Hayden's National Competition

2009 W. Regional Kids/Cadet Folkstyle - 5TH PLACE
5th Place Match: Hayden (MONTANA) over Baird(NEVADA)(Fall 1:34)
RR3:Moody (UTAH) over Hayden(MONTANA) (Dec 5-2)
Round 6: Hayden (MONTANA) over Hurley (NEVADA) (Dec 7-4)
Round 5: Hayden (MONTANA) over Fisher (IDAHO) (Dec 2-1)
Round 4: Hayden (MONTANA) over () (Bye )
Round 3: Ringel (UTAH) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Dec 6-0)
Round 2: Hayden (MONTANA) over Hart (CALIFORNIA) (Fall 0:59)
Round 1: Hayden (MONTANA) over Crandall (NEVADA) (TF 10-0)
2009 W. Regionals Kids/Cadet Freestyle - DNP
Round 5: Wittlake (OREGON) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Fall 3-0,0:43)
Round 4: Moody (UTAH) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Fall 1:41)
Round 3: Hayden (MONTANA) over Robinson (ARIZONA) (Fall 0:55)
Round 2: Hayden (MONTANA) over Ingram (IDAHO) (Dec 1-0,0-3,1-0)
Round 1: Hayden (MONTANA) over Hart (CALIFORNIA) (Fall 7-0,0:45)
2009 W. Reg Kid/Cadet Greco Championship - 3RD PLACE
3rd Place Match: Hayden(MONTANA) over Fisher (IDAHO) (Dec 6-1,0-5,1-0)
Cross Bracket: Wittlake (OREGON) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Fall 6-0,0:58)
Round 6: Hayden (MONTANA) over Atnip (WYOMING) (Fall 0:53)
Round 5: Hurley (NEVADA) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Dec 4-0,1-0)
Round 4: Hayden (MONTANA) over Hansen (UTAH) (Fall 1:06)
Round 3: Hayden (MONTANA) over Farmer (IDAHO) (TF 6-0,6-0)
Round 2: Hayden (MONTANA) over Engberg (UTAH) (Fall 6-0,0:44)
Round 1: Hayden (MONTANA) over () (Bye )
ASICS USAW Kids Greco-Roman Nationals - DNP
Round 3: Yoder (Nebraska) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 7-2,3-1)
Round 2: Abeyta (Minnesota) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 2-0,6-0)
Round 1: Hayden (Montana) over Ayres (California) (Fall 1:23)
ASICS USAW Kids Freestyle Nationals - DNP
Round 3: Ramirez (California) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 3-1,3-3)
Round 2: Artalona (Florida) over Hayden (Montana) (Fall 1:45)
Round 1: Hayden (Montana) over Sierra (Arizona) (Dec 9-3,1-1,5-0)

Hayden - Triple Crowd Award

2009 MT Folkstyle State Champion
2009 MT Freestyle State Champion
2009 MT Greco State Champion
2009 MT Record (39-3)
2009 Western Regional Championships Greco 3rd Place
2009 Western Regional Folkstyle Tournament 5th Place

East Helena Junior Governor’s Cup

Hayden's most recent accomplishment as a 4th grader is being the East Helena 5K Junior Governors Cup Winner with a time of 22:26. Alyssa finished with a time of 29:22. It was my understanding that over 400 kids participated in the run. I was very proud of my kiddos!

Hayden Works To Become A Champion

Here is Hayden's tentative schedule as he prepares for this years upcoming Regional and National tournaments. Within the next couple of weeks I imagine practices will change to three days a week and we will have to strength train 2-3 days a week. Hayden is shooting for a regional and national yellow medal. These are tough goals to accomplish but i know Hayden well; he can do whatever he sets his mind to.

Alyssa's OTC Slideshow

Alyssa - 2009 Body Bar Womens' National Championship

Alyssa placed second this year at the 2009 Body Bar Womens Nationals. Video will be up soon of her matches.

