Evan was born to wrestle. According to his mom, Amy, this North Florida 119 pound champion gave the sport his all and she discovered that yes, there is some crying in wrestling.
The team’s athletic trainer called me at work about 3:30. I needed to get Colin to the emergency room as fast as possible. On the Tuesday after regionals, what was initially thought to be a shin bruise, was now a dark purple, hot, swelling, gross mass, the size of a mango, or a small eggplant.
He is responsible for that moment of intense pride. It wasn’t handed to him, it didn’t land on him when he opened the window. it did not come from me. And it gives me chills to witness the satisfaction he reaps from his own determination.
Brendan Rogers, an OPRF Wrestler 2004-2009, talks about the impact Coach Powell had on his life, especially the moment Powell gave Brendan the team state medal; Brendan was unable to wrestle team state because of a knee injury.
He’s proud of his wrestling career in high school and briefly in college. He’s also proud of the “ear” he earned. Weldon Rogers talks about Coach Powell and his own transformation as an athlete and a young man. Now a college junior, Weldon claims he went from being “garbage” as a youth wrestler to placing fourth in Illinois in 2007 at the IHSA Class AA individual state tournament for 140 pounds.
It’s not like I have a lot of extra time. So I know not to waste yours. I work about 60 hours a week. I write books, articles, essays. I do laundry, cook and occasionally walk two miles around the local track. I’m a decent sister and a good friend. And I’m a wrestling mom.
You couldn’t say I am a hyper fan because I am living out my own athleticism through my sons; I am amazed by their fitness and competitive verve, awed by their strength and agility. It is foreign to me, quite separate from who I am and who I ever wanted to be. It is completely unrelated to my youth of occasional swimming, hopscotch and excessive jump roping.
Do you know how much your child weighs down to the ounce? Do you avoid making eye contact with your child after he or she loses a match until your child approaches you? Do you find yourself wearing the school colors every day whether or not you are attending a meet or tournament?
Then you're a WMD. A Wrestling Mom or Dad.
And we'd love to hear your stories. Submit a guest column, a few photos, videos, or comments and we will publish them on the site.
breast cancer
brendan
brothers
cancer
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coaches
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Coach Powell
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Colin Rogers
high school
High school wrestling
making weight
mike powell
mom
Northwestern
oak park
Oak Park-River Forest High School
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river forest
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Wrestling Family
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Youth Wrestling
