I experienced one of the most emotional days I have had in a while this past weekend. We hosted regionals, which is the qualifier for our national tournament; the top 4 placers in regionals will compete in nationals. The past 5 years of my life have been a roller coaster ride that has given me many emotional highs and lows. There have been times when I felt as if my heart was wrenched like a rusty bolt, and times when I have felt so much joy I thought I was going to burst. I have cried several times (probably shouldn't be admitting that as a wrestler?) for both reasons, the emotional highs and lows. I remember two years ago when I was watching one of my best friends Jeff wrestle in regionals and I thought he wasn't going to qualify because he was sick and didn't initially make it into the top four, then I found out he could challenge for the 4th place spot and he made it to nationals. I remember crying out of both sadness and joy within hours of each other that day, when I thought Jeff was not going to qualify and then when I found out that he would. It is a funny thing because Jeff talked in his high school senior speech about the reasons wrestling can make a guy cry (there are quite a few).
I experienced all kinds of emotions this weekend and when all was said and done, all I could think about was how unfair life is. I watched, my only fellow senior, Paul's season and college career come to an end. Paul was wrestling in his second match when his opponent pulled his knee outward in a quick motion and Paul's knee popped and in an instant his MCL was torn, he gutted out the rest of the match and won, but he was now a man on one leg. It is mind boggling to me how a person can train and wrestle and compete for six months and then in an instant it all changes. I think this might be somewhat of a reflection on life itself, I feel like life is a gift and you never know when it can change drastically and how quickly that change can come.
Paul is the only guy that I have wrestled with for the entire duration of my college career, we were roommates for four of our five years; Paul taught me how to ride a unicycle, make liver and onions, and how not to ski. I had the awesome privilege of standing next to Paul on his wedding day, and I know he will be right there for mine (well assuming I find a girl and all, I have a big nose ;) Paul is one of the toughest guys I have ever met and one of the most compassionate guys I have ever met. I know without a doubt that he would do anything for me; this is what made it hurt so bad watching his season end like it did.
In my mind Paul deserves to be a national wrestling champion, even though this did not happen for Paul I believe he is what my dad calls a "true champion". A true champion is someone who perseveres, someone who gives his all for what he believes is a good cause no matter what the outcome, someone who gets lost in his friends struggles and finds themselves in the joy of others. Paul epitomizes a true champion. So I must ask myself, why does a guy like Paul have this happen to him? One of my other best buds on the team Ryan came up to me after Paul's match and told me that it was going to be ok because God had a plan and a reason for what had just happened. What happened to Paul this past weekend is still very difficult for me to swallow (probably because I am not fully trusting God), but I couldn't agree with Ryan more.
One of my other best buds Derek didn't qualify for nationals
either. We were in the same situation, we both got 5th place and
needed the wrestlers who had beat us earlier in the day to get 3rd
so we could challenge for 4th. The guy that Derek needed to win didn't
and my guy did so I got the opportunity to challenge to go to nationals. Is it
fair that I got the opportunity and Derek didn't? Derek works his tail off to
be the best wrestler he can be and gives so much to our team. I don't know why
God is allowing me to wrestle in nationals; I definitely don't feel like I
deserve it any more than Paul or Derek. The only thing that I can come up with
is like Ryan said, God has a plan, and even though life sometimes seems like it
is not fair, when I step back and look at what God has blessed me with I
realize he has been much more than fair.
"Though here at journey's end I lie
In darkness buried deep,
Beyond all towers strong and high,
Beyond all mountains steep,
Above all shadows rides the Sun
And Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
Nor bid the Stars farewell."
-Samwise Gamgee-
I have known Paul since his birth. He and my daughter Abbie are very close friends, becuase we are also very close to John & Collen, Paul's parents. Keenan, your take on life and it's often "unfair" experiences is wise beyond your years. I have told my kids that experiencing great dissapointment during your yonger years, possibly when the consequences aren't as serious as they can be later, toughens you up for the bigger challenges ahead. How one reacts to life's bumps is the key. Keeping one's head up and looking forward has been my method, not dwelling on defeats, but looking forward to the next victory. Paul and Liz are headed for even bigger challenges. Paul is well equipped to take on the next chapters of his life. This is because he has had friends like you Keenan to grow with both mentally and spiritually. Godspeed!
