Klimara Disrespected

[Jaguar]

This is my last word on this, as today is all about all of the wrestlers wrestling down in Champaign. I have communicated with the Klimara's, and they are good people and have stayed out of the fray. Let's wish all the wrestlers the best today. It will be a day of some great wrestling!

[Big Mat]

I sincerly doubt that Eddie had anything to do with the whining on this thread. I got to know Eddie and his parents over the summer and they are all class acts. It is sad that you would change your opinion of him because of things others post. I wish all the wrestlers good luck this weekend the only ones I will pull for are my son and his teammates.

Eddie is a fine young man. I didn't chage my opinion of him, he is still a fine young man. I changed my opinion on who I would like to see win the 103 pound weight class in AAA, and that would be the kid from West Aurora. That doesn't mean he will win!!! Good luck to all the wrestlers today.

[next]

Sir, you have done nothing wrong. The story was the biggest story of the weekend, and received the attention it should have. Your son wrestled a great match, and beat a great wrestler. There is no shame in that. Had that video not been posted everyone would have said, your son caught Eddie in a move and pinned a him. Your son didn't catch him in a move, and he turned him twice in the second period.

Finally, your son doesn't have a traditional style, and that is what makes him good. Tell him to wrestle his style, and good luck at the state meet this week.

p.s. - a week ago I would have pulled for Eddie to win the state championship, but after all this noise I will be pulling for your son to win it all.

I sincerly doubt that Eddie had anything to do with the whining on this thread. I got to know Eddie and his parents over the summer and they are all class acts. It is sad that you would change your opinion of him because of things others post. I wish all the wrestlers good luck this weekend the only ones I will pull for are my son and his teammates.

[Videosurfer]

Jaguar, when I saw your son handle the win with cass, it reflected on you. You are raising a man...and that is what fathers are supposed to do. The folks who do not ike the video because it reminds them of something uncomfortable are beyond silly and do Eddie no favors.

Learning to live with disappointment is part of life. You can't teach those people who disagree, so heck with them. Keep on keepin' on.

[FoxesFan]

A message to the Boys

Nicholas and Jonathan:

Hopefully you've heard this before. You've got a great dad. A special and unique man with wisdom and perspective. You are at an age where most guys think they know more than Dad. If you ever start thinking that, just go back over how he's handled this. You are truly blessed. Jaguar, maybe people may forget 'the match' but I doubt that they will soon forget what a class guy you are.

I can't believe this is still going. To be honest, someone from "Eddie's camp" did pmail me and ask me to take the video off the front page. I didn't put it there, and I do not have access to take it off. I copied the Admin on the request and also indicated that I was ok with him taking it off the front page. It has been nothing but a distraction for my son with everyone constantly talking to him about it. The fact that it is still there is not my doing.

The only thing I moderate on this website is the message boards, and I try to stay neutral and true to the Admin's rules on use of the message boards. I try to take a hands off approach unless it is clear that something is inappropriate or has violated the rules. I am sensitive to conflicts of interest as a part of my profession so when something involves me, I try to stay out of it and let others handle it, and this is one of those times.

In truth, I would rather my kids be under the radar. I don't think it helps them to be in the spotlight or under a microscope. I thought about taking the video off of YouTube, but then thought of it made me mad. I put it there for friends and family, just like the other videos I put there. Why should I not share it? It was a signicant achievement. If Eddie was just a good wrestler, even a great wrestler, it would not be such a big deal; but he is the best wrestler at the weight. That says alot more about Eddie than my son, who has never achieved anything close to what Eddie has accomplished; but we are proud of what he has achieved. Most of all, we are proud that he wrestles; that he steps back out on the mat after every loss and wrestles as hard as he did before; that he takes the losses with the wins and keeps trying to get better; that he did not give up in that match when he was down 9-2 after only the first period, against the best guy in the state, and he wrestled as hard and as determined as when it was no score after the first whistle.

