Finchtastic

For several years, McKenna and I have tried to talk Garrett into wrestling.  It's McKenna's favorite sport to support at school - really - she loves it.  And every year he tells us "no".  Imagine our surprise this year when he stayed after school for wrestling practice!  First year ever wrestling and as a Freshman - he surpassed his coach's expectations!  First year for Jeff and I to go to tourneys (tournaments) and duels and we learned a lot too!

Garrett's first match of the year was at the Panguitch Invitational.  Quite a large tourney with over 30 teams from all across the state attending. 

 

 

 

His first match ever - A win!!!  He hadn't even matched off in practice yet!

 

 Thank goodness for a great photographer who has a better camera than me.  He emailed me pics at the end of the year!  All the great ones come from him - mine are the blurry long range photos!

Garrett even came home most tourney's with a medal around his neck!

 

The last home match of the year - Senior Night:

Warmups

The cheer team really love the wrestlers.  In McKenna's view - the wrestlers are the "better" boys - treating the girls with more respect on road trips and just in general at school.  Here they are exchanging gifts:

 

McKenna's last year cheering for her favorite high school sport

Garrett getting "in the zone"

The best conclusion to a year of wrestling was qualifying for State.  McKenna made her brother this sign just for him :)

I don't have any pics of Garrett's match's at state - must have been too busy cheering.  Wow is all I have to say - it's quite an impressive sight!  1A-3A in the UVU McKay Events Center!  Busy, crowded and high energy is all I have to say! 

 

In the end, Garrett finished 5th in the state.  Pretty incredible for a first year wrestler.  After Garrett would win a match through the year, folks would stop me and say - "if they only knew it was his first year and they lost to him!"  You did good Garrett, you did good!