It is quit the accomplishment to make it to Semistate and if you go further it 's the ultimate goal that all wrestlers strive for. From the first time they put on the head gear it is every wrestlers dream to go to Conseco. For those that do not advance to state, take pride in making it to Semistate because there are far more that do not make it that far.
Beyond all of the where did I place or how far did I go in the tournament or who made it instead of me. Think back on what you have overcome and how this sport has affected your life and what you have learned about yourself. Years down the road the ribbons, the medals the big poster board with the bracket on them will only be a memory, the glory will have fadded, no one will know your name. But the leasons you have learned will remain. Life is just as tough if not tougher than wrestling, you can go to college and have the best grade point average be top of your class, get a great job and then the company down sizes and your job that you trained for is gone. But you the wrestler have learned to overcome or accept these setbacks and know you can overcome them as you have done it before by working hard to overcome your next opponent.
Never give up the dedication that you have given this sport. Instead use this drive and dedication to drive your life. Years down the road you will realize what wrestling has done for you and maybe just maybe you will have the chance to give something back, maybe your son or daughter or through coaching. But one day you will know that you made it to where you are because of your decision to be a Wrestler.