By 2005, I had attended 27 straight State "A" High School wrestling
tournaments. Whether it's just my own personality or an addiction, I love the
energy and feel of State tournaments, no matter the sport. Wrestling just
happens to be my favorite. Each venue has its own positive and negative traits.
By far my least favorite place to attend is the Sioux Falls Arena. They
practically strip-search you to make sure you aren't bringing in any contraband
of food, drink, gum, tic-tacs or the like. Nothing is allowed inside the arena
that the precious cash-cow of concessions can provide at an astronomically high
price. I'm not kidding. They actually shut off the water supply to the public
fountains located all over the arena. If you need a little sip of water for your
dry mouth after yelling for your team, you are going to pay $7.50 for a little
bottle of water they bought in bulk for 12.5 cents each. I've seen signs in the
bathrooms by the sinks stating that it was not potable water flowing from the
faucets. I can wash my hands with it, but not drink it? It might work as a
deterrent for some, but even I'm not that gullible.
In contrast, Rapid City is much nicer to attend as a spectator. It seems much easier to go in and out without hassle. They have much lower prices on food and drink, and an overall warmer, friendly atmosphere. Even with reserved seating, which is in the balcony, you can still go to the main floor and get close to the mat to cheer on a wrestler. In Sioux Falls you would likely be tazered by security for attempting to get near the main floor. It's an exciting thing to be that close to the action. Although, there was one time when I wish I wasn't allowed mat-side.
That year I took my daughter Kristin and son Bobby along. I don't remember what Bobby wore that first day, but I will never as long as I live forget what Kristin was wearing. She wore blue jeans and a grey hoodie. As soon as we got inside, the kids found their people and went their separate ways. I hooked up with my buddy Rob and we immediately went into expert fan mode. The referee's, coaches and athletes always seem to need our expert advice and one point or another.
At one point during the first session we moved to the far north mat because a Winner kid was getting ready to wrestle there. Rob and I walked as close to the mat as we could for better viewing. As we approached, I noticed Kristin right in front of me. She was holding a digital camera and was videoing the match that was just finishing. I thought, "She has a crush on a wrestler from another town and borrowed a camera to get pictures. I'm going to embarrass her and let her know that I caught her"
I snuck up behind her and peeked over her shoulder for a bit. She didn't notice. So I just leaned over from behind and planted a big ol' daddy kiss on the top of her head. I made a huge *MMMMMMSMOUCH sound as I did it too.
She turned around, but it wasn't Kristin. The blood flow to my face was instant. I was in shock at first and then said, "Oh God, I thought you were my daughter, I'm sooo sorry. Oh my, you look just like her from behind. No, I mean..."
I looked over at Rob, whose face was also red from laughing so hard, then back to the girl. She just rolled her eyes, turned around and didn't say a thing. I quickly left the building and ran to the adjacent motel. I changed clothes, put contacts in and donned a baseball cap as to not be identified by what I was sure would be a platoon of police waiting for me at the arena.
Apparently, there was a student manager from Milbank with the exact same hair, height, hoodie and jeans as Kristin. Milbank was nice enough to place their fan section right next to Winner's the entire time. Every hour or so, I would see that girl talking to someone and pointing at me. I'm sure they had quite a nickname for me by the end of the tournament.
In contrast, Rapid City is much nicer to attend as a spectator. It seems much easier to go in and out without hassle. They have much lower prices on food and drink, and an overall warmer, friendly atmosphere. Even with reserved seating, which is in the balcony, you can still go to the main floor and get close to the mat to cheer on a wrestler. In Sioux Falls you would likely be tazered by security for attempting to get near the main floor. It's an exciting thing to be that close to the action. Although, there was one time when I wish I wasn't allowed mat-side.
That year I took my daughter Kristin and son Bobby along. I don't remember what Bobby wore that first day, but I will never as long as I live forget what Kristin was wearing. She wore blue jeans and a grey hoodie. As soon as we got inside, the kids found their people and went their separate ways. I hooked up with my buddy Rob and we immediately went into expert fan mode. The referee's, coaches and athletes always seem to need our expert advice and one point or another.
At one point during the first session we moved to the far north mat because a Winner kid was getting ready to wrestle there. Rob and I walked as close to the mat as we could for better viewing. As we approached, I noticed Kristin right in front of me. She was holding a digital camera and was videoing the match that was just finishing. I thought, "She has a crush on a wrestler from another town and borrowed a camera to get pictures. I'm going to embarrass her and let her know that I caught her"
I snuck up behind her and peeked over her shoulder for a bit. She didn't notice. So I just leaned over from behind and planted a big ol' daddy kiss on the top of her head. I made a huge *MMMMMMSMOUCH sound as I did it too.
She turned around, but it wasn't Kristin. The blood flow to my face was instant. I was in shock at first and then said, "Oh God, I thought you were my daughter, I'm sooo sorry. Oh my, you look just like her from behind. No, I mean..."
I looked over at Rob, whose face was also red from laughing so hard, then back to the girl. She just rolled her eyes, turned around and didn't say a thing. I quickly left the building and ran to the adjacent motel. I changed clothes, put contacts in and donned a baseball cap as to not be identified by what I was sure would be a platoon of police waiting for me at the arena.
Apparently, there was a student manager from Milbank with the exact same hair, height, hoodie and jeans as Kristin. Milbank was nice enough to place their fan section right next to Winner's the entire time. Every hour or so, I would see that girl talking to someone and pointing at me. I'm sure they had quite a nickname for me by the end of the tournament.
No comments:
Post a Comment