James is the director and coach of the Enid Plainsmen Little League Wrestling team this year. He and a few other dads coach over 30 boys, 90% of whom are first year wrestlers. Since it is a brand new program this year, there is a whole lot of learning going on and we have been so proud of how tough these boys are.
Jesse is wrestling on the team, of course...like James' son would get away with never trying the sport! He actually likes it. He has a pretty mean game face and shows some serious intensity and promise. When Momma is there he is nervous, so he doesn't have his head completely on the mat, but he'll get used to it the more I come. James has noticed that when moms come to wrestling practice, the boys tend to cry more and don't give it their best effort. When they have the boys alone the coaches can help toughen them up. Next year, I am going to be more diligent preseason about starting a booster club and giving us moms something to do to get involved and grow the program.
At Jesse's first tournament he won the first two matches. It was a real confidence booster for him. Today, we went to Tonkawa which was an open tourney with lots of experienced wrestlers.
It was tough, but a great learning experience.
Wrestling is in the Lichtenberger blood. I can't even try to fight it...Why would I want to?
I love that these two have something to be passionate about together and that Jesse gets to be a tough guy sometimes since he is surrounded by all 4 of us girls all the time (5 counting Francie.)
