They've been preparing for this all year long. (The Monticello match) was a little too exciting. Obviously, if you wrote a story, this is what you'd want - freshman has to get the pin to win.

The gym was packed. It was a very exciting match with both teams battling for every point. When this point was awarded, there was no cheering from the bleachers. My kids and the LaFayette kids and the fans were all silent. They couldn't believe what had happened. ... We had fought back so hard and this fourth game was so pivotal and to lose it that way was devastating.

Whatever he could do to keep busy and be a part of the team. He did whatever needed to be done. He even helped out Eric, a kid that might take his spot. I thought that showed a lot of character.

I know he thinks he didn't wrestle his best. But he's second in the state; that's got to feel good eventually.

You tell him six weeks ago that he's going to be second in the state and I doubt he'd be disappointed in that at all. We didn't even know if he was going to be able to wrestle.

Last season, we had only nine healthy kids. We hope to get quite a few kids out to the sectional meet. If things go well, we have a possibility of winning the regional, but there are a lot of quality teams.