HS wrestler wimps out, won't wrestle girl
- Thread starter Mr. Laser Beam
- Start date
I read this via Fox Sports, and I have to say i admire the kid. Seeing as this was the state playoffs in Iowa, where the sport is beyond revered I'd say this kid displayed an enormous amount of guts in taking his stance. Moreover,
The kid did it out of personal conviction. Why not leave it at that?
The kid did it out of personal conviction. Why not leave it at that?
^ Some call it conviction, I call it chickening out.
Don't leave it at that. Precisely why is it "chickening out" ?
^ He was afraid to wrestle a girl, obviously. What else would it be?
"I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." What the hell is this, 1950?
Then again, he is homeschooled. Guess that explains it.
"I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." What the hell is this, 1950?
Then again, he is homeschooled. Guess that explains it.
^ He was afraid to wrestle a girl, obviously. What else would it be?
"I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." What the hell is this, 1950?
Then again, he is homeschooled. Guess that explains it.
So instead of looking at all the parameters, you're choosing to mock him and make stereotypical criticisms?
What possible 'parameters' could there be? The facts are clearly laid out. The kid defaulted when he learned his opponent was a girl. What else do you need? There's no logical reason to do this; athletes in any sport do what their coaches tell them. If this kid's lucky enough to not get kicked off the team, then fine, but he really dodged a bullet on that one.
On the contrary, there are at least two, maybe three that you keep leaving out:
1.) The where and the when. You default in Iowa in the most important event of your sport, that takes far more integrity and guts than you're giving him credit for. It's not cowardice. It's a matter of principle to give up a more than legitimate shot at the biggest title in your sport.
2.) This kid was a favorite to make it to the finals, apparently. Even though the rules allow him to continue in other ways, he gave up the shot at the championship.
3.) If the AD was cool with it, you can bet the coach will accept it as well.
Why is it so hard for you to entertain the possibility this wrestler defaulted his match based upon a matter of principle?
1.) The where and the when. You default in Iowa in the most important event of your sport, that takes far more integrity and guts than you're giving him credit for. It's not cowardice. It's a matter of principle to give up a more than legitimate shot at the biggest title in your sport.
2.) This kid was a favorite to make it to the finals, apparently. Even though the rules allow him to continue in other ways, he gave up the shot at the championship.
3.) If the AD was cool with it, you can bet the coach will accept it as well.
Why is it so hard for you to entertain the possibility this wrestler defaulted his match based upon a matter of principle?
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So... his personal beliefs are being mocked. Mature.
I am sorry, I didn't mean to sound mocking. It all just sounds kind of sexist, though.
But if this kid is willing to risk that, then he does indeed have guts.
But if this kid is willing to risk that, then he does indeed have guts.
dude . . . the derision is uncalled for.
The kid showed humility, integrity, and respect for his opponent.
I would have done the same.
sure, a boy and a girl can be equally matched physically, and emotionally, but I still wouldn't feel right throwing the same aggression at a girl that I would throw at a guy
I think it's a deeply rooted societal evolutionary trait that shouldn't necessarily be thrown away. We need to respect our differences, not pursue equality at all costs.
The kid showed humility, integrity, and respect for his opponent.
I would have done the same.
sure, a boy and a girl can be equally matched physically, and emotionally, but I still wouldn't feel right throwing the same aggression at a girl that I would throw at a guy
I think it's a deeply rooted societal evolutionary trait that shouldn't necessarily be thrown away. We need to respect our differences, not pursue equality at all costs.
^ But this is wrestling we're talking about. Aggression is normal. If it's so unusual for boys to wrestle girls, why is it even allowed at all?
Would it really be any different if the issue was race and not gender? I seem to remember this being a problem after Jackie Robinson made the major leagues (at least one team threatened to strike over that). Would it have been so principled for opposing teams to refuse to play against a team which had a black player?
Yes, it would be different. Gender brings with it clear physiological differences which cannot be argued, characteristics that can and will affect results to the point of severe injury. That's why you have separate leagues in basketball pretty much everywhere, and separate wrestling leagues in states like California.
If I were a healthy teenager in that young man's position, I'd refuse to wrestle a girl because I'd be afraid I might get an erection.
Unless the girl is really butt-ugly.
Seriously, mixed-sex wrestling belongs in the realm of novelty entertainment and internet porn.
Unless the girl is really butt-ugly.
Seriously, mixed-sex wrestling belongs in the realm of novelty entertainment and internet porn.
I sympathize with the thought process here, but I find it very misguided. If I were her, I'd be insulted.
This was a sporting event open to boys and girls. The one thing he most certainly did not do was show respect for his opponent. By denying her a fair match, he only served to belittle her and imply that he regarded her as a lesser or weaker opponent.
No worse, an unworthy opponent. This reminds me of Iranian athletes refusing to compete with Israelis. If the tournament rules allow women to compete he should get over himself and do it, or stop wrestling completely.
To each their own. You may not agree with his convictions, but in the end this young man did not back out from fear. Instead, he stayed true to his beliefs, in which he felt was honoring her. Her father was not offended, though we don't know what she personally felt. The boy lost a chance at the greatest honor in his sport to date, yet by doing so retains a sense of personal honor. That's rather refreshing in today's world of high school sports.
