One More Step!

One More Step!

 

 

Wrestling Coaches and Coaches in general typically seem to be more tuned into "Motivational Quotes and/or Sayings," it's just part of what we do!  So not too long ago I came across a quote that really seemed to fit the renewed goals of the West Iredell Wrestling Program.

 

It goes something like this: "The Journey of a Thousand miles begins with One Step!"  Although I must admit that it sounds more profound than motivating, stay with me as I let you in on a little secret.

 

 Soon after our second event of the season (The Raider-Viking Duals) I thought it was necessary to take a look at our TEAM Goals and possibly change them. 

 

At first our goal was to Qualify for the State Dual Meet Championships by placing in the Top 2 in our Conference ( It's still our Goal!).  First, you have to know that the Top 2 Teams in the Conference get an automatic bid into the State Dual Meet Championships.  So what could WE possibly change?  Simply, what we changed was to turn our Focus on Winning the Conference Championship rather than just be satisfied with placing in the Top 2.

 

Please keep in mind that for our program These Goals are HUGE! 

 

Moving right along….

 

Next, WE created a simple Poster that showed ALL of our Conference opponents and when we'd wrestle them and alongside that was….Step 1, 2, 3…. You get the idea!

 

As a Coaching Staff we knew that this would be incredibly tough!  So, I thought it was necessary to let the TEAM know just how tough it would be.  I said, "Listen….WE can either be 5^th in the Conference – because every one of the teams we face has the ability to beat us – Or WE can be Conference Champions – Which One do YOU want to Focus on?"  I am sure you can imagine that our boys gave a resounding "Conference Champions" – response! 

 

So what do you do as a Coaching Staff and as a Team to get ready for Achieving such a great goal?

 

Answer:  You simply Focus on "One Step at a Time!"

 

One Match – One Period – One Shot – ONE STEP!

 

This past Friday, however, we would be tested and tested BIG TIME!

 

As Friday rolled around we had already logged in some great practice time and seemed to have some great momentum of just sound focus, enthusiasm and determination.  However, so did East Rowan!

 

East Rowan is one of those teams who always seem to come ready to wrestle.  They are well-coached, disciplined and know how to wrestle tough!  West Iredell had NOT defeated East Rowan in well over 5 years.  Nonetheless, what happened on Friday was monumental for our Program.  It was a "Step" that WE all made together as a Team and it was HUGE!

 

After starting the match at 112lbs. East Rowan was up 6-0, then 10-0…. We knew it was going to be a Hard-Fought Battle to the End and WE know it will more than likely be that way for the rest of our Conference Schedule. 

 

Anyway, we continued to wrestle and the crowd got more and more into it!  As we approached our Heavy Weight match with Josh Fields (who actually weighs 215lbs.) we knew that the ONLY way we could win was to have Josh PIN his opponent.

 

This was the first time I'd had ever witnessed Josh display a look of "Pressure" on his face.  After much pushing and shoving there was a quick equipment timeout for Josh's headgear that got ripped right off his head.  WE quickly used the opportunity to Coach Josh as we fastened his headgear securely back on his head and watched Josh follow his coaching to the letter.

 

With a quick push and then an "Intense" snap down… Josh took advantage of his opponents position and drove him straight to his back!  WE knew that if Josh could pin his opponent we would win by the slimmest of margins. 

 

As the sounds in the gym started to swell I noticed from the stands that most of the HOME crowd (our fans) were leaning forward as they continued to shout at the top of their lungs.  Seconds seemed like minutes as Josh adjusted his position to try and secure a pin for his Team.  Soon there was no light between his opponents back and the mat.  The referee brought his hand up to the sky (it seemed to move in slow motion to me) and quickly came down and slapped the mat!  With a deafening rush of sound WE knew we had just won – WE knew we had been Successful in making a "STEP" towards our goals and dreams…. To be Conference Champions!

 

WE began to chant….

 

"One More Step!... One More Step!... One More Step!... One More Step!...!"

 

Today WE continue our Focus for "Just One More Step!"

 

Please Cheer US on as we work diligently to make it happen one step at a time!

 

p.s.  Oh, one more thing…. The score of our Win against East Rowan was….

 

West Iredell = 39

East Rowan =  38

 

Sincerely with Enthusiasm,

 

Coach Tommy Pavia

 

p.s.s.  I hope you plan on being at our last HOME match of the season as we take on North Iredell ( Returning Conference Team Champs!)  Jan. 28^th, 2011 – 6:30pm Friday!