One of the toughest and most compelling things about wrestling is that a wrestler is all alone out there in the middle of the mat, win or lose. If someone posted a video of a Hail Mary pass to win a football game for an underdog team, and it ended up on the front page of illinoisfootball.com, no one would be claiming that it was disrespectful to the other team. It is the same thing here, except it involves an individual, not a team. But that is wrestling. A wrestler wins or loses all alone on the center of a mat. I dare say my son has experienced far more of the losing part than Eddie has. It is what it is - a great underdog story. That is all. It will likely be forgotten after this weekend (if everyone let's it go softly).

[Big Mat]

Good Luck to your son and Eddie - Luck = Preperation + Opportunity

I can't believe this is still going. To be honest, someone from "Eddie's camp" did pmail me and ask me to take the video off the front page. I didn't put it there, and I do not have access to take it off. I copied the Admin on the request and also indicated that I was ok with him taking it off the front page. It has been nothing but a distraction for my son with everyone constantly talking to him about it. The fact that it is still there is not my doing.

The only thing I moderate on this website is the message boards, and I try to stay neutral and true to the Admin's rules on use of the message boards. I try to take a hands off approach unless it is clear that something is inappropriate or has violated the rules. I am sensitive to conflicts of interest as a part of my profession so when something involves me, I try to stay out of it and let others handle it, and this is one of those times.

In truth, I would rather my kids be under the radar. I don't think it helps them to be in the spotlight or under a microscope. I thought about taking the video off of YouTube, but then thought of it made me mad. I put it there for friends and family, just like the other videos I put there. Why should I not share it? It was a signicant achievement. If Eddie was just a good wrestler, even a great wrestler, it would not be such a big deal; but he is the best wrestler at the weight. That says alot more about Eddie than my son, who has never achieved anything close to what Eddie has accomplished; but we are proud of what he has achieved. Most of all, we are proud that he wrestles; that he steps back out on the mat after every loss and wrestles as hard as he did before; that he takes the losses with the wins and keeps trying to get better; that he did not give up in that match when he was down 9-2 after only the first period, against the best guy in the state, and he wrestled as hard and as determined as when it was no score after the first whistle.

One of the toughest and most compelling things about wrestling is that a wrestler is all alone out there in the middle of the mat, win or lose. If someone posted a video of a Hail Mary pass to win a football game for an underdog team, and it ended up on the front page of illinoisfootball.com, no one would be claiming that it was disrespectful to the other team. It is the same thing here, except it involves an individual, not a team. But that is wrestling. A wrestler wins or loses all alone on the center of a mat. I dare say my son has experienced far more of the losing part than Eddie has. It is what it is - a great underdog story. That is all. It will likely be forgotten after this weekend (if everyone let's it go softly).

Sir, you have done nothing wrong. The story was the biggest story of the weekend, and received the attention it should have. Your son wrestled a great match, and beat a great wrestler. There is no shame in that. Had that video not been posted everyone would have said, your son caught Eddie in a move and pinned a him. Your son didn't catch him in a move, and he turned him twice in the second period.

Finally, your son doesn't have a traditional style, and that is what makes him good. Tell him to wrestle his style, and good luck at the state meet this week.

p.s. - a week ago I would have pulled for Eddie to win the state championship, but after all this noise I will be pulling for your son to win it all.

[wrestle2win]

I agree. You have done nothing wrong!!!

I can't believe this is still going. To be honest, someone from "Eddie's camp" did pmail me and ask me to take the video off the front page. I didn't put it there, and I do not have access to take it off. I copied the Admin on the request and also indicated that I was ok with him taking it off the front page. It has been nothing but a distraction for my son with everyone constantly talking to him about it. The fact that it is still there is not my doing.

The only thing I moderate on this website is the message boards, and I try to stay neutral and true to the Admin's rules on use of the message boards. I try to take a hands off approach unless it is clear that something is inappropriate or has violated the rules. I am sensitive to conflicts of interest as a part of my profession so when something involves me, I try to stay out of it and let others handle it, and this is one of those times.

In truth, I would rather my kids be under the radar. I don't think it helps them to be in the spotlight or under a microscope. I thought about taking the video off of YouTube, but then thought of it made me mad. I put it there for friends and family, just like the other videos I put there. Why should I not share it? It was a signicant achievement. If Eddie was just a good wrestler, even a great wrestler, it would not be such a big deal; but he is the best wrestler at the weight. That says alot more about Eddie than my son, who has never achieved anything close to what Eddie has accomplished; but we are proud of what he has achieved. Most of all, we are proud that he wrestles; that he steps back out on the mat after every loss and wrestles as hard as he did before; that he takes the losses with the wins and keeps trying to get better; that he did not give up in that match when he was down 9-2 after only the first period, against the best guy in the state, and he wrestled as hard and as determined as when it was no score after the first whistle.