Alyssa with TC Dantzler at the Olympic Training Center. (2008 US Olympian; Multiple Time US National Champion; Multiple US World Team Trials Champion)

Alyssa with Brandon Slay in Colorado Springs Airport. He was on our flight from Denver to Colorado Springs.(2000 US Olympic Champion)

Hayden - 2009 MT Greco State Champion

Enjoy Hayden's highlights of the Greco state tournament. Hayden won the Triple Crown Award this season. Triple Crown is awarded to those who place 1st at the MT State Championships in all three styles; Folk style, Freestyle, and Greco.

Hayden's accomplishments include:
USAW Greco All-American
3X AAU All-American(Folkstyle, Freestyle, Greco)
2009 MT Triple Crown Award
5X MT State Champion
2009 Record 39 wins & 3 loses

ALYSSA'S STATE HIGHLIGHTS

Alyssa sure made us proud by wrestling tough. She placed 7th in freestyle and 6th in greco. This season Alyssa has wrestled better than ever. I hope you enjoy the video as much as i did.

Alyssa's Accomplishments:

2008 USAW Women's All-American
2X AAU All-American
1X Women's Greco State Champion
2X Runner-Up USGWA MT Championships
2009 6th Place MT Greco State Championships
2009 7th Place MT Freestyle State Championships

Hayden - 2009 MT Freestyle State Champion

Hayden won his second Montana state freestyle championships on Saturday. Enjoy the highlights.

Day Before State Freestyle & Greco

Interview with Hayden the day before state freestyle & greco championships.

Alyssa's and Hayden's National Records

ALYSSA - (1-2)

Body Bar Women`s Nationals (05/17 - 05/17/2008)
3rd-6th Grade - 74-76 (4th Place)
Breanna Coronado (California) over Alyssa (Montana) (TF 7-0,7-0)
Alyssa (Montana) over Breanna Newton (Colorado) (Dec 1-1,1-0)
Talleigh Guinard (Wyoming) over Alyssa (Montana) (Fall 1:22)

HAYDEN (7-11)

Tour of America Salt Lake Slam (12/29 - 12/29/2007)
Midget - 60 lbs. (5th Place)
Taylor Lamont (Champions, Springville) over Hayden (East Helena Wrestling) (Pin 3:09)
Hayden (East Helena Wrestling) over Tom Grebe (Rocky Mountain Wrestling) (Pin 1:09)
Hayden (East Helena Wrestling) over Corbin Smith (Wasatch) (Pin 2:38)
Carsen Reinhardt (Duchesne) over Hayden (East Helena Wrestling) (Pin 1:06)
Hayden (East Helena Wrestling) over Wyatt Monroe (Payson) (Dec 7-4)

Western Kids/Cadet Freestyle 6/15-6/22 (06/22 - 06/22/2008)
MIDGET - 65 (DNP)
Max Miller (IDAHO) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Fall 1:04)
Hayden (MONTANA) over Ryan Hansen (UTAH) (TF 3-3,6-0,9-3)
Terrall Collins (WYOMING) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Dec 3-2,4-2)

Western Kids/Cadet Greco 6/15-6/22 (06/22 - 06/22/2008)
MIDGET - 65 (DNP)
Jerry Mealey (OREGON) over Hayden (MONTANA) (Fall 1:08)
Taylor LaMont (UTAH) over Hayden (MONTANA) (TF 6-0,8-0)
Hayden (MONTANA) over Elias Hernandez (IDAHO) (Fall 0:34)

USAW Asics Kids Greco Nationals (07/08 - 07/08/2008)
Midget - 65 (6th Place)
Jerry Mealey (Oregon) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 4-0,4-0)
Dominic La Joie (Michigan) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 3-0,3-1)
Taylor Lamont (Utah) over Hayden (Montana) (TF 6-0,7-0)
Hayden (Montana) over Bobby Groves (Arizona) (Fall 1:40)
Hayden (Montana) over Ryan Hansen (Utah) (Fall 6-5,1:43)

USAW Asics Kids Freestyle Nationals (07/08 - 07/08/2008)
Midget - 65 (DNP)
Max Miller (Idaho) over Hayden (Montana) (Dec 4-0,6-1)
Taylor Lamont (Utah) over Hayden (Montana) (Fall 6-0,0:52)

Why I Wrestle

"Wrestling is the most physically and psychologically grueling of sports. It is defined by effort, determined by mental and emotional discipline and unflinching in its feedback. The one-on-one combative nature of the sport and the unavoidable exhaustion experienced during workout and competitive matches combine to shine the brightest of spotlights on personal character.

