When I was a little bit younger I remember telling my little sister Bobbi that she should pretty much do what I said because she needed to "respect her elders." Well my sister would respond by letting me know that you also need to respect your youngers as well. I have come to find out over the years that she was a lot more accurate than I first thought with that statement. I have really seen that in a big way this year with some of the guys in our freshman class.

We wrestled Adams State College this past Thursday, it was a good dual because Adams is always tough and they are another RMAC school.  We ended up winning 29-17, it was a big help that three of our guys got pins. After the dual we had the weekend off, so a few of the freshman and I decided to help out a few of our teammates with their Valentines dates (of course we could have had dates but, apparently all the ladies were playing the hard to get card with us this year, the extremely hard to get card;). So we hosted dinner at our house, turning dining room into a famous Italian retaurant (modeled slightly after Rocky's restaurant "Adrians"), and we served up some pasta, homade pizza, chicken, and of course cheese cake that I didn't make right so it kinda just flopped on the plate (it tasted ok). I had a blast goofing around with those guys.

I have learned so much this year from many of the freshman on the team. I will highlight just two for lack of space and time, but there are quite a few that have impressed me this year. The Drews (Drew E and my Cousin Drew C.) have taught me so much this year. You will be hard pressed to find two guys who enjoy life more than these two. The awesome thing, that has really impressed me is that they enjoy it through Christ. Drew E aka "The Desperado" doesn't really care too much what others think about him or what he does (he sported the worst and sweetest comb-over I have ever seen on the state medal stand), yes at times this has probably gotten him into some trouble, but what he really cares about is loving God and showing that love to others. This has had a very big impact on me. He also shares my affinity for Lord of the Rings, and showed me how to make Knoephle Soup (mmmm).

Drew C. aka DCom (my cousin) is one of the hardest working guys you will ever meet. He never complains, never brags, and always gives it his all (thanks for getting my butt in gear at the beginning of practice Drew). I know that Drew's work ethic and demeanor come from his faith. I can just see it in the way he carries himself that he just wants to please God. This has had a huge impact on me. Drew also shares my love for good food and the show HEROES. I have always wanted a little brother, to be able to "show him the ropes" so to speak, and when Drew decided to come to UNK I was so excited; what I didn't realize is how much I would learn from him. The interesting thing about the two Drews is that I have known both of them most of my life, but I feel like I have been opened up to a whole new side of them now that I am living and wrestling with them. I respect my little sister a lot and she has taught me more than she knows over the years, so I hope that I never forget to respect my youngers. Once again as I write this I am amazed with the kind of people God has used in my life.

Keenan

"You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin, to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours, closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word."

-Meriadoc Brandybuck to Frodo Baggins-