One of the toughest and most compelling things about wrestling is that a wrestler is all alone out there in the middle of the mat, win or lose. If someone posted a video of a Hail Mary pass to win a football game for an underdog team, and it ended up on the front page of illinoisfootball.com, no one would be claiming that it was disrespectful to the other team. It is the same thing here, except it involves an individual, not a team. But that is wrestling. A wrestler wins or loses all alone on the center of a mat. I dare say my son has experienced far more of the losing part than Eddie has. It is what it is - a great underdog story. That is all. It will likely be forgotten after this weekend (if everyone let's it go softly).

[fanofthemat]

I can't believe this is still going. To be honest, someone from "Eddie's camp" did pmail me and ask me to take the video off the front page. I didn't put it there, and I do not have access to take it off. I copied the Admin on the request and also indicated that I was ok with him taking it off the front page. It has been nothing but a distraction for my son with everyone constantly talking to him about it. The fact that it is still there is not my doing.

The only thing I moderate on this website is the message boards, and I try to stay neutral and true to the Admin's rules on use of the message boards. I try to take a hands off approach unless it is clear that something is inappropriate or has violated the rules. I am sensitive to conflicts of interest as a part of my profession so when something involves me, I try to stay out of it and let others handle it, and this is one of those times.

In truth, I would rather my kids be under the radar. I don't think it helps them to be in the spotlight or under a microscope. I thought about taking the video off of YouTube, but then thought of it made me mad. I put it there for friends and family, just like the other videos I put there. Why should I not share it? It was a signicant achievement. If Eddie was just a good wrestler, even a great wrestler, it would not be such a big deal; but he is the best wrestler at the weight. That says alot more about Eddie than my son, who has never achieved anything close to what Eddie has accomplished; but we are proud of what he has achieved. Most of all, we are proud that he wrestles; that he steps back out on the mat after every loss and wrestles as hard as he did before; that he takes the losses with the wins and keeps trying to get better; that he did not give up in that match when he was down 9-2 after only the first period, against the best guy in the state, and he wrestled as hard and as determined as when it was no score after the first whistle.

One of the toughest and most compelling things about wrestling is that a wrestler is all alone out there in the middle of the mat, win or lose. If someone posted a video of a Hail Mary pass to win a football game for an underdog team, and it ended up on the front page of illinoisfootball.com, no one would be claiming that it was disrespectful to the other team. It is the same thing here, except it involves an individual, not a team. But that is wrestling. A wrestler wins or loses all alone on the center of a mat. I dare say my son has experienced far more of the losing part than Eddie has. It is what it is - a great underdog story. That is all. It will likely be forgotten after this weekend (if everyone let's it go softly).

Don't take it down from the site or youtube. You have done nothing wrong. Great post.

[Jaguar]

I can't believe this is still going. To be honest, someone from "Eddie's camp" did pmail me and ask me to take the video off the front page. I didn't put it there, and I do not have access to take it off. I copied the Admin on the request and also indicated that I was ok with him taking it off the front page. It has been nothing but a distraction for my son with everyone constantly talking to him about it. The fact that it is still there is not my doing.

The only thing I moderate on this website is the message boards, and I try to stay neutral and true to the Admin's rules on use of the message boards. I try to take a hands off approach unless it is clear that something is inappropriate or has violated the rules. I am sensitive to conflicts of interest as a part of my profession so when something involves me, I try to stay out of it and let others handle it, and this is one of those times.