No other sport reflects such a powerful correlation between work and success as wrestling.

Size, speed, strength and athleticism are God given talents. Yet, every high school in America is filled with talented athletes who lack the courage to wrestle for wrestling is individual in nature. No team performance to mix with, no slacking performance to place blame upon, no one but self to celebrate victory or grieve through defeat.

Wrestling is liberating because it is the most fair. Personal work ethic is paramount and success for athletes regardless of size is possible. In team sports, especially football and basketball, natural athleticism, size and speed take precedent when determining team members. In wrestling; diligence, effort and tenacity create a place for any athlete willing to commit to the process and not cease trying. Ultimately, there is no loss in wrestling. The only way a wrestler loses is to quit by removing himself from practice. Every coach knows wrestlers who reach astounding success through sheer force of will; who achieve success beyond their natural ability.

Wrestling guarantees opportunity for personal victory, physical exertion, extreme fatigue and humility, yet thousands of athletes stay with it through high school, college and beyond. Why? Because wrestlers find a deep significance in how the experience of wrestling defines them. When an athlete musters the self-control required to practice every day, the endurance to last the entire season, the strength of will to finish every practice and match, the integrity to engage in battle and the courage to put his win/loss record on the line every time he steps on the mat he discovers something very valuable about himself. He discovers that he is much more than the score of the match, the outcome of a call or the result of a battle. As Coach Kocher of University of Chicago points out, “wrestlers love wrestling because of what it reveals to them about themselves.”

No other sport mirrors life like wrestling. No game is experienced as personally as a wrestling match. Few sports can reach so deep into the soul of its competitors and return personal worth. There is not much glory in wrestling but there is much gain. Wrestlers replace weak bodies with strong; trade insecurity with courage, and exchange anger for honor.

Wrestlers have shown me courage, humility, tenacity and bravery.

Wrestling is a teacher and sometimes her lessons are harsh. When we step to the line for battle knowing that we can be defeated the message to self in victory is easily apparent and glorious to enjoy.

But when we seek victory and are handed defeat we are privately taught that both extremes, the ecstasy and the agony, are contrasting mirrors of the same reflection. For without risk we can never know glory. Without defeat we will never understand humility. Integrity requires that the lessons of manhood be seared on our souls by the furnace of consequence and wrestling creates consequence every day.

At any time and at every level, a wrestler’s match, tournament, or season might end in a way other than the one intended. None of us are alone or independent in that experience. Every coach has experienced the emotions of goals not met or victories never claimed. As painful and discouraging as these moments are, we are better people for having worked through those events, because nothing of value comes without cost; not career, not family, not personal relationships. Overcoming adversity in all of life’s arenas is wrestling.

Everyone who wrestles in junior high and high school achieves more than they thought possible and becomes greater through effort and discipline than they were before beginning the journey. Everyone truly engaged in any passionate endeavor does so at personal risk that gets overshadowed by development benefits that can last the rest of their lives.

When I watch young wrestlers who are not yet able to see the value of the lessons they are learning now, I ask that they remember the words of Sir Francis Bacon.

“Heaven knows how to price its goods.”

Heavenly goods like work, persistence, humor and the thousand other emotions wrestlers feel while wrestling are divine gifts that intimately belong to the person who earned them. Character does not come easily because the qualities of integrity and self assurance must be anchored in our lives. Young people who wrestle and experience the lessons taught by this great sport become good husbands and wives, compassionate fathers and mothers, successful professionals and effective citizens. They are also in the best physical condition of their lives, reach home tired at night and share this common experience with quality team mates which is why I love wrestling."

“Unless you continually work, evolve and innovate you will learn a quick and painful lesson from someone who has.”

Cael Sanderson, Olympic Gold Medalist, 4X NCAA Champion

Great Falls Video

This is all i managed to capture during our trip to Great Falls. I am kicking myself in the butt because the kids had a great folkstyle season and i don't have much to show for it. We have a little more than a month in the season and my goal is to record every match and make a video/highlight of the kids. Until then, this will have to do.

