As a freshman going to the post season wrestling in PA, no one expects anything from you. The season was coming to an end and I was gearing up for the post season. I was the third seed at districts with a senior and junior in my way. No one thought I was going to win the tournament but in my mind I had already won the tournament. Entering districts my nerves were high. I was already feeling the pressure from the atmosphere in that gym. My first match comes around and I put the kid on his back and stick him, my nerves start to calm. The second match had the same result, but now I'm in the semis. I'm so nervous I start feeling light headed. Tweet, the first whistle blows and we're off right away I fire off a shot to his leg, he defends and we are back on our feet. Tweet, The first period ends and he takes bottom, if I want to win this match he can't get off bottom. Tweet, we're wrestling. I'm using all of my strength to make sure he doesn't escape, he doesn't. Third period comes. I need to get out to win, Whistle blows I'm up on my feet and out in the first ten seconds. he has a minute to score with the last 15 seconds he's in on my leg. Using all my strength I don't let him get the takedown three, two, one. I'm onto the finals but the jobs are not finished. The kid in the finals is a state qualifier and my nerves are off the charts. The match starts, he's on my leg right away and scores. In my mind I start to get pissed off, I know I'm winning this match but I get ridden out the rest of the period. The first period ends three-zero second period comes around . It's my choice, I pick bottom in the first ten seconds I'm out. As we're wrestling I know I need a takedown, I'm deep on the leg and score. I held him down the rest of the period. Period three, same as last match I got to hold him down. It's a struggle and as he almost escapes time runs out and I'm the district champ. Next week comes quicker than I expect, I'm the third seed in this tournament winning my first match as matches are going on and I'm getting ready for my next match when the power goes out and wrestling stops. The matches got moved to the next day, As weight-ins rolled around I ate some funky causing me to be sluggish and not wrestling to the best of my ability where I ended up losing in the quarters. I had to win 5 straight to make it to the state tournament. I ended up winning 4 and losing 1. I was in the 5th/6th place match the winner went to states The kid that was in the 5th/6th place match was the same kid I lost to in the quarters. The match starts and I want my revenge but I wasn't expecting him to shoot my leg right off the bat. He locks up his hands and they give him 3 but my coach throws the brick and challenges it. They take it away, the other coaches are pissed. I get a takedown in the second and he got a reversal 3-2. Then the third period came I got out 4-2 and with him on my leg to end the match, I was going to states.

When I was in my sophomore year I was at the end of my wrestling season. I was already stressed with regionals coming the next day. Regionals was on Friday and Saturday, it was Thursday night I remember going to the gym with my dad a sister because I was over weight and my dad wanted to lift, me and my sister finish running on the treadmill so my sister asks if she can drive me and her home my dad says yes. So we both give him a hug, he tells us that he loves us and we leave. About an hour later my dad returns home saying that his chest hurts, I got scared and says he has to go to the hospital because he already has heart problems, I run up and grab my sister saying she has to take him right away. I remember being worried but knew my dad was tough, I fall asleep then at three in the morning I get woken up by my cousin saying I had to get in the car I had no idea what was happening. Me, my stepmom, and step brother were all in the car confused while my cousin is crying and tells us that my dad died. sitting there I was in shock and disbelief. I started crying not believing that he was gone. when we get there I see my aunt, uncle and wrestling coach as well as my sister crying in a chair. I couldn't even look at him I was so sad and upset. Me and my sister were pulled in a room and talked about what was going to happen next. I didn't know where I was going to live, what was going to happen but my coach asked if I was going to wrestle Tomorrow the tournament was later in the day. I said I am going to wrestle for my dad and ended up going to states. It was bitter sweet because I overcame what happened and made the state tournament but my dad wasn't there to see me do it. Some of the things I have done to help out the community and others. First off I am the captain of a wrestling team and help out my teammates when needed. I go coach little kids for wrestling during my free time because that is what was done for me when I was there age. During weekends I help out at wrestling tournaments that are run by my club setting up and helping clean up. I was the school mascot for the elementary school in the area, Greenwood elementary. I also did Friday night live which is an event that they do at the elementary school once a year. Those are some of the things that I have done to help out my community.