In truth, I would rather my kids be under the radar. I don't think it helps them to be in the spotlight or under a microscope. I thought about taking the video off of YouTube, but then thought of it made me mad. I put it there for friends and family, just like the other videos I put there. Why should I not share it? It was a signicant achievement. If Eddie was just a good wrestler, even a great wrestler, it would not be such a big deal; but he is the best wrestler at the weight. That says alot more about Eddie than my son, who has never achieved anything close to what Eddie has accomplished; but we are proud of what he has achieved. Most of all, we are proud that he wrestles; that he steps back out on the mat after every loss and wrestles as hard as he did before; that he takes the losses with the wins and keeps trying to get better; that he did not give up in that match when he was down 9-2 after only the first period, against the best guy in the state, and he wrestled as hard and as determined as when it was no score after the first whistle.

One of the toughest and most compelling things about wrestling is that a wrestler is all alone out there in the middle of the mat, win or lose. If someone posted a video of a Hail Mary pass to win a football game for an underdog team, and it ended up on the front page of illinoisfootball.com, no one would be claiming that it was disrespectful to the other team. It is the same thing here, except it involves an individual, not a team. But that is wrestling. A wrestler wins or loses all alone on the center of a mat. I dare say my son has experienced far more of the losing part than Eddie has. The first thing Nicholas said to my wife after the Klimara match was that he had to win the next match so Eddie could still wrestle. He felt a responsibility to win that match like it was a burden he was given to carry. I was relieved when he won it, because he looked terrible in that match, and he looked worse in the finals. He was embarrassed for his poor showing in the finals match, and it stung all the more because of the big win over Klimara.

But it is what it is, and he needs to find a way to deal it and to come back and to give his all and wrestle his best. Wrestling is a journey and not a destination. It is not summed up in one great victory or one disappointing defeat. It is the sum of all of the parts. Wrestling is not the goal, or at least it should not be. It is part of who we are, but we are more than that. How we deal with the wins and losses and put it all in perspective and take from it what is good and noble is what will ultimately define who we are, not the wrestling itself. I was tempted to take the video down or to demand that Admin take it down, but that really would not be "right" either. I didn't put it up there, and it is not my wesbite. Neither Eddie nor Nicholas asked for any notoriety, but it comes anyway with being the best wrestler or beating the best wrestler. I don't think I should be apologetic for posting it on youtube or for someone posting it to a thread or for Admin posting it on the front page. It has taken on a life of its own. If some people don't understand that, I don't think I can explain it any better. By the time this weekend is over, it will have faded into memory and will be nothing but a footnote. I wish Eddie, Nicholas and every other wrestler the very best in Champagne this weekend.

[Big Mat]

Great Matches

The year he won it as a freshman, I didn't get to go to state that year. I know it ended at 4-2, but did you see the match with Munster and Spangler, and was it a good one?

I don't want to talk about people losing on the internet!!! It might make them sad. Know i didn't see the match live, but someone probably has it on tape, but won't dare share it now.

[Formerwrestler]

The year he won it as a freshman, I didn't get to go to state that year. I know it ended at 4-2, but did you see the match with Munster and Spangler, and was it a good one?

[Big Mat]

Great Eddie

Answer you? Okay.

How many of those videos did the Klimara family post? I'm going to go with NONE. You let me know how far off I am.

Same behavior. Win or lose. On the mat or off.

It was the biggest story of the weekend, and it received the attention that the biggest story of the weekend receives. The story is still good, but the postings are getting old.

Eddie is a great wrestler, and stands a good chance of wiining the 103 pound championship this week. Eddie, please don't pin, tech., or major anyone this week-end, and everyone, please leave your camera's at home.

[Big Mat]

Munster

munster should be recognized didn't he come up from the low weights where he dominated.. and now is dominating at the middle weight

Munster won it at 119 two years ago as a freshmen. Last year her was in the middle weights, and was upset at the state meet. I don't think he even palced laset year.

[Formerwrestler]

Match is a Match!

A match is a match. People will be showing matches they liked seeing for years and years to come. In the year 2020 people will be watching Tony Ramos having a match with someone. Who cares, thats good, supporting the sport. That video is not disrespectful to that kid at all, its a part of his life that has taken place in wrestling. Its really a good motivator and the only thing I think he is sad about was probably trying to shoot for the goal if he could make it all 4 years undefeated. Now that the loss is out of the way, no longer matters, move forward and have a great chance to win a state title! Then, the ball will be in his court!

[Jethro]

Too stubborn to let it go.