2009 Folkstyle Season Records
Alyssa: 7-9
Hayden: 19-3 (70lb State Champion)

MT AAU/USAW State Folkstyle Championships

Alyssa and Hayden competed in Great Falls this weekend. Alyssa battled harder than ever. She ended up 2-2 in the tournament. Alyssa's two wins were very tight matches and she controlled the bouts. Her first loss, she scored a take down early in the match and controlled her opponent in the first period. She was up 2-0 going into the 2nd. In the second Alyssa started on top and again controlled him up until her opponent scored with a reversal late in the 2nd period. With about 15 seconds left he came out front and locked in a cement job and pinned Alyssa with 1 second on the clock. Her second loss, 0-0 going into the 2nd period. He chose bottom. Alyssa controlled her opponent the whole 2nd period and did not allow him to score. It was 0-0 going into the 3rd and Alyssa chose bottom. In the 3rd Alyssa managed to score with an escape with 20 secs on the clock to take the lead 1-0. With 11 seconds left Alyssa went for a take down and drove him out of bounds. They had to start back in the center, both up, Alyssa leading 1-0. Her opponent dove in for a shot with about 4 seconds left, Alyssa fought hard. I saw the towel launched into the air as the clock hit 0:00. The ref awarded the kid 2 for the take down. I know the ref made a mistake. It cost Alyssa the match. This win would have locked Alyssa in for a medal. After the match Alyssa said she actually released the kid and stopped trying to defend because the towel came in. Most of the people in the crowd saw that the ref made a bad call. She wrestled tough. WATCH OUT!

Hayden wrestled tough as well. He pinned his first kids. Almost lost his second match but this time he won 5-4. He was losing 2-4 with 10 seconds left. Hayden was on top. He hit what we call "thunder" and scored a near fall (3pts) to take the lead with about 3seconds left to win the match 5-4. He won his 3rd match 7-2. Hayden was down 0-2 and came back from behind to win that one. He pinned his opponent in his 4th match. Hayden won his finals match 11-1. Hayden finished the tournament 5-0 with 2 pins. Hayden is the MT AAU/USAW State Champion.

Havre Wrestling Tournament

We traveled to Havre, MT this weekend to wrestle. This was by far in my opinion the best tournament we have wrestled in this year. Alyssa had 4 matches and Hayden had 6 matches. Alyssa ended up with a 5th place finish. She lost her first 0-7, pinned her next two opponents, and lost her 4th match in overtime. The kid in her 5th & 6th place bout forfeited. She wrestled very well. Hayden ended up with a 3rd place finish. He pinned his first opponent, lost his 2nd match 4-5 (Fact: Hayden's 3 losses this year were all lost by 1 point. All 3 matches were 4-5. We will work on this!), then he finished strong with 4 straight pins to finish with 3rd place. Most tournaments allow the 3rd place wrestler to challenge the 2nd place wrestler for true 2nd. Unfortunately, was not allowed in this tournament. This week will will prep for MT State Folkstyle Championships which will be held in Great Falls, MT next weekend.

Season Records:
Alyssa: 5-7
Hayden: 14-3

Cyclops Tournament -Butte, MT

Alyssa and Hayden traveled to Butte, MT today to compete in the Annual Cyclops Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament. There were over 600 participants ranging from MT, ID, and OR. Alyssa went 0-2. She lost her first match 1-6, and lost her second in overtime 3-5. She has really come along way. Her technique and ability is right on track, she just seems to get out muscled by them boys. Hayden went 3-0 and was crowned the tournament champion. He pinned his first opponent, the score was 22-2. His second match was against his training partner and good friend from USA Cobra in Townsend, MT. Hayden was able to squeeze out a pin late in the match. He won his finals match 15-0 and won by a tech fall. Hayden scored a total of 44 points on his opponents, allowing only 2 points to be scored against him. Both by releasing his opponent on purpose for an escape point.

Season Records
Alyssa - (3-5)
Hayden (9-2)

Bozeman Tournament

Alyssa had a tough day but wrestled great and finished with a 1-2 record. She won her first match 8-4, lost her second by pin, and lost her third 0-4. Hayden also wrestled tough and finished with a 4-1 record. Hayden lost his first match 4-5, won his next two by pins, won his fourth 12-2, and won his fifth 14-0. Hayden placed third in the tournament with his only loss to the tournament champion.