Keenan,
You don't know me, but I am a long time friend of Paul and his family. I was Paul's youth leader at church and he was a youth leader for our mission trips and national gathering, so I know him almost inside out.
I was at the meet on Saturday and my heart was also broken to see Paul's career end the way it did. Your friend Ryan is very right-God always has a plan, but sometimes we just can't see it. Paul is a true champion, but you are too! I saw in your wrestling team a very true sense of caring for each other--in the wins and the losses, everyone was right beside each other cheering or consoling. What does that say about the UNK wrestling team? That you are all worthy of that championship!!
Congratulations on qualifying for nationals--Good luck and godspeed!
Judy Stukenholtz
Keenan, it has been great getting to know you and your family over the last several years. This is as much to your Dad, and Mom, as to you. The influence of the Lincoln East wrestling program on the experience of being part of the UNK wrestling team has been huge. On just the pure wrestling side of things, people should be aware that there were 4 starters out of 10 through most of the National Championship year that were from Lincoln East. I also believe that Marty McCurdy had quite a bit to do with the development of Tervel Dlagnev as a student of wrestling. Outside of wrestling, I think it would be hard to find a wrestling Coach in America more concerned with character development. Marty is really developing a legacy of next generation Coaches that will have the same qualities. All you Lincoln East guys are great!
Keenan, This is to your parents as much as it is to you. It has been great getting to know you and your family over the last several years. I would like to say a few words about the huge influence that the Lincoln East wrestling program has had on the UNK wrestling experience over the last several years. Other than the obvious talent, (4 UNK starters for most of the National Championship season, 3 All Americans from Lincoln East) plus I feel Marty McCurdy was a big influence on Tervel Dlagnev's development as a student of wrestling. But beyond that the outstanding character of that program passed with those Lincoln East wrestlers into the Loper program and really formed a foundation that in my opinion was a real strength and a joy to be associated with. Coach McCurdy, and I think Keenan's Mom Chris has alot to do with it as well, are passing on a legacy of coaches that are going to do a great job on the mats and in the area of producing fine young men. Keenan, I have no doubt you will do great job at whatever you decide to do and that as a Coach you have so many great qualities to pass on. I kind of feel like Paul sort of became an honorary Spartan, and was taken into the East family. I know he appreciates that and so do I. Thanks
Keenan,
You don't know me but I'm a former Kearney State wrestler (86-90 under Ed Scantling)...during the days of Brian Hagan, Ali Elias, etc.
To hear you and your teammate speak about God is refreshing and gives me insight to the character of the team and how well UNK has represented itself on/off the mat (wrestling, academics, God fearing). While you certainly don't represent the team, I cannot help but sense the moral fiber of the current team to be relatively well spoken of.
Best of wishes to you and the team at the national tournament.
Mitch 'The Flyin Hawaiian' Davis ;-)
Here I was looking for a blessing to send a fellow athlete and the internet led me to your page. I tried to copy and paste to a Caring Bridge web site but it would not allow. So I am asking to please send this beautiful and well written honor of your dear friends to a freshman wrestler Weston Crusselle. He was to leave on a 7 day cruise last Friday with his family. Before he could get there, God had different plans for this strong athelete. After an ermergency appendectomy they found out that Weston has Leukemia. He started his round of Chemo on Monday and steroids...yes the legal ones on Tuesday.
I believe your story and your friends are what God had intended for you to share. To build others up as hero's so that Weston will be able to do the same. Take a moment to send him a note and please share this with him. You all are hero's!
http://www.caringbridge.com/visit/westoncrusselle/
Thank you for your time, and your gift for others.
Robin Perry