since I was blind could not tell, so he let me continue.
The split second the referee told us to start, Jackson lunged at my legs again, and again I was able
to evade and get behind him for a takedown. The referee then blew the whistle and stopped that match.
I was confused as the referee had us stand side-by-side, then held up my hand as if
(16:57):
I won the match. I walked to my coach, and he said congratulations. Then I asked what
happened. Then Mr. Edwards asked me how hard I hit my head, and that I won the
match by the ten point rule, Jackson scored 3 points, and I had 13 points. [pause x-strong]
At the awards ceremony later that evening, Elton received the medal
(17:19):
for first place, and Jackson received the medal for second place.
Afterwards, Jackson approached Elton, and shook his hand. Jackson then asked, how did you beat me?
Elton then answered, I let you pick me up until you became exhausted, and I avoided doing risky moves on
you. But to be honest, if you would had not hurt my brother, you probably would have won this conference,
(17:42):
and you need to stop being a bully to your peers, as they will never forget how you treat them.
It was at this moment, that Elton truly felt like a champion. You would think that Elton
would had felt like a champion when he won the final match against Jackson, however, Elton did
not compete here to win the conference, he competed to win his brother's honor, and discovered that
(18:04):
he won the honor of everyone that Jackson had bullied, and most importantly, he earned the honor
of Jackson himself, who became a more respectable wrestler, from that day forward.
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