Season Records:
Alyssa (3-3)
Hayden (6-2) Hayden's two losses were by 1 pt each.

Saturday's Workout:
Hayden - 2.5 miles
Alyssa - 2.25 miles
Dad - 2 miles

Wrestling! A Challenging Lifestyle!

"Some athletes compete only against others. Champions compete with themselves." - Unknown

Some people consider what Alyssa and Hayden do.....obsessive. It reminds me of a saying, "Dedication is what lazy people call obsessed." What is it that they do? It's called WRESTLING. A sport that i picked up at around the age of 15. Prior, I had spent most of my childhood "playing" baseball, basketball, and soccer. These sports kept me active, I had fun, and i even learned a little about hard work. But it wasn't until the age of 15 that i found something more challenging than life itself..WRESTLING. Grueling workouts, bloody noses, aching muscles, and battles with opponents. All for what? A medal? Or just for the personal challenge? It is something i have not been able to answer myself. It seems that i have taught and preached values into my children that even i don't fully understand. I feel like the creator of The Hulk. They get stronger and more powerful the more and more they are tested. Let me share with you Alyssa's and Hayden's workout schedule for the last week.

Alyssa
Mon - Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Tues - 1 mile run & Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Wed - Off
Thurs - 1 mile run & Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Fri - Strength and Conditioning Workout (20 mins)

Hayden
Mon - 1 mile run & Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Tues - 1 mile run & Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Wed - Off
Thurs - 1 mile run & 30 minute jog & Wrestling Practice (1.5 hours)
Fri - Strength and Conditioning Workout (20 mins)

*Strength and Conditioning consists of approximately 30 squat thrusts, 30 push ups, 30 curls, 45 power bridges, 80 secs of wall sits, 12 ropes pulls, 22 box jumps, 60 sit ups, 40 flutter kicks, and 3 sets of forearm twists. To make it more challenging, each alternate exercise is at a different level of the house that way they have to run stairs between workouts.

Why all the work? Commitment, dedication, motivation, challenge, demand, high goals, excellence, competition, strive, win, sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, and enthusiasm.

So the next time you tell someone you "tried" or you will do your "best", think twice about what that means.

EHWC Wrestling Tournament

Alyssa (red) works a turk for the pin.

Alyssa (red) returns her opponent to the mat.

Alyssa and Hayden wrestled in their first tournament of the 2009 season. They both went 2-1 during the tournament. Alyssa won her first match by pin, second match 4-0, and lost her third by pin. Hayden won his first two matches by first period pins, and lost his third match 5-4.

Records
Alyssa 2-1 (1 pins)
Hayden 2-1 (2 pins)

Our Mini Vacation to Bozeman, MT

Hayden standing with Bill Zadick, a native of Montana, wrestled for the Iowa under Dan Gable and is a former NCAA National Champion, Freestyle National Champion, and a Freestyle World Champion. He told Hayden that he (Bill) used to wrestle for USA Cobra Oregon and was excited that Montana now has a USA Cobra. He told Hayden, "You must be tough!"


EJ, Alyssa, and Hayden with Troy Steiner. Steiner is the Asst Coach for the OSU Beavers. He also wrestled for Iowa under Dan Gable. He was a NCAA National Champion, 9 Time National Team Member, World Cup Champion, Pan-American Champion, and a 3 time Olympic Medalist for the USA.


Here EJ is with Hayden. Hayden is a 2 time State Champion, US Greco National All-American, Future NCAA National Champion, and Future Olympic Gold Medalist.


Friday afternoon we loaded up the Jeep and headed to Bozeman to watch some wrestling. Soon as we got to Bozeman the girls dropped the boys off at Bozeman High to watch a high school tournament while the girls went shopping. After a few hours of our own little free time, it was time for the main event. Michigan Wolverines vs. Oregon State Beavers! WRESTLING! Not football, not basketball, not swimming.....WRESTLING. We had the opportunity to watch some of the nation's best wrestlers strut thier stuff. We also meet with some coaches and atheletes, snapped some photos, and got a few autographs. We had a blast!