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W+W: Winter and Wrestling

Just a quick pop in to say hi and share two photos.  I didn’t know we were going to be getting any weather in, and look what a beautiful sight I woke up to this morning:

A lovely surprise this morning

A lovely surprise this morning

And here is where we’ve been the past two days:  the Sanford Invitational wrestling tournament.  It is in southern Maine, an invitational of top teams from New England from Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.  The competition is probably at the highest level you will see in Maine.  One of our state champions from last year who IS a really good wrestler didn’t even place!   The meet last weekend at Noble and this weekend at Sanford are so competitive, that they award medals to the top six, not the usual top 4.

Usually, Camden Hills is among the top 3 or 4 teams at Sanford, but we lost 7 of 13 starters to graduation last year, and two of the remaining varsity wrestlers were unable to compete due illness/injury.  That meant we had a whopping 4 kids of 13 who had competed there before.  Still, FIVE managed to place:  four came in 5th:  James Archer, Chris Weiss, Connor Winchenbach and Jared Gilbert, (Connor is a Junior, the others are sophomores), and ELI came in 6th!  Yes, as a Freshman he PLACED at Sanford!   So we are popping proud of our boy, of all the kids who wrestled, and the entire team who came along (even the one with a bad stomach flu came down with his mom to cheer on the team as best he could) to support the wrestlers.  Way to go CHills! (short for Camden Hills Regional High School).

The critical win:  the other boy was in the lead by 8+ points, a "major decision," when Eli realized well into the final period that is was do-it-or-die.  He DID it!  And here is the result... Eli has the kid in a pin, and the ref is down looking to see if both shoulder blades are on the mat for one second.  DONE!  It is remarkable for any Freshman to medal at Sanford, and especially not in one of the major competitive weight classes (it is still difficult, but not as bad, in the extreme upper and lower weight classes as there are fewer wrestlers in the 220+ weights or the 106 and 113 pound classes).

The critical win: the other boy was in the lead by 8+ points, a “major decision,” when Eli realized well into the final period that is was do-it-or-die. He DID it! And here is the result… Eli has the kid in a pin, and the ref is down looking to see if both shoulder blades are on the mat for one second. DONE! It is remarkable for any Freshman to medal at Sanford, and especially not in one of the major competitive weight classes (it is still difficult, but not as bad, in the extreme upper and lower weight classes as there are fewer wrestlers in the 220+ weights or the 106 and 113 pound classes).  That’s the sound of mama’s buttons popping with pride!

And if there are any other wrestling moms out there, here is an article in the PenBay Pilot, a local online newspaper.

And a PS:  thank you Dorothy for asking what a Freshman is!  We have kindergarten (usually age 5), then eight “primary and middle school” grades starting at age 6.  High school is grades 9-12, and Freshman is the 9th grade, followed by Sophomore, Junior and Senior.  I’ll add that to the blog!

4 Responses to “W+W: Winter and Wrestling”

  1. Debby Harwell Says:

    Isn’t is wonderful to wake up to a surprise of all that perfect white when you weren’t expecting it. I love it the picture! Glad it’s you though and not me. Although maybe I would like one good snow for the winter down here. But just one. And now for the more important wooo whooo! Way to go Eli! And he’s only a freshman, that’s just remarkable! You better start letting out some of your garments, since there are many more years for you as a Mom to fill with pride for him! Congratulations from his southern fan!

  2. Dorothy Says:

    Lovely photo of the cold stuff and congratulations Eli!

  3. Dorothy Says:

    What exactly is a freshman? We have primary school Year 1 to year 6 and then they go to high school, year 7 to year 12 and then to University. Can you help this wondering woman?

  4. Rachel Parris Says:

    I know that both of these pictures thrill your soul! Thank you for sharing. Go Eli!