Covering a state wrestling tournament

Feature type stories are great for this type. I've learned that wrestling and swimming both are like that. You can always add a NOTES section to the end of your piece to maybe mention some other performances.

 

I've got to say, if you can get that kind of preparation over the course of the year -- like daytonadan, having the beat on the state's "newspaper of record" -- it's great to come into states. Our previous guy, who was and remains one of Pennsylvania's all-time wrestling gurus, would actually fill out the entire bracket before the tournament with another guy and have a competition. It would be amazing how accurate they were, right through the wrestlebacks.

 

I sure am glad you and I don't work together. Covering state wrestling isn't the worst thing in the world.

 

Dude.

Someone needs a hug. Or a drink. Or both.

 

Once the wrestlers have weighed in for the day, they have no reason to cut weight and run around spitting into garbage cans, so you should be safe. ... However, they may puke in them after a rough match, though.

 

... and never, never use "however" and "though" in the same sentence.

 

See, simply ranting about the state wrestling tournament on a message board causes my brain to turn into goo.

 

The feeling is mutual.

I can't believe nobody shares my hatred for state wrestling tournaments. If I actually enjoyed covering this travesty, my editor would fire me. And I wouldn't blame him.

 

Ric:

I enjoyed it. That's just me.

Now, the final night, I was all "get me the hell out of here" after four days but I had two fellow stringers to commiserate with as well as our distinguished competition.....

 

What can I say? I like covering wrestling. But I can understand it's not everyone's cup of tea...

 

So I've got another state wrestling tournament under my belt. Here were the highlights:

-- Within 5 minutes of getting there, an upset wrestler threw a tantrum and launched a bottle of water against a wall. Of course, the bottle exploded and soaked the back of my shirt. His coaches just stood there in silence.

-- One wrestler bit another wrestler during a match.

-- A head coach had to be escorted off the floor by security after a meltdown at a referee. He later had to be thrown out of the arena by the police after making a scene and going at a high school league official.

The state wrestling tournament is the worst.

 

Yeah ... I sure wouldn't assign you to it again.