Memory Lane
The nice thing about having your own Blog is that you can write about whatever you want.
Someone on the South Jersey forum posted today about some of the all time thrilling matches that have taken place. He listed some definite classics and others added their memories. One of mine is just a little more personal and I wanted to share it. I haven't been the same since.
I'm going back about ten years now to a dual meet at Paulsboro against Delsea. Bear in mind that at the time, I was blissfully ignorant about wrestling. I couldn't tell you the difference between a take down and a feather duster. But you see, my friend had a son who was wrestling. Unfortunately my friend had a VERY difficult time watching her baby wrestle. So being the good friend that I am, I decided that I would do play by play for her even though I had no idea what I was talking about. Aren't I a good friend.
These were the days when the weight classes went in order so we were off and running right from the beginning, 103. Hunckler vs Alexander (Joe Alexander, maybe you heard of him?). I have absolutely no recollection of the first two periods other than I was in severe pain from the squeeze my friend had clamped on me. I have bruises to this day. As best I can remember it was 2-1 Alexander in the lead going into the 3rd period. I'm pretty sure they started neutral.
Then the fun started. Hunckler scored the take down. (I have the scars to prove it). But it was still early in the third. My friend, who hasn't seen one second of this match, looked me dead in my eyes and as she hyperventilated said, "he can't hold him". Each word was said as she was taking short gasping breaths in. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. All I knew was that the score was now 3-2, Hunckler. That was a good thing.
The next 2 minutes or so lasted about 3 hours. Did I mention the blood yet? Not on the mat....mine. My dear friend was now cutting off my circulation and I don't think she was breathing. She was crying, but not breathing. No stress.
Finally, with probably less than 20 seconds on the clock (thank God) I looked at her and said, "I don't know what the hell you're talking about but he's holding him.....watch...he's holding him." And during the brief seconds that ticked away, my friend watched her son "hold him" and win that match against the guy who would go on to win the State title that year. Whatever Alexander's record was....that year it was whatever and 1.
My friend and I went on to endure her son's entire career - most of which she never saw (except on tape) - and I am just now starting to physically recover. Lots of thrills and exciting matches followed (I even survived him winning Region 8) but none quite as special as that first match against Alexander. Years later I travelled with my friend to UVA (Alexander's school) to watch a meet against George Mason(Matt's alma mater) because there was a possibility that the two might meet again. 5 hours one way. But it didn't happen - Joe was injured at the time. I'm still trying to figure out why in the world I was going to subject myself to such excruciating pain again. Friendship. Ha!
So that's my "most thrilling match" story. I hope you enjoyed it - I know I did. Here's to the kids that give us those memories everyday. Thanks Matt - I wouldn't trade all my friend inflicted injuries for anything.
Someone on the South Jersey forum posted today about some of the all time thrilling matches that have taken place. He listed some definite classics and others added their memories. One of mine is just a little more personal and I wanted to share it. I haven't been the same since.
I'm going back about ten years now to a dual meet at Paulsboro against Delsea. Bear in mind that at the time, I was blissfully ignorant about wrestling. I couldn't tell you the difference between a take down and a feather duster. But you see, my friend had a son who was wrestling. Unfortunately my friend had a VERY difficult time watching her baby wrestle. So being the good friend that I am, I decided that I would do play by play for her even though I had no idea what I was talking about. Aren't I a good friend.
These were the days when the weight classes went in order so we were off and running right from the beginning, 103. Hunckler vs Alexander (Joe Alexander, maybe you heard of him?). I have absolutely no recollection of the first two periods other than I was in severe pain from the squeeze my friend had clamped on me. I have bruises to this day. As best I can remember it was 2-1 Alexander in the lead going into the 3rd period. I'm pretty sure they started neutral.
Then the fun started. Hunckler scored the take down. (I have the scars to prove it). But it was still early in the third. My friend, who hasn't seen one second of this match, looked me dead in my eyes and as she hyperventilated said, "he can't hold him". Each word was said as she was taking short gasping breaths in. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. All I knew was that the score was now 3-2, Hunckler. That was a good thing.
The next 2 minutes or so lasted about 3 hours. Did I mention the blood yet? Not on the mat....mine. My dear friend was now cutting off my circulation and I don't think she was breathing. She was crying, but not breathing. No stress.
Finally, with probably less than 20 seconds on the clock (thank God) I looked at her and said, "I don't know what the hell you're talking about but he's holding him.....watch...he's holding him." And during the brief seconds that ticked away, my friend watched her son "hold him" and win that match against the guy who would go on to win the State title that year. Whatever Alexander's record was....that year it was whatever and 1.
My friend and I went on to endure her son's entire career - most of which she never saw (except on tape) - and I am just now starting to physically recover. Lots of thrills and exciting matches followed (I even survived him winning Region 8) but none quite as special as that first match against Alexander. Years later I travelled with my friend to UVA (Alexander's school) to watch a meet against George Mason(Matt's alma mater) because there was a possibility that the two might meet again. 5 hours one way. But it didn't happen - Joe was injured at the time. I'm still trying to figure out why in the world I was going to subject myself to such excruciating pain again. Friendship. Ha!
So that's my "most thrilling match" story. I hope you enjoyed it - I know I did. Here's to the kids that give us those memories everyday. Thanks Matt - I wouldn't trade all my friend inflicted injuries for anything.
posted by truraiderfan @ 9:56 PM
2 Comments:
At 2:40 PM,
Oilman said…
I remember it well. Paulsboro won by 1 or 2 points that night. Matt's big upset was the difference. I also remember going out to the Son's that night and watching the tape of the match. In the background was Matt's uncle going absolutely crazy as the time counted down. We laughed so hard watching him. Surprised he didn't have a heart attack.
At 1:17 AM,
truraiderfan said…
Do you know I have never seen that match since. I knew Paulsboro didn't win by much that night but that Matt's match was crucial but it's honestly a blur. Something stuck with me that night and I've been hooked ever since. I was so impressed by how Matt never gave up and kept going after Joe. It didn't matter who was "supposed" to win. I gained a very healthy respect for the kids that compete in wrestling - they're a very different breed.
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