Sub-Regional Wrestling

After a long week of limited food intake Jaren made the 114 lbs mark for the Sub-Regional Wrestling Tournament. It was a week of eating high protein, limited carbs and NO sugars. One night for dinner consisted of a glass of Chocolate milk while another consisted of a hard boiled egg. I'm not sure how he survived the whole thing but he was driven like I'd never seen him before. The week also included regular practices at the gym learning offense and defense moves and strategies.

Finally Friday was upon us and Jaren felt confident. Mike and I were nervous for the tournament after having researched past tournaments and meet to find the records of those who Jaren would wrestle. I really don't recommend this as it only adds to ones nervousness. Jaren's first match would be against a local kid from Shadle Park, but his second match was to be against the no. 1 seed from Sunnyside High School. These two had met last year in the same tournament and Jaren had won in overtime.

So off to Mead High we went to witness what turned out to be a very exciting evening. Jaren was confident and took to the mat for his first match. A win by Pin in only 18 seconds! Followed by a win by decision of 13 to 8. Mike, Zoe and I were on our feet the whole time as we watched Jaren take control of the matches.

Saturday morning would be tough for Jaren as he had to go against his own team mate in a semi-final match. No body knew what would happen in this match as Casey (the Varsity 112 for East Valley) had wrestled well all year and had not lost in this tournament yet also. If Jaren were to win this match he would meet the No. 5 kid in the State from Rogers High School. It was the second match of the day, Jaren and Casey took to the mat to see what would happen. Jaren took control of the situation and won by Tech 15 to 0. It's always tough to wrestle your own team mate and all you can do as a spectator is watch and wait for the outcome.
Now Jaren has to wait 'till 5 pm to wrestle in the Championship round.
Jaren's "Golden Ticket" to the Championship round!

The whole tournament takes place in a gym with five mats all joined together and there are matches on every mat all day long. When they prepare for the Championship round all the mats are taken away and two are left in the center of the gym. One for the 3-A schools and one for the 4-A schools. A light is lowered from the ceiling and spectators move and rearrange their seating to get the best view of their schools competitors. The MC will announce each wrestler as their match comes up and tells about their accomplishments in the wrestling world. The excitement is high as we wait. Jaren is in the second weight class so there is not too much time to wait.

Just prior to final round with fellow team mates and coaches.

As they take to the mat and the start whistle goes we are nervous to see what will happen. Jaren wrestled strong and hung in there with this kid. Unfortunately after regulation time we are tied up at 4 to 4. So we will have to go into overtime. The first to score points will win. They stumble to the mat and the Rogers kid makes it on top first so the match is over and he gets the 2 points for the take down. Jaren gave it his all and took 2nd in the tournament! We are so proud of him and are so grateful for the support of family, friends, coaches and fellow East Valley Wrestlers and their parents.

Jaren 2nd and Casey (team mate) 3rd

Sunday evening the rankings came out and Jaren is ranked 6th in the State in the 112 lbs weight class. What a great accomplishment. Hopefully this will give him the confidence to wrestle tough in next weeks Regional Tournament in Yakima!