We arrived in Omaha around 11 that night, just shortly after Mom and Dad checked into the hotel. Blaise then stayed up for an hour and half anxiously waiting for Aunt Amy. I think all of us were as wired as Blaise - we were so excited to be there!
We woke up around 6:30 the next morning and headed out to the Century Link Center an hour later. I remember the first time I walked into State Wrestling as an 8th grader. The epic battles took place in Lincoln back then at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. This small town, 8th grader stepped into the arena and was in complete awe: the lights, the mats, the people, just the atmosphere in general. It was awesome! I didn't expect to feel the exact same way a decade later! But I was in awe all over again.
I took this picture the second day of State, so there aren't nearly as many wrestlers. There are so many wrestlers on the first day that you can hardly see the mats!
The sisters and Blaise.
I think Amy and I look more and more alike every day.
Please ask her how much she enjoyed sharing a hideaway bed with her big sister, her big sister's baby belly, and her nephew. We had a fun three nights of that. No, really, we did...at least I thought so. :) I loved staying up with her giggling about sisterly things.
Back to our first day at State Wrestling - Blaise did SO well for the first hour we were there I think because he was in awe, too! He sat so patiently on my lap, taking in everything. But soon, the newness wore off, so I sent him to "the zoo" with whichever gracious family member would take him.
I didn't really send him to the zoo, but it was a close second. In the hall of the Century Link Center there was an animal display. The animals actually moved when you pushed a button, which provided hours of entertainment for Blaise. Thank goodness there were 5 of us to take turns.
Blaise and Grandpa checking out the gorilla.
(The lion was my personal favorite.)
Hanging out with Uncle John at "the zoo."
"You 'da man!"
Uncle John came to see us in the stands before his first match. He told us that he had wrestled this kid earlier in the year and got beat. When I asked him by how much he smiled and said, "He pinned me." My dad captured that conversation:
The sisters and Blaise.
I think Amy and I look more and more alike every day.
Please ask her how much she enjoyed sharing a hideaway bed with her big sister, her big sister's baby belly, and her nephew. We had a fun three nights of that. No, really, we did...at least I thought so. :) I loved staying up with her giggling about sisterly things.
Back to our first day at State Wrestling - Blaise did SO well for the first hour we were there I think because he was in awe, too! He sat so patiently on my lap, taking in everything. But soon, the newness wore off, so I sent him to "the zoo" with whichever gracious family member would take him.
I didn't really send him to the zoo, but it was a close second. In the hall of the Century Link Center there was an animal display. The animals actually moved when you pushed a button, which provided hours of entertainment for Blaise. Thank goodness there were 5 of us to take turns.
Blaise and Grandpa checking out the gorilla.
(The lion was my personal favorite.)
Hanging out with Uncle John at "the zoo."
"You 'da man!"
Uncle John came to see us in the stands before his first match. He told us that he had wrestled this kid earlier in the year and got beat. When I asked him by how much he smiled and said, "He pinned me." My dad captured that conversation:
We all laughed at John's carefree attitude (except my mom who was zoning out). You can imagine our surprise, then, when John went out on the mat and started scoring points! Several times during his match, the competitive spirit came out in me, as I was jumping up and down screaming with Blaise in my arms. I heard my mom saying from behind, "Don't squeeze the baby!" I didn't...too much...
John went on to win the match which scored two teams points. I felt like it was Districts all over again - one surprise after another!
Amy and Grandma with Blaise in the car on our way to Day 2 of State Wrestling.
John wrestled his second match the next morning and, as he put it, got "Studebaked" by Studebaker (meaning he got pinned in the first period). John's final match was that evening where he put up a good fight against a wrestler from Milford, but didn't get the win. Our cheering wasn't done, though, because Valentine had six wrestlers go on to win medals, four of whom walked in the Parade of Champions on Saturday. The Valentine team was also in the running for State Champion. It was neck and neck against Madison up until the very end!
Hanging out with Uncle John before the Parade of Champions.
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John came up with a cool way to keep Blaise entertained while we waited. John had a dot on each of his hands and told Blaise to poke them. When he did, John would "beep" or "whoop" depending on which dot Blaise touched. Talk about F-U-N for a little guy...hmmm...by the looks of things, I think Uncle John had fun, too. :)
Blaise and I stayed for three of the four championship matches with Valentine wrestlers. We had to hit the road before it got too late, but we did leave knowing that Valentine had secured the State title. How awesome!
(Might I mention that Valentine scored 134 points, exactly one point more than Omaha Skutt Catholic. I'm not sure if points between Classes can be compared apples to apples, but IF they can and IF Valentine and Omaha Skutt would've been in the same Class....just sayin'....)
The banner that is now hanging in the gym at good ol' Valentine High School. The next closest one for wrestling is from 1975!
John Eric Graham, I am so proud of you. Thank you for working so hard, wrestling so hard, and taking us on one crazy ride to State Wrestling. I will never forget it!
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